Union Pacific MPECL, TP&W M-EFEP 11-25-25

I learned Monday that Union Pacific's MPECL would be unusually lengthy, owing to block of 31 plastic pellet covered hoppers on the rear. I would also note eight scrap metal loads mid-train. Liberty Steel & Wire seems to suspend operations for maintenance at least two weeks prior to Thanksgiving, so that may account for the latter. 

 

I took a half day from work Tuesday and found the train ready to depart around 1130. 

CAPTION: Union Pacific train MPECL (Manifest, Peoria IL to Clinton IA) rolls by Milepost 80 shortly after entering the Peoria Subdivision mainline mid-day Tuesday, November 25, 2025. Later, the train crests Pioneer Hill. UP 5863 and UP 8135 have 79 cars.

 

After returning home, I learned that a westbound TP&W road freight was by Piper City shortly after 1300 hours, so I took off, tracing the TP&W along US 24 until I encountered the train at Gridley. Notables include 14 limestone loads for East Peoria Materials, five gondolas loaded with zinc oxide for Iowa Interstate and 25 Incobrasa covered hoppers likely loaded with corn for BioUrja in Peoria. 

CAPTION: The Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway ran this westbound road freight, sometimes called "M-EFEP" (Manifest, Effner IL to E. Peoria IL), on its Illinois mainline Tuesday afternoon, November 25, 2025. Locations are at Gridley, El Paso, County Road 2325 E (between El Paso and Secor) and Cruger. IORY 3472, TPW 3440 and TPW 3441 have 83 cars.

 

- David P. Jordan