By Railfan & Railroad Magazine

Metra has released a specially painted F40PH to honor all veterans and active-duty service members and reservists on Veterans Day. 

Locomotive 120 was revealed over the weekend. Later this month, it will enter service on the Rock Island Line, before moving to the BNSF and the Milwaukee District lines in December. In January, the locomotive will serve the three lines operated by Union Pacific. 

“Metra has strong ties to our nation’s armed forces, with more than 300 veterans and reservists currently at work on our railroad,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski, who is himself a veteran of the U.S. Navy. “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.”

Locomotive 120, which first entered Metra service in 1977, received the new paint scheme during its most recent rehab. The design was created in-house by Metra graphic designer Falecia Woods and was applied at Metra’s Kensington Yard Facility paint shop lead by General Foreman Paul Jurlow.

In recent years, railroads like Union Pacific, Canadian Pacific, Canadian National, Amtrak, Genesee & Wyoming and many others have released locomotives in tribute to veterans.