Peoria Station

Before I left the downtown library late this afternoon, I found out that Iowa Interstate's PESI had been seen at Chillicothe around 1730 hours. I decided to head north, and caught up with it north of Sparland. Short train.  CAPTION: Iowa Interstate Railroad Ltd. manifest PESI (Peoria IL to Silvis IL) rolls through Henry, Illinois early evening Wednesday, August 28, 2024. IAIS 512 and IAIS 716 have 36 cars.     Two other other items of interest at Henry:    (1) The siding on the south end is filled with loaded plastic pellet cars. (2) MexiChem Specialty Resins has been re-branded "Orbia Polymer Solutions." Orbia is MexiChem's parent.    - David P. Jordan

I had a meeting after work this afternoon, but as it did not last too long, I headed to W. Farmington Road, noted the green signal indication for a northbound, turned around and parked. Mere moments later, Union Pacific's MPECL activated the gates and I got my video! CAPTION: Union Pacific train MPECL (Manifest, Peoria IL to Clinton IA) rolls by W. Farmington Road shortly after departing Peoria, Illinois mid-afternoon Tuesday, August 27, 2024. UP 8841 has 31 cars.   - David P. Jordan

I did not have to wait for very long this afternoon for my most frequent encounter. Short train today, but that is okay.  CAPTION: Union Pacific train MPECL (Manifest, Peoria IL to Clinton IA) rolls by W. Farmington Road shortly after departing Adams Street Yard in Peoria, Illinois late-afternoon Friday, August 23, 2024. UP 8841 has 28 cars. UPDATE: While at the downtown library this afternoon, I learned that an eastbound TP&W road freight was approaching Washington. Given the speed restriction to Cruger, I figured I could get ahead of it, which I did.  CAPTION: Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway train M-EPEF (Manifest, E. Peoria IL to Effner IL) rolls by Cruger, Illinois early-evening Friday, August 23, 2024. HESR 3485, IORY 5013, TPW 5010 and TPW 3440 have 44 cars. - David P. Jordan

Around noon, I learned that a westbound TP&W road freight was seen just east of Chenoa. I knew that unless it switched an industry or two enroute, I was not going to see it after work.  I was going into town anyway, so I drove Rt. 150 and noticed the train stopped on the opposite end of the TP&W's East Peoria Yard.   I found the crew ready to shove eight limestone loads into East Peoria Materials/The Rogers Group. So I hoped to catch it pulling the other 66 cars into the yard. Sure enough, they did. The lighting was not good, but I had not seen this train since April 4, so I am not complaining.  CAPTION: Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway train M-EFEP (Manifest, Effner IL to E. Peoria IL) drops eight limestone loads at East Peoria Materials/The Rogers Group and then leaves engine lite at East Peoria, Illinois late-afternoon Wednesday, August 21, 2024. Shortly, IORY 5014, TPW 5008, CFE 3316, TPW 5015 and TPW 2105 pull the remaining 66 cars into the yard. ...

Union Pacific's MPECL left early this afternoon, and I could not find or catch it. I did, however, see Iowa Interstate's SIPE arrive Peoria later, shooting the scene below at the North Limit Yard, a joint facility with the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad.  CAPTION: Iowa Interstate manifest SIPE (Silvis IL to Peoria IL) rolls into the North Limit Yard in Peoria, Illinois late-afternoon Tuesday, August 20, 2024. IAIS 514 and IAIS 718 have 97 cars (11 potash, 83 grain mash, three alcohol empties). - David P. Jordan

Sunday can be a good day for local railfanning, especially for variety. I managed to capture four local movements, one of which I had never seen before!   I went to check the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad's East Peoria Yard after learning that the Iowa Interstate brought in an SIPE train and a new crew would take PESI north shortly. Turns out I had time to capture a Tazewell & Peoria Railroad "Powerton Turn" (not sure if a regular job or extra) depart through Wesley as PESI was moving. Note the northbound leg of the Powerton Turn was actually the last movement of the day for me.) CAPTION: The Tazewell & Peoria Railroad's Powerton Turn (handled by a regular crew or extra job) departs the East Peoria Yard midday Sunday, August 18, 2024 with interchange business for the Illinois & Midland Railroad at Powerton Yard near Pekin. TPW 3443 and IORY 5014 have 78 cars. By mid-afternoon, the turn is shown on the Illinois & Midland RR mainline at Pekin on its re...

This morning, not long after I woke up, I received a heads up that BNSF's M-GALPEI was getting close to Peoria.  The regular train ran (along with M-PEIGAL) on Thursday afternoon/evening, so this would be a THIRD cycle for the week.  This seems to have become a regular occurrence on Saturdays, though I'm unsure if it is due to seasonal volume (TP&W-bound nitrogen fertilizer solution traffic is in its heavy season again) or if BNSF has decided to make three weekly cycles year-round. I assume the former, but wish for the latter... CAPTION: BNSF Railway train M-GALPEI (Manifest, Galesburg IL to Peoria IL) rolls through Pottstown, Illinois late-morning Saturday, August 17, 2024. Later, the train approaches yard limits at Peoria, and then enters the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad for the trip across the river to the East Peoria Yard. BNSF 6503 and BNSF 8372 have 40 cars. The regular M-GALPEI/M-PEIGAL flip ran Thursday, so this one is a third cycle for the week!   I re...

