History of the Illinois Midland Railway built in 1914. Later tagged as "The World's Shortest Railroad," it was originally planned to cover 120 miles, but, due to financing, ended up being only 1.962 miles long.

History of the Illinois Midland Railway built in 1914. Later tagged as "The World's Shortest Railroad," it was originally planned to cover 120 miles, but, due to financing, ended up being only 1.962 miles long.

The historic steamship City of Midland 41 sailed the waters of Lake Michigan for nearly half a century, transporting railroad cars, automobiles, and passengers. After her construction in 1941 by the revered Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company, the nation's newspapers and newsreel services covered her launching and maiden voyage with enthusiastic flair. In time, she became the most beloved of all the Great Lakes car ferries. She was built as the flagship for the Pere Marquette Railway's Lake Michigan ferry fleet, and signified a bold departure from traditional Great Lakes vessel design. Her sleek outboard profile, spacious passenger accommodations, and modern interior furnishings were a hit with the traveling public. By the time she was retired from service in 1988, she had served both the Pere Marquette and Chesapeake & Ohio Railroads, transported thousands of travelers as a passenger ferry, and become known as the "Queen of the Great Lakes Car Ferries."

The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress. It is published daily when Congress is in session. The Congressional Record began publication in 1873. Debates for sessions prior to 1873 are recorded in The Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States (1789-1824), the Register of Debates in Congress (1824-1837), and the Congressional Globe (1833-1873)

This edition lists nearly 600 shortline and regional railroads in the United States and Canada. Includes the history, radio frequency, locomotive roster and other information for each line as well as diesel profiles and a listing of past shortlines.