Iowa Interstate PESI, TP&W Powerton Turn 8-30-26

I learned that an Iowa Interstate PESI was at East Peoria this morning, and later was able to shoot video of it at San Koty, a few miles out of the North Limit Yard. This train of 92 cars may have had only ten loads. The last six cars of the second block of covered hoppers were loaded. Two denatured alcohol (UN 1987), an iron oxide load (CIGX gondola) and a coil steel load (NS coil care car) were the others. NOTE: IAIS 152 was coupled to a PEDAV (potash empties) this morning and afternoon, but I saw no sign of a crew, probably tomorrow. 

CAPTION: Iowa Interstate Railroad Ltd manifest PESI (Peoria IL to Silvis IL) rolls along home rails at San Koty, Illinois late-morning Sunday, August 30, 2026. IAIS 503 has 92 cars.

Incobrasa Industries' massive expansion at Gilman, and purchase of the American Milling Co. feed mill and barge dock at Crescent (Pekin) has created sufficient volume for the TP&W to run East Peoria-Powerton turns for direct interchange with the Illinois & Midland Railroad. 

That Western Grain Marketing at Atterberry is loading TP&W cars suggests they are soybeans loads for Gilman. This kind of business will keep at least the Pekin-Shops portion of the IMRR viable after coal traffic ends later this decade. 

I am hoping to see Incobrasa carload business (soybean meal, soybean oil, biodiesel) move TPW-IMRR-CPKC as well. There is definitely a market for soybean meal at feed mills in Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Texas. 

CAPTION: A Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway crew made a Powerton turn midday Sunday, August 30, 2026. TPW 5009 and OHCR 3329 have 57 cars (32 loads, 25 empties) for the Illinois & Midland Railroad, on whose rails it is shown. The Incobrasa cars were loaded, likely with soybean meal for Inco Barge. The 25 TP&W grain cars were empties, probably for Western Grain Marketing at Atterberry. These locomotives left engine light.

- David P. Jordan