1980

[nanaimo73]

This is a casual review of events pertaining to America's Railroads during 1980. I've thought that 1980 was really a turning point for several reasons, and in several ways. On the positive side was the deregulation under the Staggers Act, which has revitalized the railroads. The end of the Rock Island and the St. Louis-San Francisco, along with half of the Milwaukee Road, were not viewed as positive events for many of those directly involved.

The United States is currently served by 7 Class 1 freight railroads, BNSF, CN, CP, CSX, KCS, NS and UP. At the beginning of 1980, America had 41 Class 1 railroads. These were the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway; Boston and Maine Railroad; Burlington Northern Railroad,  with  subsidiaries  Colorado and Southern Railway  and Fort Worth and Denver Railway; the Chessie System consisting of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad,  Chesapeake and Ohio Railway  and the
Western Maryland Railway; Chicago and North Western Railway; Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad; Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific; Conrail; Delaware and Hudson Railway; Denver and Rio Grande Railroad;
Detroit, Toledo and Ironton Railroad; Florida East Coast Railway;
Grand Trunk Western Railroad; Illinois Central Gulf; Kansas City Southern
and subsidiary Louisiana and Arkansas Railway; Long Island Rail Road;
Missouri-Kansas-Texas; Missouri Pacific; Norfolk and Western Railway; Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad; St. Louis-San Francisco Railway;
Seaboard Coast Line Railroad and subsidiaries Louisville and Nashville and Clinchfield Railroad; Soo Line Railroad; Southern Railway and subsidiaries
Central of Georgia Railway, Cincinnati, New Orleans and Texas Pacific Ry and Alabama Great Southern Railroad; Southern Pacific Railroad and subsidiary
St. Louis Southwestern Railway; Union Pacific Railroad; the United States Steel roads, Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad, Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway and Elgin, Joliet and Eastern; and the Western Pacific Railroad. 

January 8- Union Pacific announces merger with Missouri Pacific.
The merger movement in the United States came to a screeching halt during the 1970s. Although the 1970 Penn Central bankruptcy deserves some blame, the 10 year battle over the Rock Island Railroad was the main culprit. Congress answered this with the 4R Act of 1976, forcing the Interstate Commerce Commission to rule on mergers within 31 months. First up were the Missouri Pacific and the Southern Railway, which spent 5 months studying a merger before calling it off. Southern Pacific and Seaboard Coast Line began talks, as did Burlington Northern and the St. Louis-San Francisco. The BN+SLSF and MP+SR pairings, plus Southern Pacific acquiring the CRI&P Golden State Route, pushed Union Pacific into action. UP coveted the Gulf Coast chemical traffic, split between long time partner Southern Pacific and the Missouri Pacific. Southern Pacific was loosing traffic out west, and was not strong with grain or coal. The 9420 mile Union Pacific Railroad decided to merge with the 11,277 mile Missouri Pacific Railroad during 1978, and kept it quiet until the January 8, 1980 announcement. The parent companies merged on December 22, 1982, and the Missouri Pacific Railroad was merged into Union Pacific on January 1, 1997. Missouri Pacific's SD50s, 5000-5059 arrived during 1984 as MP locomotives in UP paint. 
MP-Photos   MP-Photos

January 23- Amtrak's first AEM-7, 900, begins trial runs.
Amtrak began operating Penn Central's electrified Northeast Corridor on May 1, 1971. Purchased at the time from Penn Central were the Metroliners and a number of GG1 electrics. Amtrak began purchasing General Electric E60's to replace the GG1 during 1974. Seven E60CP's were acquired for steam heated trains, along with 19 E60CH's for Amfleet trains. Problems arose with the E60 fleet, and Amtrak imported a Swedish ASEA Rc4a locomotive for testing. During 1976 and 1977 the X995 preformed well, resulting in EMD building an Americanized copy, the AEM-7.     
Photos   Photos

January 25- UP announces it will acquire Western Pacific.
Union Pacific followed their Missouri Pacific merger move with a $25 million bid for the 1482 mile Western Pacific Railroad on January 25. The WP had been completed during November 1909, linking the San Francisco Bay area with Salt Lake City. While Union Pacific and Southern Pacific worked together to form the Overland Route, Western Pacific was a partner with the Denver and Rio Grande Western. During the early 1960s, Southern Pacific and the Santa Fe both tried to acquire the "Feather River Route". Between Utah and Oakland, SP had a 150 mile advantage over the Western Pacific, but Donner Pass crested at 7032', while Beckwourth Pass is only 5018'. Western Pacific was merged into Union Pacific on December 22, 1981.    
Photos   Photos 

