Peoria Station

Peoria is getting a new industry. Even better, a new rail user. In a press release dated November 25 , Viridis Chemical Co. confirms its plan to move an ethyl acetate plant from Columbus, Nebraska to Peoria.  The new Peoria site, situated on the Illinois River, offers key logistical advantages. In addition to the adjacency to BioUrja, the location includes access to all major rail lines and barge-navigable routes connecting to the Mississippi River. The site’s proximity to Viridis’ core ethyl acetate customers in the Midwest and Northeast, combined with its superior logistics and storage capabilities, will position Viridis for enhanced operational efficiency and customer service. Yesterday, the Peoria City Council approved Viridis' plan after it agreed to certain conditions. The  reason to move  was that that the existing plant had been supplied ethanol from BioUrja Renewables LLC's Peoria plant for two years, so it made sense to be closer to its supplier.  The new ...

As I left the downtown library this evening, I heard the horn blowing through riverfront crossings. I had a feeling it was Iowa Interstate's PESI, and I quickly comfimed that I was correct. Though dark and cold, I knew there was one spot with a bright street lamp - Morton Street!   I attempted night video at this spot some months ago with SIPE but the bright street lamps turned off just as a the train approached!   Tonight's train has about eight potash cars (not sure if empty or loaded), the usual ADM mash empties, perhaps a few Alto mash or gluten feed or meal loads, and some alcohol and scrap metal loads. CAPTION: Iowa Interstate Railroad manifest PESI (Peoria IL to Silvis IL) rolls through the Morton Street crossing on the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad in Peoria, Illinois early evening Wednesday, December 11, 2024. IAIS 152 has 45 cars.   - David P. Jordan

After work, I was able to capture a short TP&W eastbound manifest leave the East Peoria Yard. After getting it a second time at Ernest Street near Washington, I decided it would be too dark to follow any further.  CAPTION:  Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway train M-EPEF (Manifest, E. Peoria IL to Effner IL) departs the East Peoria Yard mid-afternoon Friday, December 6, 2024. TPW 3440, TPW 5008 and TPW 5010 have 30 cars. Later, it rolls across Ernest Street before climbing into Washington. :   - David P. Jordan

For the second Sunday in a row, I received a heads up that a westbound TP&W was moving. This time, M-EFEP was reported by Piper City, Illinois at 1430 hours.  CAPTION: Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway train M-EFEP (Manifest, Effner IL to E. Peoria IL) nears its stop at Meadows, Illinois to drop grain empties for loading late-afternoon Sunday, December 1, 2024. TPW 5009, MQT 3407, TPW 5010 and TPW 3443 have 46 cars.    - David P. Jordan