On this Day - 1st December (1933)
First (press trip) run of a GWR diesel railcar


Travel and transport with an emphasis on the South West of the British Isles, and on rail, other public and sustainable transport

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1st December
First (press trip) run of a GWR diesel railcar
1933
(Friday)
discussionwikipedia
First passenger train through Severn Tunnel
1886
(Wednesday)
discussionwikipedia

30th November
Cyclist killed by lorry
1936
(Monday)
discussionstatista

29th November
TransPennine Electrification Announced
2011
(Tuesday)
discussionfacebook

28th November
Closure of Abbotsbury branch
1952
(Friday)
discussiondorsetecho

26th November
Great Storm
1703
(Monday)
discussionwikipedia
historytoday
onlinelibrary
rmg

25th November
Reading Station redevelopment nears competion
1899
(Saturday)
discussion 

24th November
Head on collision Between Pontrhydyfen and Cwmavon
1960
(Thursday)
discussionrailwaysarchive

23rd November
Closure of line from Pilning to Severn Beach to passenger services
1964
(Monday)
discussioncom

21st November
Canoe River Train Crash
1950
(Tuesday)
discussiontherockymountai...

20th November
Restoration of service to Okehampton
2021
(Saturday)
discussion 

19th November
Last boat train to Stranraer
2011
(Saturday)
discussion 
Montreal and Lachine Railroad Opened
1847
(Friday)
 thecanadianency...

18th November
Railmotor trips to Looe
2012
(Sunday)
discussionsaltash

17th November
Post from Wuppertal
2022
(Thursday)
discussion 

16th November
Foundation of ancestor organsiation to Railfuture
1951
(Friday)
discussionrailfuture

15th November
first revenue earning container train
1965
(Monday)
discussionwikipedia
railmagazine

14th November
Railway Mission founded
1881
(Monday)
discussionsciencemuseumgr...
First Eurostar service leaves Waterloo (International)
1994
(Monday)
discussionwikipedia

13th November
Final Eurostar service leaves Waterloo (International)
2007
(Tuesday)
discussion 

12th November
Incline lift opens at Greenford
2015
(Thursday)
 fourway

11th November
Hitachi and Eversholt Rail develop battery for a GWR intercity battery hybrid train trial
2021
(Thursday)
 eversholtrail
~ Opening of Centre for Applied Technology
1973
(Sunday)
 wikipedia

8th November
Launch of Peel 50 and Moulton bicycle
1962
(Thursday)
 moultonbuzz
britishpathe

7th November
Westinghouse Brake and Signal Company registered
1881
(Monday)
 gracesguide

6th November
Demolition of Doric Arch, Euston
1961
(Monday)
 heritagecalling

5th November
Pilning Station Footbridge removed
2016
(Saturday)
discussionfosbr
Railways Act receives royal assent
1993
(Friday)
discussionwikipedia
org

4th November
Final edition, Great Britain Bus Timetable
2000
(Saturday)
  
Major reorganisation of buses in the Trowbridge area
1979
(Sunday)
 warminstervbrd

2nd November
Watford Gap and Newport Pagnell, opened with temporary facilities
1959
(Monday)
 wikipedia

1st November
Isle of Wight line reopens with class 484 trains
2021
(Monday)
 wikipedia
Diesel train speed record - class 43 / HST, East Coast Main Line, 148 mph
1987
(Sunday)
 wikipedia
Tintern Station opened
1876
(Wednesday)
  
Requirement to provide a daily train at 1d per mile max
1844
(Friday)
 wikipedia

31st October
Last run of "Night Ferry"
1980
(Friday)
discussionwikipedia
Closure of Longmoor Military Railway
1969
(Friday)
 wikipedia
Birth of Colonel Holman Fred Stephens
1868
(Saturday)
discussionnorthsomersetti...