February 29- Milwaukee Road embargoes Pacific Coast Extension.
The Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad found itself surrounded by the Burlington Northern Merger on March 1, 1970. During the 1970s, expenses exceeded revenues, mainly due to the extensive Midwest branchline network. On December 19, 1977, the 10,074 mile Milwaukee Road entered bankruptcy. Stanley Hillman was appointed trustee, and his first report on August 3, 1978 proposed abandoning the 1561 miles west of Butte, Montana. This was followed by a request to abandon 6,000 route miles, rejected by the courts on June 1, 1979. Robert Ogilvie then became trustee, and Miles City, Montana was proposed as the west end of the Railroad. Reorganization went ahead, and 4,600 miles were embargoed on February 29, 1980. The last train left Tacoma on March 15, lead by U36C 5802, along with 4 more GE's. Also during mid-March, trustee Ogilvie's reorganization plan was rejected, as the Judge said the plans including service to Miles City, Montana would not earn sufficient revenue. On March 31, 1982 the Milwaukee Road pulled back to Ortonville, Minnesota.
Photos     Photos     Photos

March 10- Escanaba and Lake Superior expands by 210 miles.
The Escanaba and Lake Superior Railroad operated 67 miles of track, connecting Escanaba with Channing, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific reorganization plan called for the line north of Green Bay to be dropped. The E&LS acquired the 210 mile line from Green Bay, WI through Channing to Ontonagon, MI. The original line has been abandoned, and only former Milwaukee Road trackage is now operated. 
ELS-Photos   Photos   Roster


March 31- Last day of operations of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific.
The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad was at the center of the longest merger case in American History. The Chicago and North Western applied to merge the CRI&P on July 5, 1963. Union Pacific did the same on September 10, 1964. Southern Pacific joined UP's bid on April 15, 1965, asking for the southern half of the Rock Island. December 13, 1965 saw the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe ally itself with the C&NW, asking for the southern half if the North Western's bid was successful. The Interstate Commerce Commission approved the Union Pacific / Southern Pacific application on November 8, 1974. The railroad fell apart during those 10 years, causing Union Pacific to walk away. Bankruptcy was declared on March 17, 1975. The Kansas City Terminal Railroad, along with Southern Pacific and the D&RGW, took over operations on September 26 under a 6 month directed service order. January 25, 1980 saw the bankruptcy Judge turn down the last reorganization plan, and the Rock shut down for good on March 31, 1980.     
Photos   Photos   Photos   Website

[nanaimo73]

April 17- ICC approves Burlington Northern and St. Louis-San Francisco merger.
The 22,614 mile Burlington Northern and the 4,617 mile St. Louis-San Francisco first announced their planned merger during September 1977. These railroads had been studying the merger since February 1, 1977. BN was already a partial owner of the SLSF, a result of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy buying SLSF stock during 1966. The merger was submitted to the Interstate Commerce Commission on January 24, 1979, and approved on April 17, 1980. May 19, 1980 was the date set for the consummation; however the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad blocked the merger through the Federal Appeals Court. After the stay was lifted BN and the SLSF finalized the deal on November 21. 
SLSF Photos   More Photos

April 23- Connecticut DOT's first SPV-2000 enters service.
The RDC (Rail Diesel Car) is a self-propelled rail passenger car built by the
Budd Company between 1949 and 1956. The Budd Company came out with an updated RDC during 1977, called the SPV-2000 (Self Propelled Vehicle). The design was based on an Amfleet shell, and powered by a pair of 360 hp diesels. While the RDC had only two powered axels, all 4 axels on the SPV-2000 were powered. The prototype began testing in Pennsylvania on December 8, 1977, which had one end fitted with a fiberglass nose cone. The state of Connecticut placed the first order on October 17, 1978. A car was ordered for the Danbury branch, while the other 12 were for lease to Amtrak, to replace their RDCs between New Haven and Springfield, MA. ConnDOT 50 entered service on April 23, 1980. The Unions demanded the 50 operate with a fireman, which caused ConnDOT to depower one axel on each end. Amtrak
988-999 suffered repeated road failures during 1980, and were returned to Budd for dozens of modifications. The last 10 SPV's were built during 1981 for Metro-North, numbered 290-299.

