Climb aboard the red, white and blue express as Metra honors America’s 250th

Metra passengers across the region have the chance to ride in a traveling tribute to the nation’s 250th anniversary this summer.

A red, white and blue locomotive hit the tracks last week and will be making appearances throughout the region just in time for July 4.

The specially painted engine is Metra’s semiquincentennial gift to the Chicago region, state, and USA, Executive Director Jim Derwinski said.

“This locomotive also commemorates the important role that railroads played in the expansion and development of our nation. As this locomotive travels the rails, it will do more than push and pull commuter trains in our region. It will carry a message,” he noted.

“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,” Derwinski added in a statement.

Where can you find the locomotive? This week, it’s traveling on the Milwaukee North Line and other Milwaukee District routes for the foreseeable future.

Costs of the project were minimal since the refurbished locomotive already needed a fresh coat of paint, Metra spokesperson Meg Thomas-Reile said.

The engine is a rebuilt freight locomotive and 26th out of 42 that the agency has ordered from supplier Progress Rail Locomotives of LaGrange for $206 million. The replacements are more fuel efficient and emit less pollution than older engines in Metra’s fleet, and are cheaper than new ones.

The last installment of the locomotives will be delivered by the end of 2027.