On this Day - 29th May (2021)
Final passenger service of a Pacer

Shown by day of year • Select ((here)) to sort by year

29th May
Final passenger service of a Pacer	2021 (Saturday)	discussion	wales
Paddington Station Opened	1854 (Monday)
27th May
Opening of Great Hall at Euston	1849 (Sunday)		wikipedia
25th May
authoristion of East Cornwall Mineral Railway	1871 (Thursday)		saltash
British Airways and Southern Railway launched scheduled flights from Gatwick to the IOW	1936 (Monday)
24th May
Members of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers vote overwhelmingly in favour of strike action, paving the way for the first national rail strike since 1994	2021 (Monday)
Falkirk Wheel opens	2002 (Friday)
22nd May
First steam locomotive to operate on Mull	1983 (Sunday)	discussion	archive
20th May
Publication of Great British Railways - The Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail	2021 (Thursday)	discussion
Last broad gauge train from London to Penzance	1892 (Friday)	discussion	nrmfriends orpheusweb
19th May
Oscar Wilde is released from Reading Jail	1897 (Wednesday)
LMS Coronation Class 46236 City of Bradford on GWR	1948 (Wednesday)	discussion	wikipedia
18th May
Trying to take his horse on the train	2011 (Wednesday)	discussion	theguardian metro sciencemuseumgr...
17th May
First through trains Exeter to Plymouth via Okehampton and Tavistock	1876 (Wednesday)	discussion
16th May
~ Railway Technical Centre, Derby, opens	1964 (Saturday)		wikipedia
15th May
Tom Harris announces £5000 per CRP	2008 (Thursday)		railwayeye
1S76 - Brighon and Eastbourne to Glasgow	1989 (Monday)	discussion	1s76
14th May
first Tal-y-llyn trains run under preservation	1951 (Monday)	discussion	talyllyn
13th May
Melksham Station reopened	1985 (Monday)	discussion
Bournemouth Trolley Bus opened	1933 (Saturday)		yellowbuses
12th May
First "Thomas the Tank Engine" book published	1945 (Saturday)	discussion	wikipedia
New station - Winnersh Triangle	1986 (Monday)	discussion
New station - Tiverton Parkway	1986 (Monday)	discussion
11th May
Last commercial boat - Thames and Severn summit	1911 (Thursday)	discussion	cotswoldcanals
Westbury reduced to 3 platforms	1984 (Friday)	discussion	signallingnotices
Station opens, Lake (IOW)	1987 (Monday)	discussion
Lynton and Barnstaple opened	1898 (Wednesday)	discussion
9th May
Train of feathers delivered to Melksham	1928 (Wednesday)	discussion	wiltshiretimes
City of Truro, 102 mph	1904 (Monday)	discussion	railhistory wikipedia
8th May
BR rationalises and largely kills wet fish traffic	1964 (Friday)	discussion	bloodandcustard
7th May
Day 1, All The Stations	2017 (Sunday)	discussion	youtube
6th May
First run of Clansman	1974 (Monday)		whitropesiding
First tweet from GWR/FGW	2011 (Friday)		twitter
DfT / SRA future service level discussion	2005 (Friday)		savethetrain
Channel Tunnel opened	1994 (Friday)
Trains between Exeter and Plymouth via Okehampton withdrawn	1968 (Monday)
5th May
Blue Pullman farewell tour	1973 (Saturday)		railcar
4th May
First WECA Mayor elected	2017 (Thursday)		thebritishacademy
Festival of Britain opens to public	1951 (Friday)		historic-uk
3rd May
Lochluichart new station opens	1954 (Monday)	discussion	wikipedia
~ Just one working lower quadrant distant signal left	2018 (Thursday)	discussion	railwayworld
2nd May
Last special train to Weymouth Quay	1999 (Sunday)		wikipedia
Wilton South station opened	1859 (Monday)
Royal Albert Bridge opens	1859 (Monday)
1st May
Bristol Parkway station opens	1972 (Monday)
Amtrak founded	1971 (Saturday)		amtrak
Helicopter service from Penzance to Scilly Isles starts	1964 (Friday)
Inauguaral non stop "Flying Scotsman" London to Edinburgh	1928 (Tuesday)
Great Exhibition opens	1851 (Thursday)		wikipedia
30th April
Brighton Belle withdrawn	1972 (Sunday)	discussion	brightonbelle
29th April
Patent award for Janney (Buckeye) coupling	1973 (Sunday)		wikipedia wikipedia
Bristol Bus Boycott announced	1963 (Monday)		blackhistorymonth
28th April
GNER franchise (Sea Containers) starts on ECML	1996 (Sunday)		wikipedia
26th April