May- C&NW 5050, first GP50, enters service.
The predecessor to the GP50 were the 23 GP40X's. They were acquired by ATSF (10), SP (4), Southern (3) and UP (6). The Chicago and North Western was the first customer for the GP50, with 50 units numbered 5050-5099. Southern was next with 90 units, 7003-7092. Missouri Pacific got 30, 3500-3529, Burlington Northern 63, 3100-3162 and ATSF picked up 45, 3810-3854. BN 3100-3109 were ordered by the St. Louis-San Francisco, and would have been their 790-799. Production ended during 1985 after 278 locomotives.
Wikipedia   Photos   Photos 

May 15- Southern Pacific and the AT&SF announce they will merge.
With the impending merger of the St. Louis-San Francisco into Burlington Northern, and the proposed Union Pacific-Missouri Pacific-Western Pacific merger, the west's other two large railroads felt they needed each other. The Southern Pacific Railroad and the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway announced on May 15, 1980, that they would merge as Santa Fe Pacific Industries. SFPI was to operate the combined railroads as the Southern Pacific Santa Fe Railroad. The merger was called off during September 1980, but a second try was successful, and the merger took place on December 23, 1983. The new paint scheme became known as the Kodachrome, first seen on ATSF 5394 and the SP 7551 during August 1985. The Interstate Commerce Commission denied the merger on July 24, 1986. This decision was appealed, and the merger was rejected a second time on June 30, 1987. Rio Grande Industries purchased the Southern Pacific Railroad on August 9, 1988.   
ATSF Kodachromes   SP Kodachromes

May 18- Mount St. Helens in Washington State erupts.
The previously 9,677' Mount St. Helens lies in Skamania County, in southwestern Washington State. Burlington Northern owned the land, as part of the Northern Pacific Land Grant. The volcano had a massive eruption on May 18, 1980, which killed 57 people. Much of the northern face of the mountain was removed. The flow of debris down the Touttle River severely impacted BN's busy mainline between Seattle and Portland, and cancelled Amtrak service. Weyerhaeuser lost 15 miles of its 42 mile logging railroad along the river. Debris settled in the shipping lanes in the Columbia River, impacting the Ports of Portland, Vancouver and Kalama. The large dust cloud deposited volcanic ash over much of the west. Throughout eastern Washington, Burlington Northern employees had to change air filters daily to protect locomotives while crews have trouble with visibility and breathing.
Wikipedia

May 29- The Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas Railroad Company incorporated.
The Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad set up the Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas as a subsidiary to operate the former CRI&P mainline between Herington, KS and Fort Forth, TX. Total mileage, including branches, was 767. On October 20, 1982, 645 miles of line was acquired form the Rock Island Trustee. The Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas was merged into the MKT on November 30, 1989, and the MKT was merged into Missouri Pacific on December 1, 1989. Missouri Pacific was merged into Union Pacific, who still operates the Herington to Fort Worth line.

  
June 24- Grand Trunk Western acquires Detroit, Toledo and Ironton.
The Detroit, Toledo and Ironton was well named as it ran from Detroit to Ironton, on the Ohio River, and Toledo was reached via trackage rights over the Ann Arbor. After ownership by Henry Ford, the Pennsylvania Railroad, through the Pennroad Corporation, gained control of the DT&I during 1929. The 1976 creation of Conrail resulted in trackage rights to Cincinnati from Springfield for the DT&I. The railroad stayed out of Conrail, and was put up for sale by Penn Central. The Chessie System and Norfolk and Western launched a joint bid, and Grand Trunk Western also bid. The ICC approved the GTW proposal, and Grand Trunk acquired the line. The Grand Trunk abandoned the line between Springfield and Ironton, and then sold most of the remainder to the Indiana and Ohio during 1997.   
DT&I-Wikipedia   DT&I-Photos   DT&I-Photos

[nanaimo73]

July 1- Wisconsin and Southern begins operations.
The Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad entered bankruptcy on December 18, 1977. The reorganization plan included abandoning the western end of the system, and a number of the Midwest branches. The State of Wisconsin stepped forward, and purchased 378 miles of the former Milwaukee Road. This included 147 miles, reaching from Glendale Yard to Oshkosh. The bidding to operate the line was won by FSC Corporation. Operations began on July 1, 1980, with leased Milwaukee Road SD9 506 and SD7 522, newly painted green. The WSOR has grown over the years, and now reaches Chicago. Headquarters and the shops are located in Horicon (Photos).
Website   Website   Website   Roster   Photos   Photos   Photos   Photos 

