TZPR Local, BNSF X-SMRPEI 3-8-26

I learned that an empty BNSF feed pellet train had left Galesburg for Peoria in mid-afternoon so I left earlier than usual on Sunday evening.
 
Driving I-474 westbound just after crossing the river, I heard some radio chatter on the TZPR road frequency. I did not make out what was being said, but a quickly glance at a TZPR train ready to depart Kickapoo Yard prompted me to turn around and grab video. I was able to get it at Darst Street. Nothing groundbreaking behind the SW-1500 but the three loaded covered hoppers on the rear are likely dry fertilizer loads from Mosaic Crop Nutrition LLC in the Pekin Bottoms. 


CAPTION: A Tazewell & Peoria Railroad local enroute from Kickapoo Yard to East Peoria, is shown late-afternoon Sunday, March 8, 2026. IMRR 43 has nine cars.
 
After the TZPR local went by, I resumed my plan to intercept the empty BNSF feed train, but just missed it at W. Farmington Road and could not turn around in sufficient time to bag it before the blockade on Kickapoo Creek Road at Harmon Highway. So I had to settle for a long,s low-moving video at Darst Street. This may have been the last spot I could get it anyway because radio chatter indicated they were going to cut at crossings on Main 2. Normally, the train is dropped at the end of the double track at Pekin, but chatter sounded like they intended to park it along Wesley Road instead. 


CAPTION: BNSF Railway train X-SMRPEI (Empties, Summerfield TX to Peoria IL) rolls onto the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad at Darst Street in Peoria, Illinois late-afternoon Sunday, March 8, 2026. Train will be interchanged to Canadian National for the final leg to Decatur. BNSF 5107, BNSF 6755 and FXE 4054 have 100 gluten feed pellet empties.
 
- David P. Jordan

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