Canadian National G888, Tazewell & Peoria RR Pekin and Uptown Locals 2-15-26

Last month, I missed the first of these grain trains moving empty north and loaded south. This month, I missed the northbound empties but today I caught the loads being moved out of Pekin by CN. These trains are co-loaded at Malcom and Kellogg, Iowa on the Iowa Interstate Railroad for a port in the New Orleans area for export. 

CAPTION: An encounter with a Canadian National Railway grain extra for me on Sunday, February 15, 2026 began with a light engine movement by the old Chicago & Illinois & Midland Railway depot at IC Junction in Pekin, Illinois. IC 1028 and CN 2315 then coupled to 108 cars left early Saturday morning by the Iowa Interstate Railroad on the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad's Main 2. Train is shown briefly at N. 3rd Street and Washington Street and then the whole train races across 5th Street near South Pekin.

 

After catching the CN power moving engine lite, it seemed odd that they sat for awhile between Ann Eliza and N. 2nd streets. Turns out, they were holding until a Pekin-bound Tazewell & Peoria Railroad local cleared the Ice house. To shoot video of the local, I stood where years ago there were three grain elevators. 

CAPTION: A Tazewell & Peoria Railroad local rolls along Pekin, Illinois' riverfront Sunday, February 15, 2026. TZPR 1351 has 26 cars (all empties) for Alto Pekin and Alto ICP plants.

 

After leaving the Peoria Train Fair at Illinois Central College's East Peoria campus, I heard a distant horn, but could not tell if it was in East Peoria or across the river. I bet on the latter and was rewarded when I saw TPW 2056 dragging a cut of cars across Alexander Avenue near the North Limit Yard. 

CAPTION: A Tazewell & Peoria Railroad local rolls by Persimmon Street and then Leland Street in Peoria, Illinois mid-afternoon Sunday, February 15, 2026. TPW 2056 has 21 cars that Iowa Interstate Railroad's SIPE set out at the North Limit Yard on Friday. Train is bound for East Peoria.

 

- David P. Jordan