The Metra commemorative locomotive was introduced on June 24 to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Metra commemorative locomotive debuts for U.S. 250th
Photo: Metra

Metra commemorative locomotive design

Metra Executive Director and CEO Jim Derwinski said in a press release⁠:

“This locomotive […] commemorates the important role that railroads played in the expansion and development of our nation,”

“It will remind everyone who sees it that America’s strength has always come from people working together: from communities connected by steel rails, and from workers committed to service.”

Progress Rail carried out the painting work using a design by Metra Senior Graphic Designer Falecia Woods, with input from the operations team.

Remanufactured locomotives and funding

Metra officials said the locomotive is part of a group of remanufactured former freight locomotives ordered from Progress Rail Locomotives of La Grange⁠. Metra purchased 42 locomotives using a combination of state and federal funding, with the order valued at $206 million.

Railroad officials said the remanufactured locomotives meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Tier 3 emissions standards⁠, making them the cleanest locomotives in the Metra fleet.

The anniversary locomotive is tied to Metra’s wider SD70-MACH programme. In its 2024 Annual Report⁠, Metra described these units as former freight locomotives reconfigured for passenger use with refurbished, upgraded or new components. The agency said it chose remanufactured locomotives instead of new ones primarily because it could buy more of them and replace a greater number of older models. By the start of 2025, Metra had ordered 33 SD70-MACH locomotives and received 22.