DOO strikes start on Southern	2016 (Tuesday)	discussion	wikipedia
21st April
Battery Multiple Unit enters public service	1958 (Monday)	discussion	railcar
20th April
Opening of Sapperton Canal Tunnel	1789 (Monday)
19th April
Foundation, Beatties of London	1938 (Tuesday)	discussion	wikipedia
18th April
SEWWEB leaflet launched and Aztec West	2018 (Wednesday)	discussion	forum
Melksham Station closed	1966 (Monday)	discussion
17th April
Formation Committee Meeting, TransWilts CRP	2010 (Saturday)	discussion	wellho
16th April
~ Tulyar arrives at Swanley New Barn Railway	1987 (Thursday)	discussion	steamdriver weebly
15th April
~ Introduction of first Motor Luggage Van	1959 (Wednesday)	discussion	wikipedia
13th April
First (broad gauge) train ran complete line from Oxford via Worcester to Wolverhampton	1854 (Thursday)	discussion	wikipedia
12th April
London Transport bans bus advert	2012 (Thursday)
11th April
Mystery tour from Worksop (Eastbourne)	1977 (Monday)		sixbellsjunction
10th April
Scottish Golf by Train website registered	2014 (Thursday)	discussion	scottishgolfbyt...
9th April
Rail to Refuge goes nationwide	2020 (Thursday)		raildeliverygroup
8th April
XPT passenger trains enter service in Australia	1982 (Thursday)		wikipedia
6th April
Two Tunnels cycleway opens	2013 (Saturday)	discussion	bbc twotunnels
5th April
Ballast Dust working group publications	2016 (Tuesday)		networkrail
First passenger train - South Devon Railway	1969 (Saturday)		wikipedia
4th April
Release of Great St Trinians Train Robbery	1966 (Monday)		wikipedia
Railway Clerks Union (now TSSA) formed	1897 (Sunday)		documentcloud tssa
3rd April
Wick and Lybster Railway closed	1944 (Monday)	discussion	wikipedia
1st April
SEWWEB - An April Fool that makes sense	2018 (Sunday)	discussion	sewweb sewweb
National Senior Railcard introduced	1975 (Tuesday)		wikipedia
Wessex Trains, Thames Trains and Great Western combined into single franchise	2006 (Saturday)
31st March
Last run of 4EPB	1995 (Friday)		youtube youtube
Last day of CAPRI; replaced by LENNON	2002 (Sunday)		wikipedia
30th March
Cycle Hire available at Melksham Station	2021 (Tuesday)	discussion
"Person hit by train" forum advice thread started	2010 (Tuesday)	discussion	forum
29th March
Foundation of National Union or Railwaymen	1913 (Saturday)		wikipedia
28th March
Formal end to carrying coffins by BR	1988 (Monday)		wikipedia
Bideford, Westward Ho! and Appledore closed	1917 (Wednesday)		wikipedia
MOD Kineton tour, branch line society	1992 (Saturday)		rogerfarnworth
Woman found murdered on Orpington to London train	1988 (Monday)		wikipedia
27th March
Publication of Beeching Report	1963 (Wednesday)	discussion	wikipedia
26th March
Britain's last trolley bus system (Bradford) closes	1972 (Sunday)
launch of TransWilts Community Rail Partnership	2010 (Friday)		savethetrain
Swindon Works closed	1986 (Wednesday)
ERTMS goes operational across Cambrian lines	2011 (Saturday)		wikipedia ertms
25th March
Thames Tunnel opens to public	1843 (Saturday)		wikipedia
23rd March
Lockdown - Covid-19	2020 (Monday)
Bluebell Railway services start to East Grinstead	2013 (Saturday)
22nd March
Closure - Cononley station	1965 (Monday)	discussion	wikipedia
21st March
Runaway Mine Train opens at Alton Towers	1992 (Saturday)		wikipedia
20th March
Warrington bomb in rubbish bin leads to removal of rubbish bins from railway stations	1993 (Saturday)	discussion	wikipedia
~ Most expensive Totem at Auction?	2021 (Saturday)	discussion	gwra
18th March
Naming of "Evening Star"	1960 (Friday)		wikipedia
17th March
~ Research into use of TVMs	2018 (Saturday)		gov
16th March
~ Cook's European timetable first published	1873 (Sunday)		wikipedia
15th March
Bus Back Better launched	2021 (Monday)	discussion
14th March
Baku Children's Railway construction starts	1947 (Friday)	discussion	wikipedia
Ferryhill turntable back in use	2019 (Thursday)	discussion	frht
13th March
Website of the week - Man in seat 61	2004 (Saturday)	discussion	seat61
12th March
First narrow gauge train over Croesor crossing	2009 (Thursday)	discussion	welshhighlandhe...