August 3- Chicago to Detroit Turboliner extended to Toledo.
Amtrak acquired 6 Rohr Turboliner trainsets during the 1970s for service out of Chicago. Service began on September 28, 1973, between Chicago and St. Louis. Other routes from Chicago reached Milwaukee, Port Huron and Detroit. On August 3, 1980, the Chicago to Detroit run was lengthened southward to Toledo. The previously named St. Clair became Amtrak's Lake Cities. The last Lake Cities ran on April 1, 1995.
Photos   Photos   Photo   Photo

August 6- 118 mile Adirondack Railway shuts down.
The former New York Central line from Utica to Lake Placid, NY, was abandoned by Penn Central following flooding during 1971. The Adirondack Railway was formed during 1976 to operate the 118 mile line for passenger service during the 1980 Winter Olympics. The State of New York had purchased the line, and they shut down the Adirondack Railway on August 6, 1980, after a number of derailments. A resumption in service occurred in September, which lasted until February 1981. 1988 saw the creation of the Adirondack Railway Preservation Society, which began running excursions on July 4, 1992. 
Website   1951 timetable   Photos

August 8- UP 3985 passes 375psi pressure test, allowing restoration.
From the Union Pacific website- Union Pacific Challenger No. 3985 was designed by Union Pacific and built in 1943 by the American Locomotive Company. It is one of 105 Challengers built for Union Pacific between 1936 and 1943 and is the only operating engine of its class in the world today - the largest and most powerful operating steam locomotive. No. 3985 last operated in "regular" train service in 1957. It was retired in 1962 and stored in the roundhouse in Cheyenne, Wyoming, until 1975 when it was placed on display near the Cheyenne depot.
John Boehner came up with the idea of restoring the engine during October 1978, and it moved inside the roundhouse on October 10, 1979. January 17, 1981 saw the first fire lit, and the 3985 again moved under its own power on March 18.
Website   Wikipedia   Photos   Photos

August 10- Amtrak's Prairie Marksman begins service to Peoria.
The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific operated their Peoria Rocket between Chicago and Peoria until January 1, 1979. During 1980 Amtrak and Illinois got together to run a 14 month experimental train between Chicago and East Peoria. This route used the Illinois Central Gulf between Chicago and Chenoa, IL, and the Toledo, Peoria and Western from there. The first northbound Train 312 on August 10 was pulled by F40PH 312. The last Prairie Marksman ran on October 4, 1981.   
Photos

September 7- Auto-Train announces bankruptcy.
Auto-Train Corporation was founded by Eugene Garfield, to haul passengers and their cars between Northern Virginia and Central Florida. Power for the service was provided by 13 GE U36B's, along with 4 Baldwin switchers. The auto carriers came from Canadian National, rebuilt with passenger trucks. The passenger cars all had domes, and most came from the ATSF or UP. Other cars came from BN, L&N, N&W, SCL, and WP. These passenger cars were placed behind the auto carriers, and steam generator cars were placed at the rear. Operating personnel were provided by the railroads, initially 4 on the RF&P and 5 on SCL. Auto-Train began on December 6, 1971, running between Lorton, VA and Sanford, FL. This service utilized 94 miles of the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac and 766 miles of the Seaboard Coast Line. After the success of the first route, a second route was added on May 24, 1974 between Sanford, FL and Louisville, KY, 995 miles in length. The Louisville route was not successful, and was combined with Amtrak's Floridian later on, lasting until Sept. 4, 1977. AT suffered equipment shortages after a few derailments, and declared bankruptcy on September 7, 1980. The last Auto-Train arrived in Sanford on May 1, 1981. Amtrak believed the service on the original route could be profitable, and it was resurrected on October 30, 1983.
Wikipedia  Website  Photos  Photo

September 11- ACE 3000 steam locomotive concept announced.
The ACE 3000 was to be a modern steam locomotive that could compete with a GP40. This concept was based on a 300 psi 4 cylinder 4-8-2 featuring balanced drive. Estimated cost of a 200 engine order was roughly $1 million each. Designs changed as time passed, and ACE 3000-4 and ACE 3000-8 diagrams appeared. May 25, 1983 saw the COALS Ltd. partnership announced. Coal Oriented Advanced Locomotives Systems included Burlington Northern, Chessie System and Babcock and Wilcox. The COALS partnership fell apart later due to differences between BN and B&W. During January 1985, Ross Rowland tested his 4-8-4 614 hauling coal in West Virginia to gather data.  
ACE details   More details   Photos

