Union Pacific Autorack Empties 12-30-23

An unusual movement and a desirable one to capture!

Union Pacific ran an empty autorack train out of Oklahoma (probably Oklahoma City, based on the "OK" symbol) a few days ago destined for temporary storage on Edelstein Siding. The train came up via St. Louis, and probably via Kansas City as well. Union Pacific accesses Oklahoma's capital from the west from Rock Island's old Mid-Continent Route at El Reno, or haulage/trackage rights on BNSF's ex-Santa Fe, both of which are north-south routes. 

I assume the reason for this is that auto assembly plants are shut down this week, and empty autoracks need a place to go until the reopen after the Christmas-New Year's break. 

I received a heads up this morning, and planned accordingly. I normally spend time at the downtown Peoria library so I was close anyway. I waited at W. Farmington Road and then headed north to capture it entering Edelstein Siding. 

Reportedly, UP 7312 returned to South Pekin engine lite, passing a northbound grain empty on the double track.


CAPTION: Union Pacific train AOKEDR (Autos, Oklahoma City OK to Edelstein IL, Reposition) rolls by W. Farmington Road near Peoria, Illinois mid-afternoon Saturday, December 30, 2023. Later, the train enters Edelstein Siding where it will be stored. UP 7312 has 82 empty autoracks. 

David P. Jordan

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