ABOUT THIS PHOTO: Metra heritage unit 90 sits outside of Ogilvie Transportation Center
HERITAGE: Metra unit 90 is an EMD F59PHI diesel-electric locomotive, notable for its striking Chicago and North Western Railway heritage paint scheme applied in 2020
STATION HISTORY: Ogilvie Transportation Center was once the North Western station
SHOW YOUR SPIRIT: Celebrate your love of Chicagoland commuter railroads
PHOTOGRAPHER: David Kamptner
Description
Metra unit #90 is an EMD F59PHI diesel-electric locomotive that has become especially well known among railfans because it carries a striking Chicago and North Western Railway heritage paint scheme. The locomotive was repainted in 2020 to honor the legacy of the historic Chicago and North Western railroad, whose commuter operations eventually became part of today's Metra system. Metra regularly uses the locomotive on trains operating from Ogilvie Transportation Center—the downtown terminal that once served as the original North Western Station. From the platforms at Ogilvie, unit 90 can often be seen leading commuter trains on the Union Pacific North, Northwest, and West lines, its yellow-and-green C&NW colors recalling the railroad heritage that helped shape Chicago's modern commuter network.