29th October
Bristol Industrial Museum closes
2006
(Sunday)
 bristolindustri...
Transport Analysis Guidance published by DfT
2013
(Tuesday)
 gov

28th October
Inaugural run - Spirit of Queensland
2013
(Monday)
 wikipedia

27th October
last cross Channel ferry from Southampton
1996
(Sunday)
 wikipedia

26th October
Coffee Shop Facebook page created
2018
(Friday)
discussionfacebook
Bus deregulation
1986
(Sunday)
 wikipedia

25th October
Severn Bridge Disaster
1960
(Tuesday)
 severntales
Open access operator Lumo starts - London to Edinburgh
2021
(Monday)
 lumo

24th October
Concorde retires
2003
(Friday)
 wikipedia

23rd October
First narrow gauge steam train in UK
1853
(Sunday)
discussionfacebook
festipedia
Foundation for Railway Heritage Trust
1984
(Tuesday)
discussionrailwayheritage...
Opening of Birkenhead (Monks Ferry) station
1844
(Wednesday)
 wikipedia
disused-stations

22nd October
National Rail Museum, Shildon, opened
2004
(Friday)
 wikipedia

21st October
Good use for an Adelante
2008
(Tuesday)
discussion 

20th October
First meeting, Guild of Railway Artists
1979
(Saturday)
discussionartbiogs
railart

19th October
First Bradshaw's Timetable published
1839
(Saturday)
discussionwikipedia
free-online
free-online

18th October
A report from Eritrea
2003
(Saturday)
 asmera
eritrea

17th October
Bangkok to Rangoon railway links up
1943
(Sunday)
 wikipedia
Rail Accident Investigation Branch becomes operational
2005
(Monday)
 wikipedia

16th October
first class 800 into passenger service with GWR
2017
(Monday)
 wikipedia
facebook
Lacock Halt opened
1905
(Monday)
discussionwellho
wshc

15th October
National Audit Office warns of higher fare and overcrowding
2008
(Wednesday)
discussion 

14th October
FGW publishes their passenger charter
2013
(Monday)
discussion 

12th October
Release in EU of Rail Simultor game
2007
(Friday)
 wikipedia
Last milk train on SR - from Torrington
1978
(Thursday)
discussionsremg
Steam motors enter regular service with GWR
1903
(Monday)
discussionwikipedia

10th October
~ Rail Real Ale Trail
2015
(Saturday)
 beerhouses

8th October
Harrow and Wealdstone Rail Crash
1952
(Wednesday)
discussionwikipedia

6th October
Opening of Rainhill Trials
1829
(Tuesday)
 wikipedia

5th October
Ladbroke Grove collision
1999
(Tuesday)
discussionwikipedia
Newquay Signal Box closed
1987
(Monday)
  
Barnstaple to Ilfracome line closed
1970
(Monday)
  

4th October
First Escalator switched on, Earls Court
1911
(Wednesday)
discussionfuntrivia
HST - first public service
1976
(Monday)
discussionnews
Last mail exchange at speed by a travelling post office
1971
(Monday)
discussionpostalmuseum

3rd October
Ashton Avenue Bridge opened
1906
(Wednesday)
 wikipedia
Opening of Martins Heron station
1988
(Monday)
  
Teeside Airport station opens
1971
(Sunday)
discussion 

2nd October
What now for Britain's Railways?
2003
(Thursday)
 news
Launch of PS Waverley
1946
(Wednesday)
 nationalhistori...

1st October
Last run of Double Decker train
1971
(Friday)
discussionbloodandcustard
Opening of the Queen Adelaide loop, Ely
1890
(Wednesday)
 wikipedia

30th September
BRB Residuary Body abolished
2013
(Monday)
discussiongov
District line trains cease to serve Slough
1885
(Wednesday)
discussionlondonist

29th September
TransWilts is designated, and marketing award for Weymouth Wizard
2016
(Thursday)
discussionforum
Lynton and Barnstaple closed
1935
(Sunday)
discussion 

28th September
Westinghouse Air Brake Company founded
1869
(Tuesday)
 wikipedia
Final DFDS Ferry, Harwich to Esbjerg
2014
(Sunday)
discussionharwichesbjerg

