Peoria Station

Happenings were frequent in 1987, so I'm sticking with analysis-by-year for now. Those late-1986 mergers brought less competition and higher fares into 1987. As a consequence, scheduled flights and passenger traffic decreased. These were good times, however. Let's begin with a rundown of happenings by airline. AMERICAN EAGLE (Simmons Airlines) When 1987 began, this carrier offered six weekday roundtrips between Peoria and Chicago-O'Hare (ORD) and four Peoria-Springfield (SPI) tag-ons. The latter gained a fifth roundtrip on February 2. On March 1, American Eagle eliminated an O'Hare roundtrip, and reduced Springfield tag-ons to four until April 5. Scheduling five ORD-PIA-SPI roundtrips continued to be the norm through November. Until October 1, American Eagle operated a 46-seat ATR-42 on a mid-afternoon turnaround from Chicago-O'Hare. Then on November 1, it resumed use of the French-built turboprop on late-morning turnaround from Chicago-O'Hare. All other...

Peoria's twice-daily Charlotte nonstops are getting bigger planes next year. Thanks to a tip from a commenter, I searched American Airlines' website and found that both roundtrips are being upgauge from 50-seat CRJ200s to 63- to 65-seat CRJ700s beginning February 14, 2019.  It is possible that the additional capacity was already planned as smaller regional jets are phased out, but competition might be another reason. Delta Air Lines schedules show 76-seat CRJ900s operating some Peoria-Atlanta roundtrips in November. I expect bigger jets on that route to compensate for the loss of Detroit flights late that month.  Whether due to competitive pressures or a scheduled phase-out of the older, smaller jets, any upgauge is good news for Peoria travelers.  PHOTO COPYRIGHT 2017 by David P. Jordan  - An American Eagle CRJ700 is shown July 29, 2017 on final approach to Chicago-O'Hare International Airport.   - David P. Jordan

Until this morning, work and weather had prevented me from capturing a Frontier Airlines jet at Bloomington-Normal's Central Illinois Regional Airport (CIRA),  The Denver, Colorado-based airline recently resumed service there with nonstops to Denver and Orlando, September 24 and October 2, respectively. Flights operate between Denver and Orlando, stopping at CIRA in each direction Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Sunday morning's flight operated with a 138-seat Airbus A-319. On the tail was "Flip the Bottlenose Dolphin." I caught its arrival from Denver on Runway 11 and departure to Orlando on Runway 20. - David P. Jordan

I caught this BNSF Railway track geometry train leaving Peoria late Tuesday morning. Scenes are at Bridge Junction on the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad (where the train "turned" after arriving town), W. Clarke Street, off Kickapoo Creek Road and Pottstown.  Track geometry trains measure a track's crosslevel (height of rails relative to the other), track gauge (checks for deviation from standard 4-foot 8 and 1/-inches between rails), line (how straight or curvature it should be vs. how it is) and surface (vertical variation relative to both rails).  - David P. Jordan

Time for more Transportation Q & A! Feel free to post your questions in the comments section on any transportation topic. If I don't have an answer, I'll find one. I'm working on the "PIA - A History: Events of 1987" post. Expect it in the near future.  - David P. Jordan

An article appearing in Wednesday's Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel online  includes an ominous possibility, not for now, but possibly the near future.  First some background. Komatsu acquired Joy Global on April 5, 2017. Renamed Komatsu Mining Systems, its West Milwaukee, Wisconsin plant manufactures mining shovels and various components (including gears). At the time, demand for mining equipment had been depressed for several years, and many workers were on layoff. Recently, Komatsu announced that it would move work to West Milwaukee from China.  Now comes the announcement that Komatsu is developing a new manufacturing plant in the Milwaukee Harbor area, immediate west of Jones Island. After clearing and environmental cleanup, the site will be ready for development sometime in 2019. The new site, which is expected to replace some or all of existing West Milwaukee plant operations, will significantly improve outbound logistics. At present, large components mov...

Believe me, the events of 1986 will leave your head spinning! Signs of an air service boom came early in the year. The Peoria Journal Star reported January 7 on Republic Airlines' interest in serving Peoria, as well as plans by an unnamed carrier to offer jet service to Chicago. More on those later. By 1986, the American economy was booming.  From November 1985 to July 1986, the oil price per barrel dropped from $30 to $12. Thus, airlines also benefitted from reduced expenses. A simultaneous surge in capacity brought lower fares. Peoria shared in this prosperity. Better yet, locally-based Caterpillar returned to profitability and sales were growing again. Here's a run-down of happenings by airline for the year. AIR WISCONSIN Beginning March 2, four roundtrips were operated on weekdays (fewer on weekends) between Peoria and Chicago-O'Hare. In mid-year, all four operated to and from Springfield, giving the carrier eight weekday departures out of Peoria.  When ...