TZPR Local, KJRY EP Turn, Canadian National L557 3-6-25

By 1530 hours Thursday afternoon, radio chatter indicated numerous train operations on both sides of the river. I shot video of three, but missed an empty Union Pacific-TP&W grain train heading east, BNSF's M-GALPEI (waiting on the Levee for space in the East Peoria Yard) and TZPR 1351 (possibly Industry 4) heading out of the Creve Coeur diesel shop to the Limit Yard to grab mash loads from the Iowa Interstate (after 1521 was working Biourja!). Of course, the KJRY train returned west after dark with a reported 51 cars. I don't know if BNSF's train crew had time to flip back west with M-PEIGAL. 

 

I did see TZPR 1521 finishing up work at BioUrja Renewables LLC's alcohol tracks, putting together a train of nine cars (four empties, then five loads). The fifth car, SHPX 201915, was loaded, but lacked a haz-mat placard. I believe BioUrja is shipping "Distillers Corn Oil" regularly in tank cars. 

CAPTION: A Tazewell & Peoria Railroad local is seen at Leland Street in Peoria, Illinois mid-afternoon Thursday, March 6, 2025. A few minutes later, the train crosses the river. After finishing up at BioUrja Renewables LLC's alcohol tracks, TZPR 1521 pulls nine cars (four empties, then five loads) from the West Yard to East Peoria.

I already knew the Keokuk Junction Railway train was waiting at Iowa Junction for permission to enter Tazewell & Peoria Railroad property. Congestion in and around the East Peoria Yard delayed movement for probably 45 minutes or so. The fourth unit was likely needed for 51 outbound cars from TZPR and presumably a pickup at Collier Yard going west. 

CAPTION: The Keokuk Junction Railway's East Peoria Turn is shown on the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad in Peoria, Illinois late-afternoon Thursday, March 6, 2025. LTEX 3836, PREX 2035, PREX 2003 and LTEX 3010 have 27 cars.

I had to miss the CN local leaving the East Peoria Yard, but caught it at Pekin. As usual, the train stopped to switch Hanna Steel Corp.  I didn't see any cars at Amerhart Ltd. 

 

CAPTION: Canadian National Railway train L557 (Local, E. Peoria IL to Decatur IL) is shown negotiating its way through IC Junction and onto home rails at Pekin, Illinois late-afternoon Thursday, March 6, 2025. CN 5726 and CN 2541 have 33 cars. Near Derby Street, L557 dropped its train on the main, picked up seven coil steel loads on the adjacent siding and pulled them south for delivery at Hanna Steel Corp.

 

- David P. Jordan