its light rail system. October 13 – Inauguration of Eurostar service between Brussels and London by King Albert II and Queen Paola of Belgium. November events November 14 - First commercial Eurostar services Brussels<>London and Paris<>London. November 30 - Alaska Railroad, which lacks a direct rail connection with the rest of the North American rail network, brings a 700-foot (213 m) long railgrinder to Alaska by ship at a cost of $1.2 million to service the company's tracks. December events December 3 - In Japan, Chizu Express, Chizu and Kamigori route open, with Kyoto to Tottori of direct Super Hakuto Express train to start. December 13 - The Interstate Commerce Commission grants Union Pacific Railroad authority to exercise management control over the Chicago and North Western Railway. December 16 - Last run of Via Rail Atlantic Limited passenger service through Maine between Montreal and the Maritimes. December 31 - Burlington Northern Railroad operates the last freight train on the former Oregon Electric Railway mainline in Portland, Oregon; the mainline is to become part of the new TriMet light rail system. Unknown date events Norfolk Southern ends railroad-sponsored steam excursions. Towards the end of the year, regular use of steam locomotives on the Janakpur Railway, Nepal, is abandoned following the transfer of narrow gauge diesel locomotives from Indian Railways. Accidents Deaths May deaths May 14 - W. Graham Claytor Jr., president of Amtrak 1982–1993 (b. 1912). September deaths September 21 - Oswald Nock, English railway author and signalling engineer (b. 1905). References Alaska Railroad, Alaska Railroad History. Retrieved July 20, 2006. Blaszak, Michael W. (June 1995), "Chicago & North Western: A survivor no more", Trains magazine, p. 17-20. (May 1995), "Freight out, light rail in", Trains magazine, p. 24. (March 29, 2005), History of railway companies in Nova Scotia. Retrieved August 26, 2005. Indian Railways Fan Club, IR History: Part - V (1970–1995). Retrieved August 22, 2005. (May 1995), "Scanner - Rail at fault?", Trains magazine, p. 21. External links