Union Pacific, TP&W and Keokuk Junction on the Ides of March 2022

The Ides of March proved a good one as far as the local railscene.

Due to its predictability, I usually catch Union Pacific train MPECL (Manifest, Peoria IL to Clinton IA) on regular run Tuesdays and Fridays. Video shows it rolling by Milepost 80 shortly after departing Adams Street Yard. UP 7625 has 31 cars. It appears that more "normal" consists have returned. At least they won't stall on Pioneer Hill...




I knew TP&W's Kolbe Local had already made a run to Collier Yard at Bartonville to swap interchange with KJRY and Union Pacific and an East Peoria-Collier Turn. I found TPW 2105 at Collier making up a train for the return run back to Mapleton. I captured it leaving with 29 cars. A second scene is just south of Bartonville. 



Before the TP&W could depart, the Keokuk Junction Railway's East Peoria-bound local moves had to clear. When I caught it at the Illinois Street crossing on Bartonville's south edge, CEFX 2014 and CEFX 2022 havd 27 cars. After setting out eight cars at Collier Yard for TP&W and Union Pacific, I again captured it rolling along the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad in Peoria. Notably, three empty gondolas (two with CSX markings) were left at Collier, likely for the TP&W. Westbound scrap metal loads were probably going to Amsted Industries/Griffin Wheel Corp. at Keokuk. 


- David P. Jordan

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