Two TP&W Westbounds at El Paso!


Despite the soggy and cold weather Saturday, I got out to see not one but two TP&W trains! 


First, TPW 3442 led 71 empty flat cars through El Paso, Illinois at 5:40pm. The train departed Prairie Central Cooperative's new (2018) Greenfield rail loop west of Chenoa. Cars had arrived with wind turbine tower loads and the empties were being sent to Houston, Texas via Peoria and BNSF Railway. 


The second train was a manifest. TPW 2070, TPW 3440 and TPW 3046 had 169 cars. The 90 CSX covered hoppers on the rear were dropped at Grainland Cooperative's Cruger elevator. 




The TP&W has seen a surge in traffic in the past year or so, thanks to expanded grain-loading facilities, wind turbine components and lease and operation of the Winamac Southern Railway. Longer and more frequent trains have become the norm. Industrial development in the Hoosierlift and Logansport areas of Indiana are expected to increase traffic in the near future. 

- David P. Jordan

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