 
September 11- C&O 614, Lima's last 4-8-4, steams for first time since 1956.
The American Freedom Train toured the United States during 1975 and 1976 to celebrate the U.S. Bicentennial. The train was pulled by three steam locomotives through different parts of the Country. The first steam locomotive to power the train was former Reading Company 2101, a 4-8-4. After the Bicentennial, Ross Rowland, the owner of the 2101, convinced the Chessie System to use his locomotive for the Chessie Steam Special during 1977 and 1978. The engine went into winter storage in the roundhouse in Silver Grove, KY. On March 7, 1978, the roundhouse burned down, damaging the 2101. The Chessie System worked out a deal with Mr Rowland, trading him another 4-8-4, C&O 614 for the damaged 2101. The 2101 became American Freedom Train 1, and went to the B&O Museum for display. C&O 614 was built by Lima during 1948, and ran until 1956. After a test run on September 11, 1980, the engine began excursion service on September 13. 
Photos   Photos


September 29- Amtrak begins LRC service in New England.
Montreal Locomotive Works designed the lightweight LRC during the early 1970s. MLW was acquired by Bombardier during 1979, and they built 2 trainsets for Amtrak. The two locomotives were numbered 38 and 39, while the 10 coaches were 40 to 49.
LRC-1 38 was completed and began testing in Canada on February 28, 1980. September 29, 1980, saw the first trainset enter service on their route between New York and Boston. Both trainsets are shown here operating back to back. The lease was allowed to expire, and the equipment returned to Canada during May 1982. The former 38 and 39 became VIA 6941 and 6942, but did not enter service. After donating various parts, they were sold to Saturn International during late 1990. Bombardier built 21 LRC-2 locomotives for VIA, 6900-6920, which entered service during April 1982. Another 10 LRC-3s arrived during 1984, numbered 6921-6930. The last VIA LRC was withdrawn during 2001 and retired in 2002.   
Wikipedia

[nanaimo73]

October 1- Amtrak's Hoosier State begins service in Indiana.
Amtrak served Indianapolis from Chicago with the Floridian to Florida and the James Whitcomb Riley to Cincinnati beginning in 1971. Due to deteriorating track conditions on Penn Central, both trains were routed around the City on August 1, 1974. The Hoosier State was inaugurated on October 1, 1980 to reconnect Chicago with Indianapolis. Intermediate stops were Dyer, Lafayette and Crawfordsville, Indiana. One purpose of the train is to haul cars from the major hub of Chicago to the Beech Grove shops. Transportation costs for cars between Chicago and the shops were estimated at $200,000 per year. Currently the Hoosier State runs 4 days per week, while the Cardinal performs the service on the other three days.  
Website   Photos

October 14- Staggers Rail Act signed into law.
America's railroads were not healthy during the 1960s and 1970s. Strangling legislation from the Theodore Roosevelt era, such as the Hepburn Act, had caused a lack of investment and a build up of deferred maintenance. Competing modes of transport, such as the trucking industry, were faced with only limited regulation. The bankruptcy of the Penn Central during 1970, and several connecting roads, focused attention on the need to deregulate the industry. The Regional Rail Reorganization Act (3R Act) of 1973 was the first step, leading to the creation of Conrail from the northeastern bankrupts. The Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act (4R Act) of 1976 was the next step, and included help for Midwestern railroads. Following the bankruptcy of the Rock Island (1975) and the Milwaukee Road (1977) forced further government attention. The Staggers Rail Act allowed railroads to set their own rates, and gave them the ability to turn away unprofitable traffic. It also forced the
Interstate Commerce Commission  to rule on abandonments within 9 months.
Website   Website   Website

