Metra locomotive 163 is an EMD F40PH-2 diesel-electric workhorse that carries both mechanical reliability and a touch of civic pride, bearing the name “City of Elmhurst”. Built as part of a proven lineage of commuter locomotives derived from the original F40PH design, No. 163 reflects the rugged, no-nonsense engineering that made the F40 family a staple of North American passenger railroading for decades. Powered by a turbocharged EMD 16-cylinder prime mover, the locomotive delivers the consistent horsepower needed to haul long commuter consists in and out of downtown Chicago, accelerating quickly between closely spaced suburban stops while maintaining tight schedules across busy corridors. Its “City of Elmhurst” designation ties the locomotive to the suburban community of Elmhurst, Illinois, reinforcing Metra's tradition of naming select units after municipalities along its routes, a practice that helps connect the railroad's equipment directly to the communities it serves. Visually, No. 163 fits right into the familiar Metra fleet aesthetic, typically wearing the agency's red, white, and blue livery that has become synonymous with commuter rail in the Chicago region, while its boxy, utilitarian profile—with a full-width carbody and rear-mounted radiator fans—signals its heritage as a passenger-adapted freight locomotive design. In daily service, Metra 163 can often be found leading push-pull commuter trains, working in tandem with gallery cars and a cab control car on the opposite end, allowing for efficient bidirectional operation without the need to turn the train. Over the years, locomotives like 163 have become icons of the Chicago-area rail scene, not just for their distinctive appearance and sound, but for their role in moving thousands of riders each day, making the “City of Elmhurst” not only a piece of rolling machinery but also a symbol of dependable regional mobility.