Metra wraps up Pullman Station rehab project

Metra has completed the rehabiltation of the 111th Street/Pullman Station, the Chicago-area commuter railroad announced yesterday.

The $250,000 project included replacing the warming house and repainting it in the colors of a classic Pullman rail car, according to a Metra press release.

In addition, crews replaced the platform deck boards, removed an unused portion of the platform, replaced the stairway to the platform, and installed new LED lights, heaters and an electronic device charging station.

The Pullman car that the station is modeled after was built on Chicago's south side in 1898 for use on the Pennsylvania Limited between Chicago and New York. That car was first known as "Libertas," but was later renamed to "Gertrude Emma" after the wife of a founder of the Conway Scenic Railroad in New Hampshire, which acquired and restored the car in 1975.

"We like to say our stations are the gateways to the communities we serve, and we’re excited to have enhanced this gateway to the Pullman National Monument," said Metra Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer Don Orseno. "We hope it will help encourage tourism to this unique and historic site."

In August, Metra announced plans to repaint and rehabilitate the 111th Street Station.