Canadian National L556 11-18-23

Crossing renewal in downtown Pekin this week apparently caused Canadian National to suspend interchange with the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad until today. 

Normally, L556 runs out of Decatur on Monday and Thursday (sometimes not arriving East Peoria until after midnight) and L557 runs out of East Peoria on Tuesday and Thursday. L556 also makes Mount Pulaski or Pekin turns on Fridays and Saturdays. 

But today, L556 operated all the way to East Peoria, though one crew tied up short of Christmas Tree Road at South Pekin. A new crew called this afternoon had plenty of work. Darkness fell so I didn't stick around to watch the train head back south but it appears two units will be left here for an empty feed train and the other unit will handle the local business. Not sure which one will actually run tonight. 


CAPTION: Canadian National Railway local L556 (Decatur IL to E. Peoria IL) is shown approaching IC Junction at Pekin, Illinois late-afternoon Saturday, November 18, 2023. Running a rare weekend trip to East Peoria, CN 8811, IC 1036 and IC 1038 have 41 cars. The train came up from Mount Pulaski this morning with 29 cars and tied up short of Christmas Tree Road in South Pekin. A new crew boarded in early afternoon, added 14 cars from South Pekin Siding and set out two coil steel cars at Pekin before entering the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad. 

- David P. Jordan



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