1 – After a bankruptcy, Spokane International Railway is reorganized as Spokane International Railroad. October 26 – The Illinois Central Railroad introduces the Land O'Corn passenger train between Chicago, Illinois and Waterloo, Iowa. The new train uses "Motorailer" diesel multiple units manufactured by American Car and Foundry. October – Robert E. Woodruff becomes president of the Erie Railroad. November events November 17 – The Prospector multiple unit passenger trainset debuts on the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad in operating between Denver, Colorado, and Salt Lake City, Utah. December events December – British War Department takes over operation of Trans-Iranian Railway from Bandar Shahpur to Teheran to assist in sending wartime supplies to the USSR. December 7 – The New York Central Railroad, with much fanfare, launches a new Empire State Express. The bombing of Pearl Harbor puts an immediate damper on the planned festivities. December 9 – Chesapeake and Ohio Railway officials accept the first 2-6-6-6 Allegheny steam locomotive from the Lima Locomotive Works. Despite many claims made by Alco, Union Pacific Railroad and others for the 4-8-8-4 Big Boy, the Alleghenies are the largest steam locomotives ever built for service in the United States. December 19 – The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad extends the Columbian passenger train from Jersey City-Washington to Jersey City-Chicago. Unknown date events The first of over 8,000 Kriegslokomotive 2-10-0 steam locomotives is introduced into service on the Deutsche Reichsbahn. The Heisler Locomotive Works produces the last Heisler locomotive. The Hollywood, a lounge car built for use on the City of Los Angeles becomes the first passenger car whose interior is built entirely out of synthetic materials. The car's interior features the newly invented materials of Formica and naugahyde. General Motors Electro-Motive Division introduces the EMD TR1. Armand Mercier succeeds Angus Daniel McDonald as president of the Southern Pacific Company, parent company of the Southern Pacific Railroad. Sacramento Northern Railway ceases interurban services. Accidents Births Deaths February deaths February 1 – William Gibbs McAdoo, American lawyer, statesman and Director General of Railroads during World War I (born 1863). April deaths April 5 – Nigel Gresley, Chief mechanical engineer of the London and North Eastern Railway 1923–1941 (born 1876). April 16 – Josiah Stamp, Chairman of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway 1926-1941 (born 1880) (in an air raid). Unknown date deaths Angus Daniel McDonald, president of the Southern Pacific Company, parent company of the Southern