1981 in rail transport

This article lists events related to rail transport that occurred in 1981.

Events

February events

• February - Amtrak debuts the Desert Wind passenger train between Los Angeles, California, and Ogden, Utah.
• February 21 - MBTA discontinues passenger train service to Rhode Island.

May events

• May - General Motors Electro-Motive Division introduces the EMD SD50.

September events

• September 1 - Illinois Terminal Railroad is purchased by Norfolk and Western Railroad.
• September 15 - the John Bull becomes the oldest operable steam locomotive in the world when it is run under its own power by the Smithsonian Institution.

Unknown date events

• Burlington Northern Railroad corporate headquarters are moved from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Seattle, Washington.
• Union Pacific 3985 is restored to operating condition, making it the largest operable steam locomotive in the world.
• William Stinson succeeds Fred Burbidge as president of Canadian Pacific Railway.
• VIA Rail Canada suspends operation of the Super Continental passenger train.

Births

Deaths

References

• (February 2005) Trains Timeline, Trains Magazine, p. 9