1872 in rail transport - Definition

This article will list events related to rail transport that occurred in 1872.

Events

March events

• March 5 - George Westinghouse receives a patent for the Westinghouse air brake.

May events

• May 1 - The South Devon Railway, in England, opens.

Unknown date events

• American steam locomotive builder Manchester Locomotive Works purchases the fire engine manufacturing business of Amoskeag Locomotive Works.
• At the age of 29, William Cornelius Van Horne becomes the youngest superintendent of Illinois Central Railroad.

Births

Deaths

January deaths

• January 6 - Jim Fisk, American financier who worked with Daniel Drew for control of the Erie Railroad (b. 1834).

April deaths

• April 9 - Erastus Corning, established railroads in New York and was instrumental in the formation of New York Central (b. 1794).

August deaths

• August - Asa Whitney, one of the first backers of an American Transcontinental Railway