Greetings,

It's official! Metro Transit has unveiled what Northstar Commuter Rail locomotives will look like when they begin rolling along the rails in late 2009.

The graphic design features interlocking arcs of red, yellow and white on a blue background, leading to a bold yellow star - a familiar part of the Northstar project throughout its development. The colors used are similar to those found on Hiawatha Light Rail transit trains, branding Northstar as part of a larger and comprehensive transportation system.

View the design HERE.

The project has also enjoyed some other successes:

• Congress recently began a final 60-day review of the application for $156.8 million in federal  matching funds for construction of the project. This puts the project on track for securing final federal approval in December.
  
• Once federal funding is secure, we'll choose the manufacturer of Northstar's passenger cars and place the first order of 17 cars.
  
• Four remanufactured MP-36 (Motive Power, Inc.) locomotives have already been purchased and are scheduled to arrive in the Twin Cities in fall 2008.

We are making great progress on putting Minnesota's first commuter rail line in motion by the end of 2009. Thanks, as always, for your continued support!

Sincerely,

Dan Erhart
NCDA Chair