The Metro-North Railroad is bringing the past to the present with its latest entry in the "Heritage Series," a line of engines dressed in the liveries of historical railroads. As reported by Gothamist, the sixth train in the series, Genesis-model P32AC-DM locomotive No. 222, now wears the olive green and dandelion yellow of the New Haven Railroad, a color scheme dating back to 1954. Restored over several months by skilled craft workers, this locomotive's wrapping is meant to be an educational homage to metro history.
Starting its service today, the No. 222 will initially depart from Danbury at 7:51 a.m. en route to the Grand Central Terminal. Metro-North President Catherine Rinaldi stated in an announcement covered by the MTA's official site, "The Heritage Series honors and educates Metro-North customers about the railroad’s rich history." Expressing hope for sparking public interest, Rinaldi continues, “We hope our customers enjoy the addition of the vintage colors of the then New Haven Railroad and that the new locomotive sparks some curiosity about the predecessor railroads that paved the way for Metro-North.”
The Heritage Series, started in May 2023, includes locomotives with designs that reflect the railroads preceding Metro-North's establishment. These designs span from the original Metro-North design, executed in silver, blue, and red vinyl, to the subsequent ones honoring Penn Central, New York Central, and Conrail. The series not only revives historic liveries but also includes unique tributes like the locomotive wrapped with a mosaic of Metro-North employee photos, as seen in the coverage by MTA.
Each of the commemorative engines serves as a moving museum of sorts, directly engaging commuters with a tactile slice of history. According to Gothamist, the sixth locomotive was restored at the Metro-North's North White Plains, Harmon, Stamford, and New Haven shops, showcasing the dedicated work done behind the scenes.