October 20- St. Louis Southwestern purchases Golden State route.
Following the bankruptcy of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific during 1975, Southern Pacific entered negotiations with the Rock Island during 1978 to purchase the line from St. Louis to New Mexico. To avoid the terms of the Central Pacific Conditions, the actual purchase was to be made by subsidiary St. Louis Southwestern. Interim operation by the SSW began on March 24, 1980. The purchase price was $57 million for 909 miles (and 85 miles of rights), much lower per mile than the following purchases of the former CRI&P system. Included in the sale was 604 miles from Santa Rosa, NM, to Topeka, KS; 27 miles from Bucklin to Dodge City, KS; trackage rights between Topeka and Leeds Jct, MO; 278 miles from Leeds Jct. to Rock Island Jct, MO; and trackage rights into St. Louis. Following the acquisition, it was necessary to rebuild the line. During the first year, this included 50 miles of new welded rail, over 1 million ties, 210 trainloads of ballast and 110 high-speed spring switches west of Topeka. Trackage rights were acquired over Missouri Pacific (now Union Pacific) between Kansas City and St. Louis, negating the need to rebuild the line across Missouri. The SSW operated the east end as far as Owensville, principally the power plant at Labadie.      
 

November 1- Chessie System and Seaboard Coast Line Industries form CSX.
Southern Pacific and Seaboard Coast Line began studying merger during 1977 (announced on December 15), with the goal of creating America's first truly transcontinental railroad. SP, along with subsidiary St. Louis Southwestern, totaled 13,445 miles. SCL was a 16,371 mile system operating under the name Family Lines. Subsidiaries of SCL were the  Louisville and Nashville,  Clinchfield,  Georgia,  Atlanta and West Point, and the Western Railroad of Alabama. Seaboard called the merger off of May 18, 1978, perhaps fearing counter-mergers, such as Southern plus Union Pacific. In response, Southern Pacific continued to acquire SCL stock, gaining 9.6%, and becoming Family Lines biggest shareholder, before the ICC stopped SP from buying more stock. In defense, SCL looked to the Chessie System for a merger partner. The Chessie System was a combination of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and the Western Maryland Railway. CSX Corporation was incorporated in Virginia on November 14, 1978. CSX had 28,212 route miles on its November 1st debut, the longest railroad in North America. Other members of the new family were the B&O Chicago Terminal; Chicago, South Shore & South Bend; Staten Island; Columbia, Newberry & Laurens; Durham and Southern; Gainesville Midland; Carrollton; and the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac. The Family lines became the Seaboard System, which was absorbed by CSX Transportation on July 1, 1986. WM was merged into the B&O, which was merged into the C&O, which in turn was merged into CSXT August 31, 1987. It took until April 18, 1986 for the first CSX painted locomotive to appear, GP40-2 6382.  
CSX family tree   Name origin

November 21- Burlington Northern merges St. Louis-San Francisco.
The Burlington Northern and the St. Louis-San Francisco submitted their merger to the Interstate Commerce Commission on January 24, 1979, and it was approved on April 17, 1980. May 19, 1980 was the date set for the consummation; however the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad blocked the merger through the Federal Appeals Court. After the stay was lifted BN and the SLSF finalized the deal on November 21. 
SLSF Photos   More Photos

November 29- PM 1225 removed from Michigan State University to be restored.
The Pere Marquette Railway acquired a total of 39 2-8-4 Berkshire steam locomotives from Lima Locomotive Works between 1937 and 1944. The 1225 was in a group of 12 built in 1941. The engine saw service until 1951, and then was donated to Michigan State University on June 6, 1957. Restoration work began slowly during 1969, and a stationary steam test was held on October 5, 1975. The move off of the University grounds on November 29 was followed on February 19, 1983 by a move northeast to the Ann Arbor shop in Owosso. PM 1225 was able to move under her own power on November 30, 1985, and excursions began on October 8, 1988. The movie The Polar Express used the 1225 as a basis for their animation. 
Website   Photos 

December 3- Northwestern Steel and Wire ends steam operations.
The Grand Trunk Western sold 16 0-8-0 steam switching locomotives to the Northwestern Steel & Wire Company, located in Sterling, Illinois, during 1960. The oldest 6 were built by Alco, 3 more by Lima, and the newest 7 were Baldwins. They decided not to scrap the locomotives, and use them instead to switch their yard. Fourteen of the sixteen switchers saw use in Sterling over the years, and most of them were converted to oil burners during the early 1970s. The last 0-8-0 in use was the 73, formerly GTW 8373. Seven of these locomotives still survive. 
NWSW history   Wikipedia   Illinois steam   Photos