27th September
Opening of Stockton to Darlington Railway
1825
(Tuesday)
discussionwikipedia

24th September
Fastest modern run - Bristol Temple Meads to Paddington, 72 minutes
2019
(Tuesday)
  

22nd September
Swindon Tramway opened
1904
(Thursday)
discussionwikipedia
Railway Clearing House standardises GMT
1847
(Wednesday)
discussionwikipedia

21st September
~ Traction decarbonisation strategy published
2020
(Monday)
 networkrail

20th September
Closures on Isle of Wight
1953
(Sunday)
discussionislandecho
Formation meeting - Save The Train
2005
(Tuesday)
discussionwellho
Black Dog Halt closed
1965
(Monday)
 wikipedia

19th September
Southall Rail Crash
1997
(Friday)
discussionwikipedia

18th September
Last public service Waterford to Rosslare
2010
(Saturday)
discussionwexfordtoday

16th September
Truro (Newham) station bypassed
1863
(Wednesday)
discussionfree-online

15th September
First Great Western rebrands Great Western Railway
2015
(Tuesday)
discussion 
Liverpool and Manchester Railway opens
1830
(Wednesday)
  

13th September
Final day, All The Stations
2017
(Wednesday)
 youtube

12th September
West Wiltshire Model Railway Circle founded
1967
(Tuesday)
 westwiltsmrc
Last Surbiton to Okehampton Car Carrier
1964
(Saturday)
 bloodandcustard
Newport Transporter Bridge opened
1906
(Wednesday)
 newport

11th September
DfT - "a good day to bury bad news"
2001
(Tuesday)
discussioncivilservant

10th September
Devon and Cornwall railcards combined
2006
(Sunday)
 wikipedia
End date for Rail Development Group "Easier Fares" consultation
2018
(Monday)
 forum

9th September
Final run of slip coach
1960
(Friday)
 facebook
Final commuter trains from Swindon to Melksham
2006
(Saturday)
 wellho

8th September
Final run of "Pines" over Somerset and Dorset
1962
(Saturday)
  
Calstock Wagon Hoist advertised for scrap
1938
(Thursday)
 saltash
New Passage Pier open to public
1863
(Tuesday)
 bristol-rail

7th September
~ Withdrawal from public use of last camping coach
1971
(Tuesday)
discussionwikipedia

5th September
First Imberbus
2009
(Saturday)
discussionpassengertransp...
imberbus

2nd September
Opening of railway through Melksham
1848
(Saturday)
discussiontwhc

1st September
Harry Potter meets Ronald Weasley and Hermione Grainger on the Hogwards Express
1991
(Sunday)
discussionharrypotter
Transport 2000 renames as Better Transport
2007
(Saturday)
 wikipedia

31st August
Harrier Jump Jet makes first flight
1966
(Wednesday)
  

30th August
Fishguard Harbour station opened
1906
(Thursday)
  

28th August
Opening of Seaton Tranway
1970
(Friday)
discussionwikipedia

27th August
First Jet Aircraft flight
1939
(Sunday)
  

26th August
Bristol Queen breaks a paddle wheel
1967
(Saturday)
discussionpaddlesteamers

25th August
Line from Swindon to Kemble redouble completed
2014
(Monday)
discussionbbc

22nd August
~ Nightstar train testing starts
1996
(Thursday)
discussionwikipedia

21st August
Dismaland opens in Weston
2015
(Friday)
 wikipedia

19th August
Merehead Rail Terminal opened
1970
(Wednesday)
 wikipedia
Night Tube services commence
2016
(Friday)
 wikipedia
railfaneurope

18th August
Strikers extinuish fire on locomotive - Llanelli
1911
(Friday)
 historypoints

15th August
Virgin pulls out of further franchise bids
2012
(Wednesday)
  

14th August
180112 at KX on the 16:05 to Hull
2009
(Friday)
 traintesting
traintesting

