TP&W M-EFEP, Keokuk Junction Railway Local 4-4-24

A rainy first half of the week, and late-departure of Union Pacific's MPECL starved me of train videos until today.

After work, I intended to visit the downtown library, but first checked activity at the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad's East Peoria Yard. I'm glad I did because the Keokuk Junction Railway's East Peoria turn had just pulled through the yard and stopped under the Cedar Street Extension.

Wednesday's eastbound from western Illinois (La Harpe, or wherever the cfrew tied up last) included the road's newest unit, LTEX 3836. It was trailing on the East Peoria run, so it would lead on the westbound leg. But first, I received word that a westbound TP&W road freight was nearing Washington. So I quickly drove to Ernest Street and waited. Sure enough, the train showed up about five minutes later.



CAPTION: Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway train M-EFEP (Manifest, Effner IL to E. Peoria IL) rolls by Ernest Street in Washington, Illinois late-afternoon Thursday, April 4, 2024. HESR 3485, IORY 5007 and TPW 2105 have 41 cars. 

I returned to East Peoria in time for the KJRY's departure, and managed to capture it at several locations westward along the Tazewell & Peoria RR, Union Pacific's TP&W-controlled ex-Peoria Terminal Co. line and on home rails. After nightfall, I managed to catch it in Canton.

Last Wednesday's turn went through Canton as well, so I wondered if it would do the same this week. Sure enough, it did. The train stopped to switch Hitchcock Scrap Yard, though I wasn't in position to confirm what was left or pulled there. 


CAPTION: The Keokuk Junction Railway's Mapleton-E. Peoria turn is shown on its westbound leg at several locations late-afternoon Thursday, April 4, 2024. Scenes are at the Illinois River Bridge and S. Darst Street in Peoria on the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad, South Bartonville on Union Pacific's ex-Peoria Terminal Co., TP&W-controlled line, and at Hollis shortly after entering home rails. Later, the train crosses Rt. 78 in Canton after dark, stopping to switch Hitchcock Scrap Yard. LTEX 3836, PREX 2003, PREX 2047, LTEX 3010 and LTEX 6437 left East Peoria with 30 cars, and added 13 from the Union Pacific interchange at Collier Yard in Bartonville. (NOTE: LTEX 3836 is the newest unit on the property.) 

- David P. Jordan

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