KJRY EP Turn, Union Pacific Grain, BNSF M-PEIGAL 4-11-25

When I drove by the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad's East Peoria Yard, I caught a glimpse of BNSF's M-GALPEI (a day late), but figured it would turn back west later as M-PEIGAL. Then I heard the TZPR dispatcher give the Keokuk Junction Railway local permission to depart for Iowa Junction. I caught it crossing the river and again at S. Darst Street. Later, I got it south of Bartonville, after catching the UP grain extra. 

CAPTION: The Keokuk Junction Railway's East Peoria turn is shown on its return leg west mid- to late-afternoon Friday, April 11, 2025. LTEX 3010, PREX 2003 and LTEX 3836 have 25 cars. The crew skipped the usual stop at Collier Yard in Bartonville to pull TP&W and/or Union Pacific interchange.

While waiting for the KJRY local to depart, radio chatter indicated action on Union Pacific's Peoria Sub. I drove south on US 24 and noticed a southbound grain train on the High Line. A long stop light nearly prevented me from getting to Cilco Lane in time to capture video from my car. A had a split second to spare...

CAPTION: A Union Pacific southbound grain extra rolls by Cilco Lane at Sommer (Bartonville), Illinois late-afternoon Friday, April 11, 2025. UP 8238 and UP 5875 have 111 cars.

After leaving the downtown library, I checked for BNSF's M-PEIGAL, and realized that it had already crossed the river. So I backtracked and made it to W. Farmington Road in time. 

CAPTION: BNSF Railway train M-PEIGAL rolls by W. Farmington Road early evening Friday, April 11, 2025. BNSF 4082 and BNSF 6313 have 60 cars. The two BNSF steel hoppers contain new business - iron oxide from TP&W-served Waelz Sustainable Products' Clymers, Indiana plant. 

- David P. Jordan