When I drove by Adams Street Yard Friday afternoon, I noticed Union Pacific's MPECL was strung out onto the Low Line, with the tail end by Adams Street Yard, and the Keokuk Junction Railway local was stopped short of Darst Street, having the conductor line the switch after a loaded TP&W-BNSF grain train had cleared Tazewell & Peoria Railroad's Southern Division.   Fortunately, the Keokuk Junction train was ready to roll when I parked off Krause Avenue, and I shot video there. Reportedly, this was the second "East Peoria turn" of the week (the first was probably Wednesday).  CAPTION: The Keokuk Junction Railway's East Peoria Turn rolls by Krause Avenue in Peoria, Illinois mid-afternoon Friday, August 16, 2024 on what was an unusual second run for the week to the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad. LTEX 6437, PREX 2018 and LTEX 3010 have 25 cars.   After the Keokuk Junction train cleared, I went to W. Farmington Road and waited, hearing MPECL receive trac...

Shortly after I drove by Adams Street Yard, I picked up quite a bit of radio chatter on the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad's yard channel (160.500), indicating Norfolk Southern D49 and Canadian National's L557 might have been in the East Peoria Yard. I crossed the river and heard a TP&W-BNSF grain train get permission from Farmdale to P&PU Junction, by W. Washington Street, the Nickel Plate and across the river. I saw nothing while there, though I believe the NS local had just cleared Farmdale when the grain train received instructions.    BNSF's M-PEIGAL actually crossed the river ahead of the grain train, but I did not shoot any video, as did not realize what it was in time. Too bad bcause CN 3061 and CN 3334 are on the point! I stuck around to catch a Tazewell & Peoria RR local. CAPTION: A Tazewell & Peoria Railroad local, probably Industry 3, rolls by Krause Ave enroute from Kickapoo Yard to East Peoria late-afternoon Tuesday, August 13, 2024. TZPR 1352...

What I could not get Friday, I got today.   Norfok Southern train D49 arrived East Peoria early this afternoon with NS 7014 and NS 6963, the "GoRail" unit, giving me a chance to see its departure after work. Adding to the delay, the NS crew pulled NS 3033 from the Creve Coeur Team Track and turned the consist before building the outbound from two A Yard short tracks.    And typical for a Monday, the second car was a Caterpillar tractor load (a D11)! CAPTION: Norfolk Southern Railway train D49 (Normal IL to E. Peoria IL turn) departs the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad's East Peoria Yard in East Peoria, Illinois late-afternoon Monday, August 12, 2024. NS 6963 ("GoRail") and NS 7014 have NS 3033 (from Des Moines via the Iowa Interstate) and 38 cars. Later, at N. Main Street outside of Morton, the train attacks the hill toward Crandall Junction.   - David P. Jordan

After church, I went trackside to BNSF Railway's Chillicothe Subdivision, and found some action almost immediately. CAPTION: Action at N. Rice Road (just east of Princeville, Illinois) early afternoon Sunday, August 11, 2024. A eastbound BNSF intermodal, westbound manifest (probably H-IHBGAL) and an eastbound autorack train passed my location in a 20-minute period (1235 to 1255 hours). I left just in time to miss another eastbound BNSF intermodal and Union Pacific Z-G4CI, which met at Edelstein! Mid-afternoon Saturday, I noticed while driving eastbound Interstate 74 through East Peoria that a locomotive and tank car were parked at the west end of the TP&W yard. So I knew a train was coming to Morton soon.   Turns out, it was just afternoon noon on Sunday.   I wasn't home until after 2:00pm, when the train was already in town. And as usual, I didn't hear the horn until it was leaving (probably Jackson Street, as I found it coupling to the empty tank car already pull...

These trains appeared at W. Farmington Road about two minutes apart.    I usually head directly to Adams Street Yard after work on Tuesdays and Fridays hoping to catch Union Pacific's MPECL leaving town. But on Friday, I decided to head through East Peoria for the possibility of a decent-sized outbound Norfolk Southern D49. Reportedly, it arrived early that afternoon with four units. I found out that those units returned to Good Yard engine lite, however.    My detour was neither a risk nor a waste of time. I heard the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad St. Albans dispatcher give BNSF's M-PEIGAL permission to depart the West Lead in East Peoria to Darst Street with a big train (83 cars, 22 loads/61 empties). When I drove along SW Adams Street, the Union Pacific train was gone. But the tail end was visible to the west!   The first train to cross W. Farmington Road was BNSF's M-PEIGAL. It was heavy with empty nitrogen fertilizer solution tank cars from TP&W ...

