Iowa Interstate SIPE, Canadian National L556 6-14-23

After working two hours overtime, I went into town hoping to catch a Iowa Interstate train SIPE. I learned this train departed Silvis shortly after noon today. I figured it would be in town around the time I left work (5:00pm). Turns out, I had plenty of time as I encountered it in downtown Peoria a little after 6:00pm. 

SIPE had 25 soybean loads blocked on the head end, followed by four potash loads. The soybeans are going to Gilman, Illinois via TP&W. The potash cars might be going to TP&W as well. Two alcohol empties and six coil steel empties sprinkle a train made up mostly of ADM distillers' mash loads (and possible corn screenings, germ, etc. mixed in). The 18 covered hoppers on the rear (after the steel coil empties) are probably from a western Iowa ethanol plant. 


CAPTION: Iowa Interstate Railroad manifest SIPE (Silvis IL to Peoria IL) is first shown early-evening Wednesday, June 14, 2023, running on the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad (TZPR) by the "old" (1900) Rock Island depot in downtown Peoria, Illinois. Then, after crossing the river, it enters Wesley East on the TZPR's double track Pekin mainline. Crew will drop its train at Hilliards and cut off the power. Finally, we return to the first scene to watch the whole train go by. IAIS 502 and IAIS 702 have 96 cars - 88 loads of soybeans, potash and distillers' mash, and eight empties.

I didn't expect to see CN's northbound local show up when it did. Normally, this train runs much later, likely due to a lot of switching at Mount Pulaski. Work enroute must have been light today, or the train left Decatur later than usual. Either way, it was a treat to see it, especially the meet with the Iowa Interstate train!


CAPTION: Canadian National Railway train L556 (Local, Decatur IL to E. Peoria IL) makes a surprise appearance, meeting the Iowa Interstate's SIPE on the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad's double track Pekin mainline at Hilliards (Creve Coeur), Illinois early evening Wednesday, June 14, 2023. Later, it is shown at Wesley East just before entering the East Peoria Yard. CN 5799 and CN 8892 have 14 cars (five loads, nine empties).

- David P. Jordan

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