Illinois & Midland RR Local 7-26-26

Today marked my first encounter with an Illinois & Midland Railroad local on its "Springfield Main" since April 19, 2020, also a Sunday. I've seen them on East Peoria turns and I've seen wind turbine tower and blade trains on the Springfield Main. The locals are pretty random, and catching them is a treat. 
 
I first noticed the two locomotives in the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad's Pekin Yard adjacent Alto Pekin LLC's wet corn mill in mid-afternoon. I had an appointment for an oil change so after that was done, I returned to Pekin to hear the dispatcher give permission to depart Powerton south. I finally found the train near County Road 11000 North with just one covered hopper (CVHX 896100, plastic load). 
 
I stepped out of my air conditioned car and the camera lens fogged up. I kept wiping it, only to have it fog up again, so that is the explanation for the first scene. 

 
CAPTION: A southbound Illinois & Midland Railroad local out of Powerton, Illinois is shown at four locations in and around Manito and Forest City late-afternoon Sunday, July 26, 2026. IMRR 2108 and TPW 2105 have a single car.

- David P. Jordan

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