Peoria Station

Happenings were frequent in 1987, so I'm sticking with analysis-by-year for now. Those late-1986 mergers brought less competition and higher fares into 1987. As a consequence, scheduled flights and passenger traffic decreased. These were good times, however. Let's begin with a rundown of happenings by airline. AMERICAN EAGLE (Simmons Airlines) When 1987 began, this carrier offered six weekday roundtrips between Peoria and Chicago-O'Hare (ORD) and four Peoria-Springfield (SPI) tag-ons. The latter gained a fifth roundtrip on February 2. On March 1, American Eagle eliminated an O'Hare roundtrip, and reduced Springfield tag-ons to four until April 5. Scheduling five ORD-PIA-SPI roundtrips continued to be the norm through November. Until October 1, American Eagle operated a 46-seat ATR-42 on a mid-afternoon turnaround from Chicago-O'Hare. Then on November 1, it resumed use of the French-built turboprop on late-morning turnaround from Chicago-O'Hare. All other

Peoria's twice-daily Charlotte nonstops are getting bigger planes next year. Thanks to a tip from a commenter, I searched American Airlines' website and found that both roundtrips are being upgauge from 50-seat CRJ200s to 63- to 65-seat CRJ700s beginning February 14, 2019.  It is possible that the additional capacity was already planned as smaller regional jets are phased out, but competition might be another reason. Delta Air Lines schedules show 76-seat CRJ900s operating some Peoria-Atlanta roundtrips in November. I expect bigger jets on that route to compensate for the loss of Detroit flights late that month.  Whether due to competitive pressures or a scheduled phase-out of the older, smaller jets, any upgauge is good news for Peoria travelers.  PHOTO COPYRIGHT 2017 by David P. Jordan  - An American Eagle CRJ700 is shown July 29, 2017 on final approach to Chicago-O'Hare International Airport.   - David P. Jordan

Until this morning, work and weather had prevented me from capturing a Frontier Airlines jet at Bloomington-Normal's Central Illinois Regional Airport (CIRA),  The Denver, Colorado-based airline recently resumed service there with nonstops to Denver and Orlando, September 24 and October 2, respectively. Flights operate between Denver and Orlando, stopping at CIRA in each direction Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Sunday morning's flight operated with a 138-seat Airbus A-319. On the tail was "Flip the Bottlenose Dolphin." I caught its arrival from Denver on Runway 11 and departure to Orlando on Runway 20. - David P. Jordan

I caught this BNSF Railway track geometry train leaving Peoria late Tuesday morning. Scenes are at Bridge Junction on the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad (where the train "turned" after arriving town), W. Clarke Street, off Kickapoo Creek Road and Pottstown.  Track geometry trains measure a track's crosslevel (height of rails relative to the other), track gauge (checks for deviation from standard 4-foot 8 and 1/-inches between rails), line (how straight or curvature it should be vs. how it is) and surface (vertical variation relative to both rails).  - David P. Jordan

Time for more Transportation Q & A! Feel free to post your questions in the comments section on any transportation topic. If I don't have an answer, I'll find one. I'm working on the "PIA - A History: Events of 1987" post. Expect it in the near future.  - David P. Jordan