Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 25, 2007
DESIGN FOR NORTHSTAR LOCOMOTIVE UNVEILED
Metro Transit calls design ‘distinctive’
MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – (Oct. 25) – Metro Transit last night unveiled the graphic design to be used on locomotives for Minnesota’s first commuter train, the Northstar commuter rail line.
The locomotive design was revealed at a meeting of the Metropolitan Council. It features interlocking arcs of color (red, yellow and white) on a blue background, leading to a bold yellow star.
"The design gives the train a distinctive look that will be easily recognizable as it travels along Highway 10, and is viewed by thousands stuck in traffic as the trains speed past,” said Metro Transit General Manager Brian Lamb. “The use of color is reminiscent of Hiawatha light-rail trains while keeping the ‘north star’ icon that has been associated with the project during its 10 years of development.” View the design HERE. High-res: 605K file
The 40-mile Northstar Line will travel between Big Lake and downtown Minneapolis. Service will consist of five weekday round trips, along with a weekday reverse-commute trip and weekend service. Trains will make the quick trip at speeds of up to 80 mph, with a direct connection to Hiawatha light-rail trains in downtown. Total project cost is estimated at $320 million.
The unveiling follows other recent milestones for the project:
• Congress last week began a final 60-day review of the application for $156.8 million in federal funds. Earlier the application was approved by both the Office of Management and Budget and the U.S. Department of Transportation. That puts the project on track for securing final approval in December.
• The manufacturer of the train’s passenger cars will be determined in early December and a contract awarded once the federal funding agreement is executed. The first order calls for 17 cars, which are expected to be delivered in 2009. The graphics for passenger cars will subtly mirror the locomotive design.
• Four remanufactured MP-36 (Motive Power, Inc.) locomotives have been purchased and are scheduled to be delivered to the Twin Cities in fall 2008.
The Northstar project is a cooperative effort between the Northstar Corridor Development Authority, Metropolitan Council, Metro Transit, Minnesota Department of Transportation with the support of Governor Pawlenty and Minnesota’s congressional delegation.
Metro Transit is a service of the Metropolitan Council. Bus and train ridership through September was 57.2 million, 4.7 percent higher than the same period last year.
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(Editors: Northstar project contact is Mark Fuhrmann, project director, 651-602-1942. Metro Transit contact is Julie Johanson, assistant general manager-administration, 612-349-7514)