The second-best ever for June. WCBU ran this article August 2. Peoria Int'l Airport's passenger numbers for June 2024 (65,488) are up 11 percent from June 2023 (59,071). No wonder American Eagle and United Express have been restoring frequencies... Gene Olson, the Airport's director, indicates that Small Community Air Service Development (SCASD) funds received last year may be used for service to Denver (United) or Phoenix (American) when aircraft become available. I'm betting on the former. - David P. Jordan 

I knew it was coming so I left the downtown library early. Turns out, I could have stayed until closure.    I found the train just before it reached Mossville, but it paused in town for a crew change. At least I got it...   The train left Silvis with a second unit - 715 - but probably set it out at Bureau Junction.  CAPTION: Iowa Interstate Railroad manifest SIPE (Silvis IL to Peoria IL) rolls out of Mossville after a crew change early evening Thursday, August 8, 2024. Later, it moves through San Koty. IAIS 511 has 29 cars.   David P. Jordan

Had I checked the Peoria, Illinois Railroads, Trains & Shortlines Facebook Group as soon as I arrived home, I would have caught Norfolk Southern train D49 heading back to Good Yard with HRZX 5003 behind the power. I did not, so I settled for a short Tazewell & Peoria Railroad local running from Kickapoo Yard to East Peoria.  CAPTION: A Tazewell & Peoria Railroad local, probably Industry 3, rolls toward the Illinois River Bridge at Sanger Street late-afternoon Wednesday, August 7, 2024. IMRR 43 has just three empty gondolas.   David P. Jordan

This afternoon, I caught Norfolk Southern's D49 job leaving East Peoria. Radio chatter indicated four loads and 24 empties. The Caterpillar D10 tractor load is second car behind the power.  CAPTION: Norfolk Southern Railway train D49 (Normal IL to E. Peoria IL turn) is shown departing East Peoria, Illinois late-afternoon Monday, August 5, 2024 on its return leg to Good Yard in Normal. NS 6968 and NS 6923 have 28 cars.   On my way home from the downtown library, I came across a TP&W East Peoria Switcher crew making up a train for BioUrja Renewables LLC in Peoria. The 15 loads of corn were dropped at the South Yard via Bridge Junction. I did not stick around to see if the 3440 returned engine lite or had empties.  CAPTION: A Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway East Peoria Switcher, probably EP3, pulls along the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad in East Peoria, Illinois and pauses at West Washington Street due to signal problems early evening Monday, August 5, 202...

I happened upon this early Sunday afternoon. I didn't stick around for its departure once it had a BNSF crew, as I had other things to do.   Reportedly, this train was the last unit train of corn Grainland Coop's Cruger elevator will load for Mexico. If so, symbol is probably G-PEIELP (Grain, Peoria IL to El Paso TX).  CAPTION: A Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway crew runs a loaded BNSF grain train along the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad at East Peoria and the Illinois River Bridge at Peoria early afternoon Sunday, August 4, 2024. BNSF 4194, BNSF 4763 and BNSF 4361 were on the point. I wasn't able to get the whole train.   - David P. Jordan

Another productive Friday!   Union Pacific's MPECL is a priority after work on Friday, so I was taking a risk going after Norfolk Southern's D49. I knew that train arrived East Peoria around 1:30pm, so there was a good chance to catch the return trip after work. Sure enough, I learned the train had clearance to leave the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad's East Peoria Yard shortly before 3:00pm. I grabbed what I needed at home and headed east on I-74. I knew I would be successful because I happened to see the train in the distance at Crandall Junction. I got off at the next exit (Goodfield) and waited. The train showed up in a short time.  CAPTION: Norfolk Southern Railway Train D49 (Normal IL to E. Peoria IL turn) rolls through Goodfield, Illinois on its return leg to Good Yard in Normal mid-afternoon Friday, August 2, 2024. NS 7025 and NS 7034 have 35 cars, most from the Keokuk Junction Railway's Thursday afternoon delivery.   I didn't know if I had missed Unio...

I learned that BNSF's M-GALPEI was enroute this afternoon, so I left home. When I exited I-474 onto SW Adams Street, I noticed the Keokuk Junction Railway's East Peoria Turn waiting at Iowa Junction for instructions from the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad dispatcher. The BNSF train could wait, and I'd likely see it enter TZPR shortly anyway.  CAPTION: The Keokuk Junction Railway's East Peoria Turn rolls along the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad mid-afternoon Thursday, August 1, 2024. LTEX 6437, LTEX 3837 and LTEX 3836 have 42 cars for East Peoria.   Soon after the KJRY train was by my position at Krause Avenue, I headed for W. Farmington Road and waited. Off and on, I heard some chatter on BNSF's Peoria Sub radio frequency (161.385), but could not tell what was going on. It turns out, M-GALPEI got by me before I began to parallel the line along Kickapoo Creek Road. I turned back and found it stuffed into the New Long as a westbound grain train left the area. I d...

Then Greater Peoria Regional Airport's control tower on May 11, 2002 The Peoria International Airport's 65-year-old control tower is finally being replaced .  The Metropolitan Airport Authority of Peoria met Wednesday to discuss bidding for the planned replacement. An earlier bid exceeded funds available for the project so last night's meeting to modify construction bids into two phases. Construction of the new control tower was enabled by a $14 million grant received in 2023. - David P. Jordan