13th August
~ Great Horseless Carriage Company - maker of electric taxis - closes down
1899
(Sunday)
 sciencemuseumgr...
taxis-in-chester

12th August
Head on Collision, Rhode Island. First accident photographed
1853
(Friday)
 wikipedia

11th August
Cambridge Guided Busway begins operation
2011
(Thursday)
  
savethetrain.org.uk domain registered
2005
(Thursday)
  
Last British Rail operated steam train on standard gauge
1968
(Sunday)
  

10th August
Opening West Hill Cliff Lift, Hastings
1902
(Sunday)
 visit1066country

8th August
Great Train Robbery
1963
(Thursday)
discussionwikipedia
Waterloo and City Line opened
1898
(Monday)
  

7th August
First "Well House" transport blog
2004
(Saturday)
 wellho
First Bluebell Railway train
1960
(Sunday)
discussion 

5th August
Defining the InterCity brand
2013
(Monday)
 europebyrail
Treganna Castle Hotel opens
1878
(Monday)
 wikipedia

4th August
Volks Electric Railway opens
1883
(Saturday)
discussionvolkselectricra...

3rd August
Network Rail - first survey by drone
2018
(Friday)
 railtech

1st August
Closure of Wantage Tramway
1925
(Saturday)
  

31st July
Recycled Plastic Sleepers in use
2021
(Saturday)
 networkrailmedi...
Picadilly line open to Cockfosters
1933
(Monday)
  

30th July
First British built electric buses on London's Roads
2014
(Wednesday)
 gov

29th July
First electric-only train reaches Cardiff
2021
(Thursday)
  

28th July
Last Commercial flight from Plymouth Airport
2011
(Thursday)
  

27th July
Opening of Pneumatic Railway at Crystal Palace
1864
(Wednesday)
discussionwikipedia

26th July
~ Cass Scenic Railword and WVAGM
2001
(Thursday)
discussionhawkinsrails

25th July
Hovertravel service Portsmouth to Ryde starts
1965
(Sunday)
 wikipedia

23rd July
First Bus announces North Devon pullout
2012
(Monday)
 cbwmagazine

20th July
Barnstaple to Ilfracome line opened
1874
(Monday)
  

19th July
Class 153 cycle carriages come to West Highland Line
2021
(Monday)
 wikipedia

18th July
Longest Swing Bridge opens
1876
(Tuesday)
 theguardian

16th July
Crashworthness test of Nuclear Flask train
1984
(Monday)
 wikipedia

14th July
Beer Heights light railway opens
1975
(Monday)
 wikipedia
Chris Grayling becomes Minister of State at the Department for Transport
2016
(Thursday)
 wikipedia

12th July
Final run - Drumm Battery Train
1949
(Tuesday)
discussionwikipedia
facebook
ucd
irishcentral
youtube

11th July
Swindon Tramway closed
1929
(Thursday)
discussionwikipedia
swindonadvertiser

10th July
Marlow Station relocated
1967
(Monday)
discussionnrmfriends

6th July
Fire in a sleeper train at Taunton leaves 12 dead
1978
(Thursday)
  

5th July
Kingsway Tram Tunnel closed
1952
(Saturday)
 underground-his...
Office of Rail Regulator established
2004
(Monday)
  

3rd July
TransWilts to Weymouth - summer trips revived
2011
(Sunday)
 forum

2nd July
Inaugural meeting of Transport Planning Society
1997
(Wednesday)
 org
Uber Launches in London
2012
(Monday)
 wikipedia
d1nyezh1ys8wfo
Saltash Signal Box closes
1973
(Monday)
 saltash
Transport Act 1962 (Amendment) Act 1981 ("Speller")
1981
(Thursday)
 railwaysarchive

1st July
First run - Cornish Riviera Express
1904
(Friday)
 wikipedia
Maidenhead Railway Bridge first used
1839
(Monday)
 railengineer
Badminton cutoff opens to passengers
1903
(Wednesday)
 wikipedia
Wick and Lybster Railway opened
1903
(Wednesday)
  
