Metra honored retiring CEO/Executive Director Don Orseno by placing his name on a locomotive that had been repainted in the red and yellow colors of the Rock Island Railroad.
“Before he heads off into the next chapter, we wanted to be able to show Don what he’s meant to Metra and the railroad industry,” said incoming CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski. “There was no better way to honor a man who has devoted so much of his life to the railroad.”
Orseno, who retires at the end of the month after 44 years in railroading, began his career on the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad. Today, a remnant of that railroad operates as Metra’s Rock Island Line to Joliet.
MP36PH Locomotive No. 425 had recently undergone a rehabilitation by Metra forces at its 47th Street Shop in Chicago. The locomotive was already scheduled for repainting when the plan was made to honor Orseno. The red and yellow color scheme was designed by Philip Weibler and placed in service on the Rock Island in 1969. Metra also consulted Electro Motive Division, now Progress Rail, which manufactured the original locomotives featuring this color scheme, on the exact color specifications.
