Iowa Interstate ZENO-E/PESI, Union Pacific MPECL, BNSF M-PEIGAL 10-16-26

I was off work Friday, mainly to block Saturday, on which I planned to leave for the Lexington Group meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina. Turns out, I did not need it after all, but glad I took it anyway. It was quite productive...


CAPTION: Iowa Interstate ZENO-E (Zen-Noh Grain, Eastbound) is shown entering the Peoria Subdivision at Bureau Junction, Illinois late-morning Friday, October 16, 2026. Later scenes are at Putnam, Henry, Sparland, Chillicothe and Rome. IAIS 707 and IAIS 700 have 92 grain empties for interchange to Canadian National on the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad's Pekin double track at Hilliards. In early evening, a new crew has manifest PESI (Peoria IL to Silvis IL) just coming off the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad's Illinois River Bridge at Peoria, Illinois. IAIS 707 and IAIS 700 have NS 5193 and 70 cars.

I ended my chase of Iowa Interstate's ZENO-E after Rome, realizing that Union Pacific's MPECL would probably leave Adams Street Yard around noon. When I drove by that yard, the train was already gone, so I high-tailed it up I-474/Rt. 6 and parked at the top of Pioneer Hill. Not more than two minutes later, the short train blew its horn and rolled right by...


CAPTION: Union Pacific MPECL (Manifest, Peoria IL to Clinton IA) crests Pioneer Hill on Peoria, Illinois' northwest edge midday Friday, October 16, 2026. UP 6480 and UP 7000 have 24 cars.

After my encounter with Union Pacific's MPECL, I was planning to go home, but then decided to check if the Iowa Interstate train had actually crossed the river and tied up on the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad's Pekin double track. Turns out, it had not, but as it was enroute, BNSF's M-PEIGAL received permission to depart East Peoria. 


CAPTION: BNSF Railway M-PEIGAL (Manifest, Peoria IL to Galesburg IL) rolls toward home rails on Peoria, Illinois mid-afternoon Friday, October 16, 2026. BNSF 8502 and BNSF 6413 have 17 cars. Later, the train is shown on home railroads heading toward Galesburg.

- David P. Jordan

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