1984 in rail transport.html

1983, 1984, 1985

This article lists events related to rail transport that occurred in 1984.

Events

May 20 - The Metrorail opens in Miami, Florida. There is free service from Dadeland South to Overtown/Arena to entice residents to ride.
May 29 - Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) operates the last train over the railroad's Waltham subdivision between Wyman and Waltham; power for this train is handled by road number 6538, the last CPR locomotive to wear the railroad's maroon and grey livery.

June 3 - Electrification is commissioned between Wyee and Newcastle allowing the introduction of electric interurban trains between Sydney and Newcastle and also the electric operation of freight services on this line.
June 30 - The Minsk Metro in Belarus (then still a part of the Soviet Union) opens.

July 23 - The Dublin Area Rapid Transit opens, serving Dublin with an electrified rapid transit service for commuters. The original route was from Howth to Bray.

August 15 - The first empty revenue Chicago and North Western Railway coal train enters the Powder River Basin to pick up a trainload of coal; the first consignment is destined for Arkansas Power and Light.¹
August 16 - The first full revenue Chicago and North Western Railway coal train leaves the Powder River Basin with a load from the North Antelope Mine.¹

September 3 - The final segment of the O'Hare rapid transit extension (2.2 miles) of the Chicago 'L' between Rosemont and O'Hare International Airport opens for passenger service.

October 15 - The San Diego and Imperial Valley Railroad begins freight operations on the former San Diego and Arizona Eastern Railway right of way.
October 26 - The first Board of Directors of the newly formed Alaska Railroad, chaired by James Campbell, is appointed by Governor Bill Sheffield, and Frank Turpin is appointed company president.²

November 2 - The Iowa Interstate Railroad is created using the former Rock Island Railroad mainline from Chicago, Illinois, to Omaha, Nebraska.
November 3 - Electrification between Kingston and Beenleigh in Brisbane is commissioned.
November 6 - The last passenger train departs from Philadelphia's Reading Terminal.

The Southern Pacific Company, parent of the Southern Pacific Railroad merges into Santa Fe Industries, parent of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, to form Santa Fe Southern Pacific Corporation. When the Interstate Commerce Commission refuses permission for the planned merger of the railroad subsidiaries as the Southern Pacific Santa Fe Railroad SFSP shortens its name to Santa Fe Pacific Corporation and puts the SP railroad up for sale while retaining the non-rail assets of the Southern Pacific Company.
Philip Anschutz purchases the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad.
David L. Gunn assumes control of the New York City Transit Authority.
Construction begins on the Buffalo Metro Rail system.
VIA Rail Canada restores service on the Super Continental passenger train.
General Motors Electro-Motive Division introduces the EMD SD60.

Churcher, Colin (2005), Dates in Ottawa railway history. Retrieved May 27, 2005.
Iowa Interstate Railroad, About IAIS. Retrieved May 23, 2005.

^ ^a ^b Feurer, Keith (Summer 2004). "Look who came out on top". North Western Lines (Chicago and North Western Railway Historical Society) 32 (1): 16–39. ISSN 0279-5000.
^ Alaska Railroad. "The Alaska Railroad History". Retrieved on 2006-10-26.