11th March
Formation of Cotswold Line Promotion Group	1978 (Saturday)	discussion	clpg
Opening of Clifton Rocks Railway	1893 (Saturday)	discussion	cliftonrocksrai...
Penzance Station opened	1852 (Thursday)	discussion	wikipedia
10th March
FGW make all trains no smoking	2000 (Friday)	discussion	forum
9th March
Rail industry confirms future potential demand for new trains and carriages	2015 (Monday)	discussion	eversholtrail
8th March
Leader - Bullied expresses confidence	1950 (Wednesday)		sremg
First "Where is this" picture quiz	2007 (Thursday)	discussion	forum
Seaton Tramway extension Colyton to Colyford	1980 (Saturday)	discussion	wikipedia
7th March
The Western Region of British Railways closes the former Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway	1966 (Monday)	discussion	bbc wikipedia
Passenger services withdrawn from Wilton South	1966 (Monday)	discussion	wikipedia
6th March
Ffriog Cutting accident - lead to avalache shelter	1933 (Monday)	discussion	historypoints ambaile
5th March
First passenger train (heritage) Alderney	1980 (Wednesday)	discussion	alderneyrailway
3rd March
Race across the world	2019 (Sunday)	discussion	wikipedia
2nd edition of GRIP process	2012 (Saturday)	discussion	networkrail railengineer
2nd March
TravelWatch SouthWest - final pre-covid in real life general meeting	2020 (Monday)	discussion	travelwatchsout...
Withdrawal of passenger services Swindon to Highworth	1952 (Sunday)	discussion	wikipedia
Callington Station opened	1908 (Monday)	discussion
1st March
Civil Aviation Authority established	1972 (Wednesday)	discussion	wikipedia wickersworld
Opening of Defiance Halt	1905 (Wednesday)	discussion	saltash
Opening of Listowel and Ballybunion Railway	1888 (Thursday)	discussion	monorails rogerfarnworth
29th February
Cholsey and Moulesford opened and Moulsworth (Wallingford Road) closed	1892 (Monday)
28th February
Greta Thunberg in Bristol	2020 (Friday)	discussion	bbc forum
Moorgate Tube disaster	1975 (Friday)	discussion	london-fire railmagazine
First order placed for Brush 47 locomotives	1961 (Tuesday)	discussion	wikipedia worldwiderails
Last day of service - Acton Town to South Acton	1959 (Saturday)	discussion	wikipedia
27th February
1st transport of French Jews to Nazi Germany	1942 (Friday)	discussion	onthisday encyclopedia
26th February
Midwinter Lull?	2022 (Saturday)	discussion
25th February
Swindon Works authorised	1841 (Thursday)	discussion	swindonweb
24th February
< King William Street station closed	1900 (Saturday)
Paddington Bear statue unveiled	2000 (Thursday)	discussion	wikipedia
23rd February
GoCo rebrands Go-Op	2012 (Thursday)	discussion	go-op swindonadvertiser
22nd February
GoCo proposal - class 50 Yeovil to Oxford	2011 (Tuesday)	discussion	forum
21st February
< First locomotive-hauled railway journey, Trevithick, Penydarren	1804 (Tuesday)
The last shunting horse to work on British Rail, "Charlie" at Newmarket, is retired.	1967 (Tuesday)	discussion	pinterest booksandmud
20th February
Final closure of Swindon panel	2016 (Saturday)	discussion	forum swindonpanel
19th February
Know your stations quiz	2017 (Sunday)	discussion
18th February
Various Railway Accidents	1902 (Tuesday)	discussion	forum
17th February
Introduction of London congestion charge	2003 (Monday)	discussion	wikipedia
