Not too busy, a little bit unique and something that screams Metra. That’s what graphic designer Falecia Woods envisioned when she was tasked with creating a special Metra locomotive to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday.
The locomotive was showcased during a media briefing Wednesday morning at the Metra Western Avenue Coach Yard, 2801 W. Grand Ave. in Humboldt Park, where senior graphic designer Woods described her inspiration: a chance to turn a traditional commuter train into a moving piece of artwork.
“I wanted something that was — as it’s going down the track — easily recognizable, not too busy, but something a little bit unique,” Woods said during the briefing. “You rarely get a graphic designer, especially in-house, to design a train from start to finish by yourself.”
Woods, an artist with more than 30 years of experience, also designed Metra’s Veterans Day locomotive in 2024. Woods said that she was challenged by the America 250 project, to create something that would be instantly recognizable as it traveled throughout Chicago.
The locomotive’s patriotic colors and design, inspired by the American flag, was styled differently than the Veterans Day locomotive. Woods intentionally made both sides of the America 250 locomotive identical so onlookers could get the same visual impact from either direction.
“You see it at a glance,” she said. “You can usually recognize the red, white, and blue. The sense of this is America.”
The design of the project involved more than creating graphics. Woods worked from the train’s blueprints, accounting for doors and any other mechanical features that could hinder the design.
“It was almost like a puzzle piece, trying to figure it out,” she said. “How to keep it Metra-centric, but make it unique.”
Woods said that her favorite feature of the locomotive is the nose, where she included Metra’s signature chevrons while keeping the railroad’s visual identity.
“I was trying to think, what would make this scream Metra?” Woods said. “The chevrons on the front and the stripes on the side.”
Metra CEO Jim Derwinski, also present at the briefing, said the locomotive is more than a patriotic color scheme, as the country approaches the landmark date.
“As we unveil this locomotive, we unveil more than a tribute to the United States of America,” Derwinski said. “The patriotic design honors the ideals of liberty, unity and service, while also celebrating the people who keep America moving every day.”
Derwinski noted that railroads have had a big impact on the nation’s history, connecting communities and providing jobs and economic growth for generations.
“As this locomotive travels the rails, it will do more than just pull commuter trains in our region,” he said. “It will carry a message that reminds everyone who sees it that America’s strength has always come from its people working together.”
The locomotive, which for now will operate on the Milwaukee District West, Milwaukee District North and possibly the North Central Service lines, was rebuilt by Progress Rail Locomotives of La Grange, as part of Metra’s $206 million deal.
“This has been a great partnership between Progress Rail and Metra,” said Craig McKeen of Progress Rail. “These locomotives represent taking older locomotives and re-purposing them to bring them to life.”
The locomotive is the 26th of 42 re-manufactured locomotives that Metra ordered from Progress Rail. According to media relations manager Michael Gillis, the newly painted locomotive will continue running for the foreseeable future.