Devizes Station opened
1857
(Wednesday)
  

30th June
Box Tunnel opened
1841
(Wednesday)
 networkrail
Oyster cards introduced
2003
(Monday)
  

29th June
First through passenger train leaves St Johns for Port-aux-Basques
1898
(Wednesday)
  

28th June
Flexi Ticket Launch
2021
(Monday)
 gov

23rd June
First use of water troughs
1860
(Saturday)
 wikipedia

22nd June
Chippenham Station Building "listed"
1978
(Thursday)
 historicengland
Kensington Olympia to Perth Motorail goes double deck
1966
(Wednesday)
 wikipedia
GWR Museum opened on Farringdon Road, Swindon
1962
(Friday)
  
Empire Wndrush arrives at Tilbury
1948
(Tuesday)
 historytoday

21st June
Proposal to close Breich station
2017
(Wednesday)
discussion 

18th June
Transport Users' Consultative Committee members revealed
1958
(Wednesday)
discussionparliament

17th June
Museum of Bristol opens in M Shed
2011
(Friday)
 wikipedia

16th June
Last passenger train services to Nailsworth
1947
(Monday)
  

15th June
GWR Community Rail conference at Swindon
2018
(Friday)
discussionforum

13th June
First journey by a reigning monarch by train
1842
(Monday)
 wikipedia

11th June
ASR class enter service in Thailand
1991
(Tuesday)
 wikipedia
Eltham Well Hall rail crash
1972
(Sunday)
  

10th June
First parking meter, Mayfair
1958
(Tuesday)
 britishparking
Launch of Network SouthEast
1986
(Tuesday)
  
Last car carrying train from Pilning
1966
(Friday)
  

9th June
Christow station closed to passengers
1958
(Monday)
discussion 

7th June
Bath Bus Station opened
2009
(Thursday)
discussionwikipedia

6th June
~ First Crossrail suggestion
1941
(Friday)
 wikipedia

4th June
Great Western Preservation Society launched
1962
(Monday)
  
Locomotive Manufacturers Association (now Rail Industry Association) set up
1875
(Friday)
 riagb

3rd June
End of Third class - renamed to second!
1956
(Sunday)
discussionturniprail
Patent filed for axle counter
1960
(Friday)
 wikipedia

1st June
Dilton Marsh Halt opened
1937
(Tuesday)
discussion 

31st May
Southern Railway gauge switch
1886
(Monday)
discussionyoutube
southern

29th May
Final passenger service of a Pacer
2021
(Saturday)
discussionwales
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)
discussionarchive

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)
discussionnrmfriends
orpheusweb

19th May
Oscar Wilde is released from Reading Jail
1897
(Wednesday)
  
LMS Coronation Class 46236 City of Bradford on GWR
1948
(Wednesday)
discussionwikipedia

18th May
Trying to take his horse on the train
2011
(Wednesday)
discussiontheguardian
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)
discussion1s76

14th May
first Tal-y-llyn trains run under preservation
1951
(Monday)
discussiontalyllyn

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)
discussionwikipedia
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)
discussioncotswoldcanals
Westbury reduced to 3 platforms
1984
(Friday)
discussionsignallingnotices
Station opens, Lake (IOW)
1987
(Monday)
discussion 
Lynton and Barnstaple opened
1898
(Wednesday)
discussion 

9th May
Train of feathers delivered to Melksham
1928
(Wednesday)
discussionwiltshiretimes
City of Truro, 102 mph
1904
(Monday)
discussionrailhistory
wikipedia

8th May
BR rationalises and largely kills wet fish traffic
1964
(Friday)
discussionbloodandcustard

7th May
Day 1, All The Stations
2017
(Sunday)
discussionyoutube

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)
discussionwikipedia
~ Just one working lower quadrant distant signal left
2018
(Thursday)
discussionrailwayworld