First diesel express from Paddington	1958 (Monday)	discussion	bbc
16th February
Weekend returns avaiable on The Midland	1907 (Saturday)	discussion
15th February
Initial journey - Jellicoe Express	1917 (Thursday)	discussion	londonremembers theorkneynews
14th February
Last train to call at Bicester TOWN	2014 (Friday)
Great Marlow renamed to Marlow	1889 (Thursday)
13th February
First test firing of rail mounted gun - Elam Valley	1941 (Thursday)	discussion	disused-stations wikipedia wikipedia
12th February
Western Pathfinder (D1001) build date	1962 (Monday)	discussion	westernlocomoti... wikipedia
Curry Rivel to Castle Cary opened to freight	1906 (Monday)	discussion	wikipedia
11th February
Appeal for funds for Gladstone	1927 (Friday)	discussion	stephensonloco
Kilmersdon Colliery opens	1875 (Thursday)	discussion	wikipedia theimportanceof... irsociety
10th February
Harold Wood - Brentwood accident	1941 (Monday)	discussion	railwaysarchive wikipedia
9th February
Blockage through snow - Aviemore to Forres	1963 (Saturday)	discussion	derbysulzers
8th February
< London Necropolis railway station resited	1902 (Saturday)		wikipedia wikipedia
Swansea to Carmarthen doubled	1853 (Tuesday)	discussion	wikipedia broadgauge
7th February
Timber Ferrybridge replace by steel bridge	1909 (Sunday)	discussion	portlandhistory
Formation of ASLEF	1880 (Saturday)	discussion	nationalarchives
Boiler explosion, Gloucester	1855 (Wednesday)	discussion	firstgreatweste... railwaysarchive wikipedia
6th February
Class 151 in service	1986 (Thursday)	discussion	traintesting traintesting
Document archive added to Coffee Shop	2021 (Saturday)	discussion	forum
5th February
< Closure - Alton to Fareham	1955 (Saturday)
Foundation meeting, heritage railway to Minehead	1971 (Friday)	discussion	mineheadraillin... wikipedia
4th February
Dawlish Washout	2014 (Tuesday)	discussion	forum
South West Trains franchise starts	1996 (Sunday)	discussion	stagecoachgroup
Great Western Intercity franchise commences	1996 (Sunday)	discussion	wikipedia wikipedia
Newquay to Chacewater line closes	1963 (Monday)	discussion
Newquay to Chacewater line opens	1905 (Saturday)	discussion
3rd February
First Ghan passenger train reached Darwin	2004 (Tuesday)	discussion	northernterritory wikipedia
2nd February
Children under 5 occupying seats	2012 (Thursday)	discussion
1st February
Shuttle Columbia breaks up on re-entry	2003 (Saturday)	discussion	wikipedia
31st January
"Princess Victoria" capsized off Stanraer, 133 die	1953 (Saturday)	discussion	historic-uk belfasttelegraph wikipedia bbc
30th January
Great Western Railway Temperance Union	1890 (Thursday)	discussion	turniprail wikipedia
29th January
"Western Fusilier" rail tour - Paddington to Hereford	1977 (Saturday)	discussion	sixbellsjunction wikimedia
Holborn Viaduct station closes	1990 (Monday)	discussion	disused-stations
28th January
First posts on the Coffee Shop forum	2007 (Sunday)	discussion	forum
27th January
Torbay Tramway closed because of snow	1910 (Thursday)	discussion	wikipedia tramwayinfo
26th January
firstgreatwestern.info domain registered	2007 (Friday)	discussion	forum
25th January
FGW announces link with Singapore Airlines	2014 (Saturday)	discussion	futuretravelexp...
