CHICAGO — Metra has added to its fleet of specially painted locomotives with an F40PH-3 honoring veterans.
The Chicago Sun-Times reports the unit, introduced last week at a luncheon to honor veterans who work at the commuter rail operator, will enter service on the Rock Island District, moving to the BNSF and Milwaukee District lines in December and then to the three Union Pacific lines in January.
Currently 300 veterans work for Metra. That includes Executive Director/CEO Jim Derwinski, a Navy veteran who served as an electrician in the nuclear submarine fleet. “This eye-catching design is another way to express our gratitude for the service of all veterans and for our employees’ continued service to the people of Northeast Illinois,” Derwinski said in a press release.
The design — unusual in that it is distinctly different on each side of the locomotive — was created by Metra graphic designer Falecia Woods and applied at Metra’s Kensington Yard paint shop, led by General Foreman Paul Jurlow.
Great job. I love the saluting services on the other side.
Nicely done!