Karmactive Team
Metro-North Railroad has added another piece of rolling history to its tracks with the unveiling of its seventh heritage locomotive. The latest addition, locomotive No. 203, stands out from its predecessors as the first to feature a hand-painted design rather than a vinyl wrap.
The locomotive showcases the 1979 “MTA Central” paint scheme – a silver body with a distinctive blue stripe. This design originally appeared on Conrail dual-mode locomotives that operated on the former New York Central’s Hudson and Harlem lines during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Unlike the previous six heritage units that used vinyl wraps, Metro-North employees at the North White Plains Paint Shop meticulously painted this locomotive by hand. The finished product was first shown to employees on June 13, and passengers will see it in regular service starting Friday, June 20, 2025.
“This locomotive is a celebration of Metro-North’s rich history,” said Metro-North Railroad President Justin Vonashek. “This locomotive, like everything we do at Metro-North, is a testament to the hard work of our employees and the progress we’ve made over the last 40 years.”
The Heritage Series began in May 2023 to mark Metro-North’s 40th anniversary. Each locomotive in the series honors a different chapter in the railroad’s history:
The first locomotive (No. 208) featured Metro-North’s original 1983 design with silver, blue, and red colors.
The second (No. 201) paid tribute to Conrail, which operated commuter services from 1976 to 1982 before Metro-North was formed.
The third locomotive (No. 211) showcased New York Central’s iconic “lightning-stripe” design, honoring the railroad that originally built the Hudson and Harlem lines.
The fourth (No. 217) honored Penn Central and its partnership with MTA starting in 1970, which improved commuter rail service.
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The fifth locomotive (No. 214) took a different approach by featuring a mosaic of 2,000 photographs of past and present Metro-North employees.
The sixth locomotive (No. 222) displayed the olive green and dandelion yellow colors of the New Haven Railroad, used until 1954.
All these heritage locomotives remain in active service, operating regular passenger trains on Metro-North’s Hudson, Harlem, and New Haven Lines.
The special designs have sparked enthusiasm among both commuters and train enthusiasts. Online forums and social media have buzzed with positive comments about the historical accuracy and visual appeal of these locomotives.
By maintaining these historic color schemes in working locomotives rather than museum pieces, Metro-North offers passengers a daily connection to the region’s transportation history. Each painted or wrapped locomotive serves as a moving reminder of the different railroads that shaped today’s commuter network.
The “MTA Central” livery on locomotive No. 203 has particular significance as it represents a transition period when the MTA was increasing its involvement in commuter rail operations, eventually leading to Metro-North’s creation in 1983.
The seven locomotives now provide a rolling timeline of the railroad’s evolution over the decades, from the early days of the New Haven Railroad through the formation of Penn Central, the Conrail era, and finally Metro-North’s own 40-year history.
Travelers on Metro-North’s lines might now spot any of these distinctive locomotives leading their train, offering a colorful glimpse into the past while providing modern commuter service.
