WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — Metro-North Railroad has unveiled the fourth locomotive in its heritage series, this time wrapping P32AC-DM No. 217 in Penn Central colors.
The locomotive made its debut today on a Hudson Line train departing Croton-Harmon at 7:58 a.m. and arriving at Grand Central Terminal at 8:55 a.m.
“Every new wrapped locomotive reminds us of the incredible history of rail travel in the region that preceded the formation of Metro-North Railroad,” Metro-North Railroad President Catherine Rinaldi said in a press release. “These wraps give rail enthusiasts and everyone who uses Metro-North every day an opportunity to step back in time as they travel down the scenic Hudson River.”
Prior locomotives in the series honored the Conrail, New York Central, and the original Metro-North paint scheme. Metro-North says the wrapped locomotives will remain in service for the foreseeable future.
The MTA press release about the heritage unit explains the reason for the blue and yellow. It was part of the operating agreement between MTA and PC to rehabilitate some locomotives and paint them in New York State colors, blue and yellow.
I am with Gerald, I only remember PC as being black.
I’m with Paul Dietz (below). Some commuter locos were as in the picture. I don’t recall seeing one myself but seems to me I saw a photo or two in Trains Magazine.
I always liked the Penn Central Logo. I always thought it was a clever design.
How do they wrap a locomotive – with vinyl?
Yes, vinyl. Cheaper than paint. Faster to apply. Doesn’t last as long as paint but should last longer than Penn Central.
Why is it not black?
This was the paint scheme used on the FL-9 locomotives, I don’t remember why they used the blue and yellow but they sure looked better than the PC black and white.