Union Pacific MPECL, Iowa Interstate SIPE/PESI, BNSF M-GALPEI/M-PEIGAL 2-13-26

Like last Friday, I took a half day off work with the intent of capturing some local Union Pacific action - believe it or not - for the first time in 2026! Unlike last Friday, I succeeded, but barely. On my way to Peoria I knew Union Pacific's MPECL had already left Adams Street Yard (call time seems to be getting earlier), so I intended to set up and wait at W. Farmington Road. But when I turned left from the Harmon Highway/Airport Road connector onto Kickapoo Creek Road, I saw the train's end in the distance! I quickly turned around and hightailed it up I-474 and decided it safe to go to Fox Road, off Rt. 91. Turns out, I could probably have beat it to the top of Pioneer Hill (but why take the chance?). Lighting was poor, but at least I got it. 


CAPTION: Union Pacific train MPECL (Manifest, Peoria IL to Clinton IA) races across Fox Road just north of Peoria, Illinois early-afternoon Friday, February 13, 2026. UP 5962 and UP 8215 have 30 cars.

I knew Norfolk Southern (another I yet to catch this year) local D49 had arrived the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad about 1000 this morning, so I checked the East Peoria Yard for any sign the train was still there. Nothing. So I headed back north on Rt. 29 knowing Iowa Interstate manifest SIPE had left Silvis this morning. I encountered it just north of my favorite San Koty spot, turned around quickly and shot the train from my car. Later, after BNSF's M-GALPEI crossed the river, SIPE followed closely behind. I was able to capture PESI departing from Wesley late this afternoon. Notably, this is the second time I have seen a wire rod load on the Iowa Interstate. Also, there were three loaded NS-owned gondolas that likely contained steel billets likely last Sunday. 


CAPTION: Iowa Interstate manifest SIPE (Silvis IL to Peoria IL) rolls by San Koty, Illinois early afternoon Friday, February 13, 2026. IAIS 150, IAIS 712 and IAIS 702 have 83 cars (74 loads, 9 empties). After setting out 42 cars at the North Limit Yard, SIPE delivered 41 cars to the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad in East Peoria (power runby shown at Bridge Junction in Peoria). In late-afternoon, IAIS 150, IAIS 712 and IAIS 702 had 59 cars (7 loads, 52 empties) departing Wesley and rolling through downtown Peoria.
 
After bagging the Iowa Interstate train, I headed to Bartonville wondering if the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad might be switching at Liberty Steel & Wire Co., but then I turned around and headed back into Peoria just as BNSF's M-GALPEI gave up its track warrant on the Peoria Subdivision. I shot the train at Darst Street, and returned to the area just in time to capture M-PEIGAL crossing the river and at Sanger Street in Peoria. 


CAPTION: BNSF Railway train M-GALPEI (Manifest, Galesburg IL to Peoria IL) entered the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad in Peoria, Illinois early afternoon Friday, February 13, 2026. BNSF 6242 and BNSF 3703 have 35 cars. In late-afternoon, counterpart M-PEIGAL (Manifest, Peoria IL to Galesburg IL) crosses the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad's Illinois River Bridge and then curves toward and Sanger Street. BNSF 3703 and BNSF 6242 have 11 cars (four loads, 7 empties).
 
- David P. Jordan

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