Peoria Station

Norfolk Southern's D49 was reported westbound at Deer Creek around 1300 hours Wednesday, so I knew there was a chance to see it in the other direction after work.   I first went to check the TZPR diesel shop area where IAIS 151 was on the Creve Coeur Team Track and a PESI-like train was positioned on the West Lead (I later learned that the actual PESI had departure a short time prior to my arrival; 151 took a potash train from Wesley later in the afternoon).   I then backtracked to the Cedar Street Extension and found the NS local in the A Yard short tracks. With no radio chatter indicating that its departure was imminent, I crossed the river.    I found BNSF's M-GALPEI waiting at Darst Street for intructions from the TZPR dispatcher. Shortly, I heard the NS local get permission to depart. As I prepared to leave my spot and cross the river, the BNSF crew asked the TZPR for permission to enter the property. Fortunately, the dispatcher told them to wait, giving me time to go

Although Union Pacific's MPECL has been getting called earlier on its usual Tuesday and Friday runs, I still head that way after work to check in case of a delay. Driving I-474 westbound this afternoon, I happened to glace north toward Hilliards and noticed Canadian National's L557 local! So I turned around after crossing the river and waited for the train where it enters Pekin near Worley Lake.    The four empty BNSF flat cars must be returning to Caterpillar at Decatur for more machinery loads.  CAPTION: Canadian National Railway train L557 (Local, E. Peoria IL to Decatur IL) rolls along the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad double track mainline at Pekin, Illinois mid-afternoon Tuesday, November 12, 2024. CN 8937 and CN 5791 have 19 cars.   - David P. Jordan

I received a heads up and caught an empty northbound Union Pacific grain extra late this afternoon. I saw the information 30 minutes after the fact, but was already in downtown Peoria so I decided to head over to W. Farmington Road. The signal was green and I only waited but a few minutes before the train showed. Symbol is something like GSWWAZ or GSWWAC.  CAPTION: A northbound train of Union Pacific grain empties rolls across W. Farmington Road late-afternoon Saturday, November 9, 2024. UP 8730 and UP 8394 have 101 cars.   David P. Jordan

I went into East Peoria this afternoon to check on Iowa Interstate manifest PESI, which was expected to have IAIS 509 and IAIS 151 on the point, as well as NS 5174 for Des Moines. The train was sitting on the West Lead in East Peoria with lights on, but darkness fell before it left.   I did capture the Keokuk Junction Railway's East Peoria Turn on its return trip west. Seeing any train helps me deal with MPECL withdrawal... CAPTION: The Keokuk Junction Railway's East Peoria Turn is shown at Sanger Street in Peoria, Illinois on its return trip west shortly after 5:00pm Wednesday, November 6, 2024. Train just departed the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad's East Peoria Yard.  LTEX 3010, PREX 2003 and LTEX 6437 have 28 cars. - David P. Jordan

Iowa Interstate's SIPE arrived Thursday night with 513 again. Friday, I learned that PESI was planned for Saturday afternoon, but 513 was still parked on the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad's Creve Coeur Team Track as of late-afternoon. I did see a BioUrja Renewables LLC crew drop empties and pull loads from the South Yard in Peoria.   I made a vain attempt to reach S. Darst Street, hoping 932 was pulling, but then realized it was a short train (probably eleven cars) being shoved from the plant into the yard. The 932 came back, switched to the other siding (TP&W grain cars were on the main Riverside Track) and pulled 14 loads to the plant.  CAPTION: A BioUrja Renewables LLC crew using ADMX 932 pulls 14 corn loads from the South Yard in Peoria, Illinois late-afternoon Saturday, November 2, 2024. Earlier, the 932 shoved empties into the South Yard. Incobrasa Industries cars are loaded at Inco Grain Ltd. in Goodland, Indiana.   - David P. Jordan

Before leaving work, I learned that Norfolk Southern local D49 was in East Peoria, and the GoRail unit (NS 6963) was leading. I figured a chance to see it just after work, which is what I did. Five cars on the head end are plastic loads, likely storage-in-transit business from Equistar Chemicals LP on the Illinois & Midland RR.  CAPTION:   Norfolk Southern Railway train D49 (Normal IL to E. Peoria IL Turn) is shown on its return leg mid-afternoon Thursday, October 31, 2024. NS 6963, the "GoRail" unit, and NS 6923, have 20 cars for Good Yard in Normal. Scene is at N. Main Street in Morton. :     - David P. Jordan