Metra unveils – Metra unveiled a special America 250 locomotive at the agency’s Western Avenue Coach Yard, designed by in-house graphic designer Felicia Woods. Rebuilt by Progress Rail, the train’s flag-inspired paint and Metra signature chevrons are meant to be instantly rec
On Wednesday morning, inside the Metra Western Avenue Coach Yard, a locomotive sat ready to roll with a message meant to travel just as far as the train itself.
Metra graphic designer Felicia Woods unveiled the special locomotive built for the nation’s 250th birthday during a media briefing at 2801 W. Grand Ave. in West Town. Woods described a clear goal for the design: “I wanted something that was. as it’s going down the track. easily recognizable. not too busy. but something a little bit unique.” She also emphasized how rare the assignment is for an in-house designer. “You rarely get a graphic designer, especially in-house, to design a train from start to finish by yourself.”.
Woods. who has more than 30 years of experience. said the America 250 project brought its own challenges—creating a look that would be unmistakable as the locomotive moved through Chicago. She pointed to the patriotic colors and flag-inspired styling, saying the goal was visibility at a glance. “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 is also built with the daily viewing habits of commuters in mind. Woods intentionally made both sides of the America 250 locomotive identical so onlookers would get the same visual impact from either direction. “You can usually recognize the red. white. and blue. ” she repeated. underscoring how the uniform look helps the message land quickly.
The work didn’t stop at graphics. Woods said she built the design around the train’s blueprints. accounting for doors and other mechanical features that could interfere with the final look. “It was almost like a puzzle piece, trying to figure it out,” she said. “How to keep it Metra-centric, but make it unique.”.
When she talked about what she liked most, Woods pointed to the nose—where she included Metra’s signature chevrons while preserving the railroad’s visual identity. “I was trying to think, what would make this scream Metra?” she said. “The chevrons on the front and the stripes on the side.”
Metra CEO Jim Derwinski. who was 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. He described the design as honoring “the ideals of liberty. unity and service. ” while also celebrating “the people who keep America moving every day.”.
Derwinski also tied the project to the broader role railroads have played in the country’s history—connecting communities. providing jobs. and supporting economic growth. “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 itself was rebuilt by Progress Rail Locomotives of La Grange as part of Metra’s $206 million deal. Craig McKeen of Progress Rail said the project reflects a partnership focused on extending the life of older equipment. “This has been a great partnership between Progress Rail and Metra,” McKeen said. “These locomotives represent taking older locomotives and re-purposing them to bring them to life.”.
Metra said the locomotive unveiled Wednesday is the 26th of 42 re-manufactured locomotives the agency ordered from Progress Rail. Metra media relations manager Michael Gillis said the newly painted locomotive will remain running for the foreseeable future.
In the end, Woods’ message was simple: make it readable from the track, keep it unmistakably Metra, and let the train—day after day—turn a celebration of the country into something commuters can see as they move through it.
Metra America 250 Felicia Woods Progress Rail Locomotives Jim Derwinski locomotive design Chicago transit Western Avenue Coach Yard