December- N&W receives first SD50, 6500.
EMD's replacement for the successful SD40-2 was developed during the late 1970s. The first step was the 5 SD40-2SS, Burlington Northern 7049-7053, built during April 1978. Featured inside was the new Super Series electrical system. These locomotives became BNSF 7049-7053. During September 1979 Kansas City Southern received 4 SD40X, numbered 700-703. The SD40X had an increase in horsepower to 3500, and a new single-axel wheelslip control system. The 6 Norfolk and Western SD50 engines, 6500-6505, were built during December 1980. Following SD50's were 2' longer, resulting in the N&W units being called SD50S's (Short). The Utah Ry also has 5 SD50S locomotives, built in Australia by Clyde. N&W 6500-6505 became NS 6500-6505, and some have been scrapped. The 421 full sized SD50's began with 10 for Kansas City Southern, 704-713. Next came 60 for the Seaboard, 80 for Conrail, 23 for Chesapeake & Ohio, 20 for Southern, 20 for Baltimore & Ohio and 17 for the Denver & Rio Grande Western. Horsepower was boosted to 3600 for 60 Missouri Pacific engines, 5000-5059, delivered in Union Pacific colors. These were followed by repeat orders for Seaboard (21), Conrail (55), and C&O (20). Chicago and North Western got the last SD50's, 35 numbered 7000-7034. GMD in Canada also built 60 cowled SD50F engines for Canadian National.   
Wikipedia   Photos   Photos

December 22- N&W applies for sole ownership of Illinois Terminal.
Illinois Terminal was a former Interurban railroad that covered central Illinois. On June 15, 1956 it was purchased by nine Class 1's as the Illinois Terminal Railroad Co. The new owners were B&O, C&EI, CB&Q, GM&O, IC, L&M, NYC&StL, SLSF and the Wabash. Later on they were joined by the CRI&P and NYC as additional owners. These owning railroads decided on September 29, 1980 that N&W could become the sole owner, and the application was made to the ICC on December 22. ITRC was purchased solely by Norfolk & Western on September 1, 1981, and merger took place on May 8, 1982.
IT Photos   Photos   Roster

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Dale's Trackside Guides

#1-Mississippi River Crossings
This is a study of the Railroad crossings over the Mississippi River.

#2-Amtrak's Current Routes
A detailed accounting of which railroad owns every mile of track used by Amtrak.

#3-Class 1 Railroads in the 1950s 
A summary of the 127 class 1 railroads in 1950.

#4-The Milwaukee Road Mainline
Points of interest on the CMSP&P mainline from Chicago to Seattle and Portland.

#5-Montana Rail Link, I&MRL and IC&E Rosters 

#6-GP30 Ownership
A simple rundown of the dozens of owners of GP30 locomotives.

#7-Amtrak's Original Routes
A look at the routes used by Amtrak on May 1st, 1971.

#8-Continental Divide Crossings
A summary of the railroad crossings of the Continental Divide in North America

#9-Iowa's Counties
A listing of the railroads operating in Iowa's 99 Counties today and in
1985 and 1930.

#10-America's Regional Railroads
A look at the 62 current and former Regional Railroads in the United States

#11-AC Ownership
Owners of locomotives with AC traction motors

#12-Ohio's Counties
A listing of the railroads operating in Ohio's 88 Counties today and in
1985 and 1930.

#13-1980
A look at the events that took place during 1980 affecting America's railroads.

#14-Pieces of the Rock
Surviving rail lines and locomotives of the Rock Island Railroad.

#15-Amtrak's Abandoned Routes
A State by State list of routes previously used by Amtrak.

#16-Missouri River Crossings
A study of the Railroad crossings over the Missouri River.

Dale's Nexus

[Railfan1]

Wow, what a busy year for the railroads. Very interesting thread, well done!

[Andrew Falconer]

When the Rock Island stopped running and GTW acquired DT&I it meant that GTW suddenly had access to more motive power with DT&I GP38s and GP40s and former ROCK GP38-2 units. 1980 was an interesting year.

[JoeKoh]

chessie units running around.switchers doing the local jobs.crews stopping at the depot to get food from a couple places while waiting. riding my bike to look at the cpls in defiance and the ns trains on the other side of town(now maumee & western).wish I started taking pics back then!! thanks for the memories.

stay safe

joe

[nanaimo73]

Wish I started taking pics back then!!

 stay safe

joe

I wish I had as well.

As far as America's railroads are concerned, 2006 looks pretty dull compared to 1980.