TP&W EPX1 handles NS Grain MTs 10-1-25

When I exited I-74 in East Peoria mid-afternoon, I was already hearing radio chatter on the Norfolk Southern frequency. I wasn't sure if D49 had just departed and was moving on home rails or...

 

Turns out, Norfolk Southern had brought three motors and 85 grain empties to the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad's *Nickel Plate Subdivision for interchange to the Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway. The TP&W crew boarded, turned the power, ran through the East Peoria Yard and coupled to the other end. Minutes later, with dispatcher's permission, the train left for Prairie Central Cooperative's Greenfield (Chenoa) rail loop. 

*Probably still legally owned by Norfolk Southern but controlled by the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad. 

 

I believe this is the first time since early-June 2018 that TP&W has interchanged a grain train with Norfolk Southern at East Peoria. I did not see that last one, but caught one both ways on August 26-27, 2017. 

CAPTION: A Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway crew, EPX1 (E. Peoria IL Extra 1) forwards Norfolk Southern 41K (grain empties) from East Peoria, Illinois toward Prairie Central Cooperative's Greenfield (Chenoa) rail loop late-afternoon/early-evening Wednesday, October 1, 2025. Scenes include lite power moving along the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad's Nickel Plate Subdivision to couple to the train left by NS, the whole train moving across N. Main Street onto the TP&W Peoria Sub, Farmdale Trestle, the bridge spanning Peoria Street in Washington and another finally, the whole train is seen rolling by Grainland Farmers' Cruger terminal. NS 9871, NS 1154 and NS 4870 have 85 cars.

 

- David P. Jordan