I was reading the news paper today and in the Cue section there is a on this date in history. In 1889 the Union Pacific railroad began direct railroad service between. Chicago and Portland Ore. As well as Chicago and San Francisco. What i think it is really cool to find out stuff like this. It can show some interesting things from history. I also read in the same section about a month or so ago that it was 10 years ago on that date (Don’t remember the day) was the date that the amtrak train crashed into the river from when the tug boat hit the bridge. Messing up the tracks and derailing the train and sending it into the river.
Might I suggest that you read Ray’s (“Canadian Pacific 2816”) ongoing thread “On This Date in Railroad History”. He has had those items pretty well covered, including the two specific items you mentioned. I’m sure he would appreciate any added items that your paper’s column could come up with, or corrections to items that his source presents.
Of course, UP couldn’t have run those trains without cooperation from C&NW and (in the case of San Francisco) Central Pacific.