February 26

In February 1870, Alfred Beach completed the Beach Pneumatic Transit system to demonstrate air-powered travel beneath New York City's streets. The pilot tunnel under Broadway spanned approximately 312 feet and carried a single passenger capsule propelled by compressed air. The demonstration captivated the public, offering thousands the chance to experience this novel form of urban transport. Plans to expand the system were abandoned due to political pushback and funding shortfalls. Although the project ended, it laid conceptual groundwork for the development of future subway systems in New York and elsewhere.

On February 26, 1914, Harland and Wolff in Belfast launched HMHS Britannic, the third of the Olympic-class liners. Designed as a hospital ship, Britannic featured stronger bulkheads and expanded lifeboat capacity in response to lessons from the Titanic disaster. The massive vessel measured 882 feet and could accommodate over 3,500 personnel. Although she never served as a passenger liner, Britannic played a key medical role during World War I. Her design innovations influenced maritime safety standards for decades to come.

On February 26, 1979, Amtrak put its new Superliner railcars into service on long-distance trains across the United States. These double-decker cars offered increased seating capacity, panoramic windows, and enhanced passenger comfort. Designed for routes such as the California Zephyr and Empire Builder, the Superliners featured modern dining cars and sleeping accommodations. Their introduction addressed rising ridership and the need for more efficient long-haul travel. The success of the Superliner fleet led to further investments in upgraded rolling stock throughout Amtrak's national network. They remain an iconic element of American passenger rail service to this day.