1966 in rail transport

Updated on Jan 10, 2024

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This article lists events related to rail transport that occurred in 1966.

January events

January – GM introduces the EMD SD40.

January – GE introduces the GE U28B.

January 3 – British Rail begins full electric passenger services over the West Coast Main Line from Euston to Manchester and Liverpool with 100 mph (160 km/h) operation from London to Rugby. Services officially inaugurated April 18.

March events

March 7 – The Western Region of British Railways closes the former Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway to virtually all traffic.

March 25 – Hachinohe Rinkai Line was opened.

April events

April 20 – The second segment, between Predeal and Câmpina, of Căile Ferate Române's (in Romania) electrification is completed.

May events

May 28 - Historic Red Clay Valley Incorporated begins operating steam tourist trains on the 10.2-mile Landenberg Branch of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. The tracks were constructed in 1871-2 by the Wilmington & Western Rail Road Company. The operation is the 7th oldest standard gauge tourist heritage railroad operating in the US.

July events

15 July – The London Midland Region of British Railways allows West Indian-born Asquith Xavier to transfer as a guard from London Marylebone to Euston railway station, overturning the opposition of National Union of Railwaymen members of the local staff committee.

July 17 – The first passenger operations begin at the Illinois Railway Museum using car number 415.

September events

September 3 – The London Midland Region of British Railways closes the former Great Central Railway London Extension to passenger traffic between Aylesbury and Rugby Central, bringing an end to its career as "the last main line".

October events

October 14 – Montreal Metro inaugurated.

December events

December – GE introduces the GE U30B.

Unknown date events

ALCO introduces the ALCO Century 415.

The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad removes from service and donates the General Pershing Zephyr power car to the National Museum of Transport in St. Louis, Missouri.

Beyer, Peacock and Company of Manchester, England, turns out its last locomotives, British Rail Class 25/3 diesels.

Norris Roy Crump returns to the presidency of Canadian Pacific Railway for a short period, succeeding Robert A. "Bob" Emerson. Crump, in turn, is succeeded by Ian David Sinclair.