Metro-North Railroad has wrapped one of its locomotives in patriotic colors to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Locomotive 250 is the ninth locomotive to be rebranded as part of a Heritage Series celebrating the commuter rail’s 43-year history.
It was unveiled on Thursday, April 30 during a ceremony at the railroad’s White Plains railyard.
“Today we gather not just to unveil a locomotive but to mark a moment, a moment that connects our railroad to this nation,” said Metro-North President Justin Vonashek, flanked by Revolutionary War reenactors dressed in costume.
The red, white and blue themed wrap includes a reflective American eagle that lights up at night as well as an American flag created from the words to the Declaration of Independence.
The MTA is selling a commemorative pin featuring Locomotive 250 in its Grand Central Gift Shop located in the Graybar Passageway in Grand Central Terminal.
In November, the railroad introduced Locomotive 216 honoring each branch of the U.S. armed forces for Veterans Day.
Thomas C. Zambito covers energy, transportation and economic growth for the USA TODAY Network’s New York State team. He’s won dozens of state and national writing awards from the Associated Press, Investigative Reporters and Editors, the Deadline Club and others during a decades-long career that’s included stops at the New York Daily News, The Star-Ledger of Newark and The Record of Hackensack. He can be reached at tzambito@lohud.com
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: See Metro-North Railroad unveil America 250 locomotive rebrand
Reporting by Thomas C. Zambito, New York State Team / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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