Metra announced that it will enhance the rehabilitation of the 111th Street/Pullman Station by painting the warming house in Pullman colors to commemorate the neighborhood’s historic significance to the railroad industry.

As part of a station improvement project that began in June, Metra will paint the warming house to resemble the Gertrude Emma, a Pullman Palace Car Co. railcar that was manufactured in the South Side neighborhood for use on the Pennsylvania Ltd. between Chicago and New York in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 

Ongoing station improvements include replacement of the warming house, replacement of platform deck boards and removal of the unused portion of the platform, replacement of the stairway to the platform and repair or replacement of the roof over the stairway. In addition to painting, the project will include other cosmetic improvements.

Painting is expected to start in early September shortly before the project is finished.

The project is part of Metra’s 2016 construction program, which includes approximately $200 million in infrastructure improvements to 27 stations, 21 bridges and 24 road crossings, as well as the replacement of 120,000 rail ties to ensure safe and reliable service and maintain a state of good repair system wide.