1979 was an interesting period in Milwaukee Road history, both in terms of commuter and freight railroading. Milwaukee was headed into bankruptcy, and by 1982 their commuter service would be taken over by RTA, then Metra. In the meantime, Milwaukee diesel power was pretty well worn and old F and Eunits needed replacing. A government trust called something like North West Suburban Trust was set up to finance 15 F40C locomotives for Milwaukee's suburban service. This spring 1979 view shows the original scheme, which by the mid 1980s would be replaced by Metra's blue. These would be the last commuter locos to carry Milwaukee's logo on their flanks. Unit 43 is pushing a rush hour train in to Union Station while 41 departs.
Not
just heritage schemes, not just commemorative schemes - this album is devoted to some of the world's most interesting paint schemes, past or present.
