Peoria Station

I haven't chased a westbound Keokuk Junction Rwy. local to Bushnell since October 19, 2023, more than two years. When I arrived Bushnell, I was thinking the ADM soy protein plant had already closed, yet there were two cars on spot and three loads on the stub ready to be spotted. Guess what? Monday's train switched out one empty, re-spotted the load and spotted one of three loads from the stub. The plant will close this year, so I probably saw it get switched for once, but probably my only time.    I noted quite a bit of track work in places, such as crosstie replacement and surfacing with much ballast poured (but not yet surfaced) on the stretch from the Spoon River Bridge to a point past the Marietta Road overpass, but the train never moved at more than 10mph. I left the chase just west of Bushnell about 4:00pm. At those speeds, the train would have reached La Harpe after dark (if it made it at all). I may try again when the days are longer in late-spring/early-summer....

The Keokuk Junction Railway local ran eastbound Tuesday, and probably made an East Peoria run Wednesday, so I figured it would go west Thursday morning. I nearly missed my chance.  When I arrived Kolbe after 0930, the train was missing, but there were cars parked nearby. So I went to Glasford. As I approached the crossing, the flashers activated and the train rolled in front of me. I turned around and set up just off Devil's Washboard Road. Video also shows it creeping through Canton. No work at Hitchcock on this day. PREX 2032-2040-2018 have 36 cars. When I arrived back in Peoria, I saw BNSF Railway train M-GALPEI sitting at S. Darst Street, so I pulled off and parked on Krause Ave. Moments later, the train entered Tazewell & Peoria Railroad territory. BNSF 5660-8752 have 29 cars. Lack of nitrogen tank cars from Wever, Iowa makes for a short train.  - David P. Jordan

See this post for highlights of the prior ten KJRY Santa Trains in the years 2008-2017. - David P. Jordan

Santa Claus' next visit to Mapleton, Glasford, Breeds, Canton, Cuba and Smithfield is Saturday, December 9, 2017. The Man In Red will arrive by train because that is way cooler and more reliable (lack of snow) than by sleigh.  Since 2008, our visitor from the North Pole has been a partner with Peoria, Illinois-based shortline holding company Pioneer Railcorp, bringing joy, treats and promises of a great holiday season for area children fortunate enough to live along or near the tracks of subsidiary Keokuk Junction Railway (KJRY). Rumor has it that he may have been employed by Pioneer (as a cover) from its founding before retiring some years ago.  This year's Santa Train will be the tenth trip for Santa along the KJRY. So I thought I'd share memories of the first nine. I will add the tenth after the event sometime Saturday evening.  I shot only brief video of the Keokuk Junction Railway's first Santa Train. It is shown approaching Glasford on Decem...