This article will list events related to rail transport that occurred in 1883.

Events

January events

• January 12 - The second transcontinental railroad line in North America is completed as the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks from Los Angeles, California meet the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio at the Pecos River. The golden spike is driven by Col. Tom Pierce, the GH&SA president, atop the Pecos River High Bridge

August events

• August - The Toledo, Cincinnati and St. Louis Railway enters receivership.

Unknown date events

• The National Railway Appliance Exhibition is held in Chicago, Illinois.
• William Henry Vanderbilt resigns from the presidency of the New York Central system and appoints his heirs to chairmanship positions in the system's constituent railroad companies.

Births

Deaths