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)
discussionbrightonbelle

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)
discussionwikipedia

21st April
Battery Multiple Unit enters public service
1958
(Monday)
discussionrailcar

20th April
Opening of Sapperton Canal Tunnel
1789
(Monday)
  

19th April
Foundation, Beatties of London
1938
(Tuesday)
discussionwikipedia

18th April
SEWWEB leaflet launched and Aztec West
2018
(Wednesday)
discussionforum
Melksham Station closed
1966
(Monday)
discussion 

17th April
Formation Committee Meeting, TransWilts CRP
2010
(Saturday)
discussionwellho

16th April
~ Tulyar arrives at Swanley New Barn Railway
1987
(Thursday)
discussionsteamdriver
weebly

15th April
~ Introduction of first Motor Luggage Van
1959
(Wednesday)
discussionwikipedia

13th April
First (broad gauge) train ran complete line from Oxford via Worcester to Wolverhampton
1854
(Thursday)
discussionwikipedia

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)
discussionscottishgolfbyt...

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)
discussionbbc
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)
discussionwikipedia

1st April
SEWWEB - An April Fool that makes sense
2018
(Sunday)
discussionsewweb
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)
discussionforum

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)
discussionwikipedia

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)
discussionwikipedia

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)
discussionwikipedia
~ Most expensive Totem at Auction?
2021
(Saturday)
discussiongwra

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)
discussionwikipedia
Ferryhill turntable back in use
2019
(Thursday)
discussionfrht

13th March
Website of the week - Man in seat 61
2004
(Saturday)
discussionseat61

12th March
First narrow gauge train over Croesor crossing
2009
(Thursday)
discussionwelshhighlandhe...

11th March
Formation of Cotswold Line Promotion Group
1978
(Saturday)
discussionclpg
Opening of Clifton Rocks Railway
1893
(Saturday)
discussioncliftonrocksrai...
Penzance Station opened
1852
(Thursday)
discussionwikipedia

10th March
FGW make all trains no smoking
2000
(Friday)
discussionforum

9th March
Rail industry confirms future potential demand for new trains and carriages
2015
(Monday)
discussioneversholtrail

8th March
Leader - Bullied expresses confidence
1950
(Wednesday)
 sremg
First "Where is this" picture quiz
2007
(Thursday)
discussionforum
Seaton Tramway extension Colyton to Colyford
1980
(Saturday)
discussionwikipedia

7th March
The Western Region of British Railways closes the former Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway
1966
(Monday)
discussionbbc
wikipedia
Passenger services withdrawn from Wilton South
1966
(Monday)
discussionwikipedia

6th March
Ffriog Cutting accident - lead to avalache shelter
1933
(Monday)
discussionhistorypoints
ambaile

5th March
First passenger train (heritage) Alderney
1980
(Wednesday)
discussionalderneyrailway

3rd March
Race across the world
2019
(Sunday)
discussionwikipedia
2nd edition of GRIP process
2012
(Saturday)
discussionnetworkrail
railengineer

2nd March
TravelWatch SouthWest - final pre-covid in real life general meeting
2020
(Monday)
discussiontravelwatchsout...
Withdrawal of passenger services Swindon to Highworth
1952
(Sunday)
discussionwikipedia
Callington Station opened
1908
(Monday)
discussion 

1st March
Civil Aviation Authority established
1972
(Wednesday)
discussionwikipedia
wickersworld
Opening of Defiance Halt
1905
(Wednesday)
discussionsaltash
Opening of Listowel and Ballybunion Railway
1888
(Thursday)
discussionmonorails
rogerfarnworth

29th February
Cholsey and Moulesford opened and Moulsworth (Wallingford Road) closed
1892
(Monday)
  

28th February
Greta Thunberg in Bristol
2020
(Friday)
discussionbbc
forum
Moorgate Tube disaster
1975
(Friday)
discussionlondon-fire
railmagazine
First order placed for Brush 47 locomotives
1961
(Tuesday)
discussionwikipedia
worldwiderails
Last day of service - Acton Town to South Acton
1959
(Saturday)
discussionwikipedia

