Pioneer Park Rail Activity? (Updated)



Union Pacific apparently delivered six covered hoppers to Pioneer Junction sometime Thursday. I only learned of this minutes ago, so I intend to confirm this activity sometime on Saturday morning.

Since November 2016, Pioneer Industrial Railway has had a locomotive on the City of Peoria-owned track, but with no activity. The locomotive itself may be inoperable.

UPDATE: The six covered hoppers are still sitting where UP left them on Thursday. Photo taken this morning, June 9, 2018.

Five of the cars have AEX (The Andersons) markings while the other, CRDX 15679, belongs to Chicago Freight Car Leasing Company. All six covered hoppers are of the grain/grain product service type, and their appearance suggests they're nearing retirement.

Pioneer needn't move the cars to begin collecting storage car revenue, but if more show up, PREX 2032 will have to be repaired/fired up to pull them into the park and then probably shove them north toward the end of track (near Route 6). 

- David P. Jordan

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