Union Pacific MPECL 1-7-22


Compared to the ten-car train from Tuesday this week, I had hoped today's Union Pacific train MPECL (Manifest, Peoria IL to Clinton IA) would have more "normal" consist/traffic levels, and I wasn't disappointed. Despite the freezing weather and the train's later departure (1633 hours vs. the usual 1600 hours), it was worth going out to see.

With overcast and rapidly fading light, I decided it best to capture a roll by at the old Molitor Junction area. Per radio chatter, the crew was to check on a red signal at Pottstown where a signal man had been called. My last glimpse of the train indicated that it had stopped short of the double track there.

UP 5394 has 29 cars, including seven boxcars. These were among a dozen cars from the Keokuk Junction Railway. All the boxcars are likely loaded with locomotive wheels. 

Tank cars CIMX 2062 and CIMX 2115 are in the consist, probably corn syrup empties from PMP Fermentation Products. These belong to Chimico Rail Logistics LLC, but I like the "CIM" part, reminding me of the old Chicago & Illinois Midland Railway. 

- David P. Jordan

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