Peoria Station

I didn't stick around to see it depart (which it probably hasn't as of this post), but I did get the inbound. Interestingly, the first nine cars - all covered hoppers - appeared loaded. Kind of unusual.  Perhaps these came from a point off the Bloomington District? I would be surprised if Bloomer Line-served One Earth Energy LLC or DuPont soybean processing plants at Gibson City would send DDGS or soybean meal, respectively, to Peoria-Pekin barge loadouts or interchanges.  The gondola has what appear to be engine blocks for scrapping (at KJRY-served Hitchcock Scrap Yard in Canton). CAPTION: Norfolk Southern Railway Train D49 is shown at W. Washington Street in East Peoria, Illinois well after dark Monday, April 15, 2024. After hitting a truck at a private crossing by the TP&W's Farmdale Trestle, the regular crew tied up and repairs were made to the lead unit. Later, a relief crew drove up to interchange with the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad. NS 7000 and NS 7014 have

This afternoon's MPECL waited for passage of a southbound grain extra from Sterling, so I managed to catch two trains on Friday.  CAPTION: A Union Pacific grain extra rolls by W. Farmington Road late afternoon Friday, April 12, 2024. UP 5446 and UP 2762 have 112 cars. UP 7809 is DPU. Train was loaded at Rock River Lumber & Grain Co.   Train MPECL appeared just fifteen minutes after the grain extra passed W. Farmington Road so it was likely already waiting at Peoria Junction.  CAPTION: Union Pacific train MPECL (Manifest, Peoria IL to Clinton IA) rolls by W. Farmington Road near Peoria, Illinois late-afternoon Friday, April 12, 2024. UP 8950 and UP 7099 have 36 cars.   - David P. Jordan

Despite the pouring rain, I decided it might be worth lingering in East Peoria this afternoon for a TZPR 1521 pulling a transfer to the TP&W. It took long enough to appear. Had it appeared moments after I arrived my spot just up from W. Washington Street, the rain would have held off just long enough... I didn't stick around to see if TZPR 1521 returned with any cars, but I don't think it did.  CAPTION: A Tazewell & Peoria Railroad Lead Job pulls across W. Washington Street in East Peoria late-afternoon Thursday, April 11, 2024. TZPR 1521 has 42 cars bound for the nearby TP&W yard.   Later, I learned that BNSF Railway's M-GALPEI had passed Elmwood. I was actually eastbound on I-74 just past Carlock enroute to Bloomington's Public Library. I decided to turn around and head back west in hopes of beating the train to W. Farmington Road. I had 15 minutes to spare! Was it worth it...you decide. I stayed around to get some night video at Sanger Street.  Radio cha

I left the library this evening know that Iowa Interstate train SIPE had departed Silvis a little after 1330 this afternoon. I figured I could stay until closing and then drive north on Rt. 29. Sure enough, I found the train rolling south of Chillicothe. A shot video at two locations and then heading through town to intercept a Keokuk Junction Railway local I learned had just departed East Peoria when I head north... CAPTION: Iowa Interstate manifest SIPE (Silvis IL to Peoria IL) rolls through Mossville, Illinois early evening Wednesday, April 10, 2024. Later, it is shown at the old San Koty station area as it nears Peoria. IAIS 503 and IAIS 718 have 34 cars (21 loads, 13 empties).   I caught up to the Keokuk Junction Railway local as it crossed CILCO Lane near Sommer. I figured I had time to make a left from US 24 onto Rt. 29, turned around and then park off road on northbound US 24. I didn't have to wait but a few minutes before the train was in view. The second unit, an ex-CN G

It was a short one today, and didn't depart until almost 1630 hours.  CAPTION: Union Pacific train MPECL (Manifest, Peoria IL to Clinton IA) rolls by Milepost 80 shortly after entering the Peoria Subdivision mainline late-afternoon Tuesday, April 9, 2024. Later, it enters the double track at Pottstown. UP 7099 and UP 8950 have 23 cars.   - David P. Jordan

I learned that a southbound Iowa Interstate freight had passed Sparland around 10:39 this morning, so after leaving church, I drove directly downtown, figuring I could beat it there.  As it wasn't anywhere in sight, I headed to the Limit Yard where I found it stopped so the conductor could line switches for continued movement along the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad's Uptown Division.  Rain showers dictated that I used the Murray Baker Bridge for cover.  I think it worked out pretty well.  CAPTION: Iowa Interstate Railroad manifest SIPE (Silvis IL to Peoria IL) rolls along the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad's "Uptown Division" under Interstate 74/Murray Baker Bridge in downtown Peoria, Illinois on a rainy early-Sunday afternoon, April 7, 2024. IAIS 719 and IAIS 716 have 31 cars.   I went home, at lunch and uploaded the video, planning to return to East Peoria in time to capture Iowa Interstate's PESI departing.  I never saw it. I believe it already left by th