Union Pacific MPECL, Keokuk Junction Railway EP Turn 6-5-26

Based on Thursday's TZPR interchange receipt and what was already at Adams Street Yard (from KJRY and TP&W), I knew Union Pacific's MPECL would be decent-sized on Friday. I left work two hours early, and caught a rollby at the old Molitor Junction (MP 80). I then decided to head up I-474 and Rt. 6. Despite the glacial speeds due to construction activity, I actually beat MPECL by at least ten minutes! That lone rebuilt CM44AC was struggling with 80 cars as it crested the hill, but made it! 


CAPTION: Union Pacific train MPECL (Manifest, Peoria IL to Clinton IA) rolls by MP 80 shortly after leaving Adams Street Yard in Peoria, Illinois early afternoon Friday, June 5, 2026. Later, the train has conquered Pioneer Hill on the northwest side of town. UP 7284 has 80 cars.

I missed it on Tuesday, but after chasing Union Pacific's MPECL, I encountered the Keokuk Junction Railway local Friday afternoon, capturing it in both directions. PREX 2003 and PREX 2035 are newly painted in Patriot Rail blue, and completed their first DAYLIGHT turn to East Peoria!  

The two NS covered hoppers (separated by an empty twin-bay covered hopper) could be loaded with organic grain from CG&B at Burnside, but the five scattered BNSF covered hoppers are unusual. All were loaded, and mixed with Roquette America traffic. Perhaps Roquette needed them for corn germ shipments to Decatur? 


CAPTION: The Keokuk Junction Railway ran its Mapleton/Kolbe-based local to East Peoria and return on Friday afternoon, June 5, 2026. The eastbound train pulled up to Bridge Junction in Peoria, Illinois but had to pause 45 minutes before signal cleared. PREX 2003, LNW 3806, PREX 2035, LNW 3807 and LTEX 6437 have 33 cars. Departing westbound, after pulling from the Union Pacific at Collier Yard in Bartonville, the train rolls along the "Peoria Terminal" in early evening. LTEX 6437, LNW 3807, PREX 2035, LNW 3806 and PREX 2003 have 16 cars.

- David P. Jordan

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