No. 405 makes it debut on Jan. 4.
Metra
CHICAGO – Chicago area commuter railroad Metra is expected release newly painted Milwaukee Road heritage unit No. 405 for revenue service on Thursday, a source close to the railroad tells Trains News Wire. The locomotive is tentatively assigned to Metra train No. 2119 departing Chicago at 1:35 p.m. and arriving Grayslake at 2:56 p.m. It will return on train No. 2142 departing Grayslake at 3:58 p.m. and arriving Chicago at 5:10 p.m.
Metra announced the locomotive, it’s second in heritage colors, on Jan. 4. The Boise-built MP36 locomotive was recently overhauled by Metra and was scheduled to receive a new coat of paint as part of the rebuild process.
The commuter carrier operates two former Milwaukee Road routes: Chicago to Fox Lake and Chicago to Elgin (Big Timber). With the locomotive based out of Metra’s Western Avenue shops, a former Milwaukee Road facility, No. 405 will see plenty of service on the two former Milwaukee Road routes.
Metra’s first heritage locomotive was Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific-inspired MP36 No. 425 which debuted in January 2018. Locomotive No. 425 was repainted to honor Metra’s outgoing CEO Don Orseno who began his career on the Rock Island in 1974.