27th February
1st transport of French Jews to Nazi Germany
1942
(Friday)
discussiononthisday
encyclopedia

26th February
Midwinter Lull?
2022
(Saturday)
discussion 

25th February
Swindon Works authorised
1841
(Thursday)
discussionswindonweb

24th February
< King William Street station closed
1900
(Saturday)
  
Paddington Bear statue unveiled
2000
(Thursday)
discussionwikipedia

23rd February
GoCo rebrands Go-Op
2012
(Thursday)
discussiongo-op
swindonadvertiser

22nd February
GoCo proposal - class 50 Yeovil to Oxford
2011
(Tuesday)
discussionforum

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)
discussionpinterest
booksandmud

20th February
Final closure of Swindon panel
2016
(Saturday)
discussionforum
swindonpanel

19th February
Know your stations quiz
2017
(Sunday)
discussion 

18th February
Various Railway Accidents
1902
(Tuesday)
discussionforum

17th February
Introduction of London congestion charge
2003
(Monday)
discussionwikipedia
First diesel express from Paddington
1958
(Monday)
discussionbbc

16th February
Weekend returns avaiable on The Midland
1907
(Saturday)
discussion 

15th February
Initial journey - Jellicoe Express
1917
(Thursday)
discussionlondonremembers
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)
discussiondisused-stations
wikipedia
wikipedia

12th February
Western Pathfinder (D1001) build date
1962
(Monday)
discussionwesternlocomoti...
wikipedia
Curry Rivel to Castle Cary opened to freight
1906
(Monday)
discussionwikipedia

11th February
Appeal for funds for Gladstone
1927
(Friday)
discussionstephensonloco
Kilmersdon Colliery opens
1875
(Thursday)
discussionwikipedia
theimportanceof...
irsociety

10th February
Harold Wood - Brentwood accident
1941
(Monday)
discussionrailwaysarchive
wikipedia

9th February
Blockage through snow - Aviemore to Forres
1963
(Saturday)
discussionderbysulzers

8th February
< London Necropolis railway station resited
1902
(Saturday)
 wikipedia
wikipedia
Swansea to Carmarthen doubled
1853
(Tuesday)
discussionwikipedia
broadgauge

7th February
Timber Ferrybridge replace by steel bridge
1909
(Sunday)
discussionportlandhistory
Formation of ASLEF
1880
(Saturday)
discussionnationalarchives
Boiler explosion, Gloucester
1855
(Wednesday)
discussionfirstgreatweste...
railwaysarchive
wikipedia

6th February
Class 151 in service
1986
(Thursday)
discussiontraintesting
traintesting
Document archive added to Coffee Shop
2021
(Saturday)
discussionforum

5th February
< Closure - Alton to Fareham
1955
(Saturday)
  
Foundation meeting, heritage railway to Minehead
1971
(Friday)
discussionmineheadraillin...
wikipedia

4th February
Dawlish Washout
2014
(Tuesday)
discussionforum
South West Trains franchise starts
1996
(Sunday)
discussionstagecoachgroup
Great Western Intercity franchise commences
1996
(Sunday)
discussionwikipedia
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)
discussionnorthernterritory
wikipedia

2nd February
Children under 5 occupying seats
2012
(Thursday)
discussion 

1st February
Shuttle Columbia breaks up on re-entry
2003
(Saturday)
discussionwikipedia

31st January
"Princess Victoria" capsized off Stanraer, 133 die
1953
(Saturday)
discussionhistoric-uk
belfasttelegraph
wikipedia
bbc

30th January
Great Western Railway Temperance Union
1890
(Thursday)
discussionturniprail
wikipedia

29th January
"Western Fusilier" rail tour - Paddington to Hereford
1977
(Saturday)
discussionsixbellsjunction
wikimedia
Holborn Viaduct station closes
1990
(Monday)
discussiondisused-stations

28th January
First posts on the Coffee Shop forum
2007
(Sunday)
discussionforum

27th January
Torbay Tramway closed because of snow
1910
(Thursday)
discussionwikipedia
tramwayinfo

26th January
firstgreatwestern.info domain registered
2007
(Friday)
discussionforum

25th January
FGW announces link with Singapore Airlines
2014
(Saturday)
discussionfuturetravelexp...

