May 21

Events - Transportation & Infrastructure

1871day.year

Opening of the first rack railway in Europe, the Rigi Bahnen on Mount Rigi.

Europe’s first rack railway, the Rigi Bahnen on Mount Rigi, opened in 1871, pioneering mountain transport technology.
On May 21, 1871, the Rigi Bahnen became the first railway in Europe to employ a rack-and-pinion system. Engineered by Niklaus Riggenbach, it conquered steep mountain grades around Lucerne, Switzerland. The line connected Goldau with the summit area, offering panoramic vistas of the Alps and Lake Lucerne. It revolutionized mountain tourism and inspired similar railways across Europe. Today, the Rigi Bahnen operates as a heritage line with both vintage and modern trains, celebrating its pioneering legacy.
rack railway Rigi Bahnen Mount Rigi
1894day.year

The Manchester Ship Canal in the United Kingdom is officially opened by Queen Victoria, who later knights its designer Sir Edward Leader Williams.

Queen Victoria inaugurated the Manchester Ship Canal in 1894, transforming Manchester into a major inland port.
On May 21, 1894, the 36-mile Manchester Ship Canal, engineered by Sir Edward Leader Williams, was officially opened. Queen Victoria presided over the inauguration ceremony, later knighting Williams for his achievement. The canal linked Manchester directly to the Irish Sea, bypassing Liverpool and reducing transport costs. It fueled industrial growth in northwest England by allowing ocean-going vessels to reach the city. The canal remains operational today and stands as a testament to Victorian industrial ambition.
1894 Manchester Ship Canal Queen Victoria knights Sir Edward Leader Williams