-
Railway debut
Britain's Stockton and Darlington Railway was the first publicly owned railway using steam engines. This started what we know as railroads in our modern day. Other nations such as the US, France, and Germany soon adopted the railway in 1827, 1832, and 1835 respectively. -
The Rocket
Robert Stephenson's Rocket was the most advanced steam engine in the world at the time, revolutionizing rail transport. Around the world, rail transport became easier and more affordable. Generally, the Rocket is considered to be the pioneer to modern railways. -
The opening of London Tube
The world's first metro system, London Underground, was opened on this day. Utilizing new electric technology, rail transport can now go underground without harming the passengers inside the tunnel. -
First railway line in Japan
The first railway is constructed between Shinbashi and Yokohama station in Japan. This marked the revolutionization of a nation with the most yearly passengers in the world. In Japan, this day is considered to be Railroad Day to commemorate the creation of one of the most advanced transport infrastructure in the world. -
First Tram in the world
Germany announced the first electric car in the world at the World's Fair in Berlin. On the same year, the first tram was opened in a nearby suburb of Lichterfeld. The Green Line of Boston is an example of a tram system in the world today. -
First Monorail in Wuppertal
Monorails are similar to regular trains, but utilizes elevated beams to travel, rather than rail tracks. The Monorail in Wuppertal remains the oldest monorail system in the world and created a system for close distance transportation. -
Diesel Locomotives come into use
Created by General Electric in 1912, the diesel locomotive becomes the major power for rail transport in countries like America. Their ability to transport without any electrification made it ideal for nations which do not have the resources to electrify all of their lines. Even to this day, America is powered by diesel locomotives. -
Period: to
America's Rail peak
This time span is considered to be the peak of American rail transport. The industrial revolution and the transport of steel and materials could be transported in large numbers at one time, allowing easy access to many things during this time. However, Einsenhower's Interstate proved easier to navigate in the near future. -
Class A4 4468 Mallard breaks record
The Mallard broke the record for the fastest steam locomotive ever, reaching a speed of 125.88 mph (202.58 km/h). This record is still unbroken to this day. The capability of steam engines reaching a speed of over 200 km/h proved the capability of the future of rail transport to be fast and efficient. -
New Age of High Speed Rail
On October 1st of 1964, the first high speed rail line was opened between Tokyo and Osaka in Japan. This revolutionized rail transport forever, linking what seemed to be impossible lengths to short trips. Initially, the trains ran at 210 km/h and raised to 220 km/h later on. In the 50 years since opening, 28290 kilometers of high speed rail lines have been constructed. -
Sanyo Shinkansen Opening
The Sanyo Shinkansen opened on this day, connecting the western portion of Japan under one line. The 1069.1 km line connects the major economic areas of Japan, the Taiheiyo Belt, under one easy access high speed rail line. -
TGV Service begins
Service began, linking the railline between Saint-Florentin, Yonne and Sathonay. France becomes the second nation in the world to develop high speed rail technology, after Japan. The two nations are now the leaders in high speed rail technology, -
ICE Service begins
The German high speed rail, InterCityExpress, began service between Hamburg-Altona to Munich Hbf. Germany becomes the third nation in the world to create their own high speed rail technology after Japan and France. -
Opening of the Channel Tunnel
This tunnel opened, connecting Britain with mainland Europe. The tunnel became the symbol of an international rail tunnel and now operates high speed rail (Eurostar) as well. -
Acela begins service
America also begins service between Boston and Washington as well, with the Acela Express. The technology was based off of the TGV from France and the rails are not dedicated, which makes the service a pseudo-high-speed-rail system. -
First commercial Maglev in the World
Maglev (magnetic levitation) technology comes into commercial use in 2004. Running 30 km from Pudong Airport to Shanghai city centre, the maglev becomes the fastest operating system in the world at 431 km/h. -
TGV breaks conventional rail speed record
TGV's modified car, V150, broke the speed record for conventional rail at a speed of 574.8 km/h (357.2 mph). The test proved that conventional rail can reach speeds similar to maglev trains, although commercial use may be still far from reality. -
Introduction of Series E5
The new age Shinkansen, Series E5, was entered into service. With more stability and less noise pollution, the Japanese shinkansen technology shifted from speed to quality of the ride. Up to this day, the Shinkansen still has no fatal accidents caused by system malfunctions (so excluding suicide), even after 50 years of service. -
From now to the Future
What to do from this point is the hardest question. High Speed is around the globe and becoming more efficient by the day. What's next? We don't know. The Shinkansen was built from an impossible dream and the founders of the steam engine probably never imagined our world today. It is our turn to do the same and create a world that our parents may have never dreamed by connecting people together.
