Portal:Trains/Did you know/Main page, 2004

The following facts related to rail transport have appeared in the Did you know section of Wikipedia's Main page in 2004.

Observation car

...that, although normally run as the last car of a passenger train, the interiors of observation cars could include features of a coach, lounge, diner, or sleeper?
...that the first railroad steam locomotive built by Rogers Locomotive and Machine Works was also the first locomotive to operate in the U.S. state of Ohio?
...that when the John Bull ran under its own power in 1981 it became the oldest operable steam locomotive in the world?
...that narrow gauge railways are cheaper than standard-size tracks and are often built in developing countries?

Example dual gauge arrangement

...dual gauge railway generally consists of three rails, rather than the standard two rails?
...that the 1984 Summit tunnel fire in England may have been the biggest underground fire in transportation history?
...that Chicago Freight Subway was abandoned in 1959 and the tunnels flooded catastrophically in 1992?

...that the Union Pacific Railroad still has offices in the historic Salt Lake City Union Pacific Depot?
...that the film The Titfield Thunderbolt was inspired by the restoration of the narrow gauge Talyllyn Railway in Wales?
... that I.C.C. Commissioner John J. Esch was accused of switching his vote in a case to secure renomination by President Coolidge and the Senate refused his confirmation, 39–29?
...that the infamous man-eating lions of Tsavo attacked workers who were building the Uganda Railway which connects Uganda and Kenya?
...that the Tokyo Monorail, which travels at speeds of up to 80 kph, was constructed to coincide with the 1964 Summer Olympics?