discontinues the Super Continental and Atlantic passenger trains. December December 11 – The Seer Green rail crash occurred near Seer Green, Buckinghamshire, England, killing a driver and three passengers. Unknown date Maine Central Railroad Company is purchased by Guilford Transportation Industries. 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 W. Stinson succeeds Fred Burbidge as president of Canadian Pacific Railway. The New York City Subway discontinues use of its R8A revenue car. The Northeast Rail Service Act of 1981 was signed into law. Conrail discontinues its electric operations. Yamanote Line introduces Automatic Train Control, city circle railway of Tokyo is now operated without lineside signals. Previously such system has been installed only at subways and high-speed lines. Accidents Births Deaths May deaths May 11 - Rogers E. M. Whitaker ("E. M. Frimbo"), writer on rail travel (b. 1900). References (February 2005) Trains Timeline, Trains Magazine, p. 9