Timeline Date Period

Union Pacific Railroad take delivery of the first “Big Boy” steam locomotive. By 1940, the national Defense Act encouraged railroads to develop faster, more powerful locomotives in preparation
for wartime requirements. Union Pacific responded with the 4-8-8-4 Class 4000 Big Boy, a 132-foot long, 1.2 million pound hulk. Because of its great length, the frame was articulated, or hinged, to allow it to negotiate curves. Its power was ideally suited to climb the 1.14 percent grade of the Wasatch Mountains. The last Big Boy made its final run in July 1959.

First Hunslet Austerity 0-6-0ST steamed, earliest of 377 built for war service to British Ministry of Supply order.

Soham disaster..exploding munitions wagon.

The national railway operator in the Republic of Ireland, Great Southern Railways, with  responsibility for the southern part of the Irish railway network is merged into a new national transport operator, Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ).

Devon Belle Pullman train with observation car introduced.

The UK railways were nationalised.