24th January
More Train Less Strain call on Ruth Kelly to remove franchise from FGW	2008 (Thursday)	discussion	forum dailymail
Hansard on First Great Western	2007 (Wednesday)	discussion	parliament
23rd January
Start of 6 weeks of snowfall	1947 (Thursday)	discussion	metoffice wikipedia
22nd January
Sailpowered Rail	1830 (Friday)	discussion	douglas-self wikipedia
Amtrak New York to Tampa ends	1995 (Sunday)
Famous Train Royal Mail stamps	1985 (Tuesday)	discussion	collectgbstamps
Initial meeting - Women in Community Rail	2016 (Friday)	discussion	wicr
21st January
Early reference to Go-Co	2011 (Friday)	discussion	forum paulgosling
20th January
Opening of Yeovil Pen Mill - Weymouth line	1857 (Tuesday)	discussion	wikipedia
19th January
Heathrow Junction Station opens and receives first train	1998 (Monday)	discussion	wikipedia ianvisits
Trend to bring back barriers is damaging the customer experience	2008 (Saturday)	discussion	wikipedia yorkpress news
18th January
Closure Ruabon to Morfa Mawddach	1965 (Monday)	discussion	wikipedia
17th January
~ Byron Bay Railroad Company launched its solar train	2018 (Wednesday)	discussion	bridgestone
16th January
Winter of discontent - 24 hour rail strike	1979 (Tuesday)	discussion	libcom wikipedia
15th January
RoSCo Eversholt changes hands	2015 (Thursday)	discussion	wikipedia eversholtrail
14th January
Strategic Rail Authority unveils 10 year plan	2002 (Monday)	discussion	theguardian
13th January
Groupsaves on Ticket Machines	2012 (Friday)	discussion	travel forum
12th January
A quiet day in previous years	2009 (Monday)	discussion
11th January
TVM - a fair weather facility?	2012 (Wednesday)	discussion	forum
10th January
Defibrillators discussion pack published by Network Rail	2017 (Tuesday)	discussion	networkrail theargus
Metropolitain line opened from Paddington	1863 (Saturday)		gov
9th January
Incorporation of Railway Development Society Ltd (now Railfuture)	2004 (Friday)	discussion	railwaydevelopm... railfuture
8th January
Cannon Street buffer stop collision	1991 (Tuesday)	discussion	wikipedia
7th January
Closure of Upwey Wishing Well Halt	1957 (Monday)	discussion	opcdorset dorsetecho
6th January
Hixon Railway accident	1968 (Saturday)	discussion	railwaysarchive forum wikipedia
5th January
Last service - Swansea and Mumbles Tramway	1960 (Tuesday)	discussion	walesonline
4th January
Portishead (New) station opened	1954 (Monday)	discussion	portisheadrailw...
3rd January
Cheltenham (St James) station closes	1966 (Monday)	discussion	wikipedia
Full electric passenger services start, West Coast Main Line to Manchester and Liverpool	1966 (Monday)	discussion	wikipedia
2nd January
< Formation of Railway Clearing House	1842 (Sunday)		wikipedia
Line from Bala to Blaenau Ffestiniog closed to passenger services	1960 (Saturday)	discussion	wikipedia
1st January
Grouping of railways into four major companies - GWR, SR, LNER and LMS	1923 (Monday)	discussion	wikipedia railwaysarchive
Foundation of British Railways - nationalisation	1948 (Thursday)		wikipedia
Reading (Southern) electrified	1939 (Sunday)	discussion	wikipedia
"Murder on the Orient Express" published	1934 (Monday)		wikipedia

About "on this day"

"On this day" looks back at this day in history for rail and other public and sustainable public transport users in the Thames Valley, South West of England and South Wales, with one eye open to topics of wider interest. On most mornings, you'll find a new headline and article link above, perhaps a picture too.

Some exact dates are lost in history, and you'll occasionally find an item marked "~" for "about". Please let us know if you have an accurate date for these, or if you have an event which you feel we should add, or a correction. The best place for this is our discussion forum, but by all means use other contact methods if you like.