The Hero We Need. For the first time in sixteen years, on Saturday, October 5, 2024, MTA Metro-North Railroad allowed the public to visit its Croton facility for an "Open House". Since then, the old buildings have been replaced by modern structures. On display inside were examples of just about every kind of locomotive and car in the fleet, as well as staffed tables representing different departments of MNR and other companies that work with MNR. And of course, not to save the headline for last, but the original "Metro Man" was located and rehabilitated for the occasion. Constructed around the time that Metro-North Commuter Railroad was created, he was the mascot of the new organization, and was brought to events and schools in the region. At some point he was retired and stored, but attempts at introducing more modern version have been met wit ha lukewarm response. The original was located for this event and the MNR Maintenance of Equipment team took great care for to restore him to "operable condition".