24th January
More Train Less Strain call on Ruth Kelly to remove franchise from FGW
2008
(Thursday)
discussionforum
dailymail
Hansard on First Great Western
2007
(Wednesday)
discussionparliament

23rd January
Start of 6 weeks of snowfall
1947
(Thursday)
discussionmetoffice
wikipedia

22nd January
Sailpowered Rail
1830
(Friday)
discussiondouglas-self
wikipedia
Amtrak New York to Tampa ends
1995
(Sunday)
  
Famous Train Royal Mail stamps
1985
(Tuesday)
discussioncollectgbstamps
Initial meeting - Women in Community Rail
2016
(Friday)
discussionwicr

21st January
Early reference to Go-Co
2011
(Friday)
discussionforum
paulgosling

20th January
Opening of Yeovil Pen Mill - Weymouth line
1857
(Tuesday)
discussionwikipedia

19th January
Heathrow Junction Station opens and receives first train
1998
(Monday)
discussionwikipedia
ianvisits
Trend to bring back barriers is damaging the customer experience
2008
(Saturday)
discussionwikipedia
yorkpress
news

18th January
Closure Ruabon to Morfa Mawddach
1965
(Monday)
discussionwikipedia

17th January
~ Byron Bay Railroad Company launched its solar train
2018
(Wednesday)
discussionbridgestone

16th January
Winter of discontent - 24 hour rail strike
1979
(Tuesday)
discussionlibcom
wikipedia

15th January
RoSCo Eversholt changes hands
2015
(Thursday)
discussionwikipedia
eversholtrail

14th January
Strategic Rail Authority unveils 10 year plan
2002
(Monday)
discussiontheguardian

13th January
Groupsaves on Ticket Machines
2012
(Friday)
discussiontravel
forum

12th January
A quiet day in previous years
2009
(Monday)
discussion 

11th January
TVM - a fair weather facility?
2012
(Wednesday)
discussionforum

10th January
Defibrillators discussion pack published by Network Rail
2017
(Tuesday)
discussionnetworkrail
theargus
Metropolitain line opened from Paddington
1863
(Saturday)
 gov

9th January
Incorporation of Railway Development Society Ltd (now Railfuture)
2004
(Friday)
discussionrailwaydevelopm...
railfuture

8th January
Cannon Street buffer stop collision
1991
(Tuesday)
discussionwikipedia

7th January
Closure of Upwey Wishing Well Halt
1957
(Monday)
discussionopcdorset
dorsetecho

6th January
Hixon Railway accident
1968
(Saturday)
discussionrailwaysarchive
forum
wikipedia

5th January
Last service - Swansea and Mumbles Tramway
1960
(Tuesday)
discussionwalesonline

4th January
Portishead (New) station opened
1954
(Monday)
discussionportisheadrailw...

3rd January
Cheltenham (St James) station closes
1966
(Monday)
discussionwikipedia
Full electric passenger services start, West Coast Main Line to Manchester and Liverpool
1966
(Monday)
discussionwikipedia

2nd January
< Formation of Railway Clearing House
1842
(Sunday)
 wikipedia
Line from Bala to Blaenau Ffestiniog closed to passenger services
1960
(Saturday)
discussionwikipedia

1st January
Grouping of railways into four major companies - GWR, SR, LNER and LMS
1923
(Monday)
discussionwikipedia
railwaysarchive
Foundation of British Railways - nationalisation
1948
(Thursday)
 wikipedia
Reading (Southern) electrified
1939
(Sunday)
discussionwikipedia
"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.

Great Western Coffee Shop Forum

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