Peoria Station

Patriot Rail's acquisition of Pioneer Lines is already producing fruit! In a letter dated May 17, 2022, M. S. Carver Lumber president Joseph Fontana wrote the Surface Transportation Board requesting a legal change to Pioneer Industrial Railway's lease with the City of Peoria of 3.74 miles between a connection with Union Pacific and Pioneer Industrial Park. There seems to have been a delay in action by Pioneer Industrial Railway but both a 56-page Notice of Exemption and an eight-page Motion for Protective Order were filed with the STB on October 3. The Board granted PIRY's request today. You can read the filings here . Today's decision can be read here . I suspect rising diesel fuel prices may have been a factor in Carver's desire to rail service restored to its Pioneer Park facility. Lack of competitive access notwithstanding, direct rail delivery is cheaper than truck, even if a short distance from a wholesaler or transload site. UPDATE: On page 47 of the main Oc...

As it turns out, I had sufficient material for far more than I expected. This will be the second of a three-part documentary, which covers more of the Central Illinois Railroad Co's Peoria Division than Pioneer. You've already seen the video, but most of the stills you haven't. Looking for feedback. Part 3 will be posted when I have time to create it. - David P. Jordan