Peoria Station

I happened to catch M-GALPEI having just entered Tazewell & Peoria property at Darst Street, so I headed to the riverfront for the only really good lighting left. Then I went to the library intending to catch M-PEIGAL later. What I did not count on was that M-PEIGAL left earlier than I figured it would, and that Norfolk Southern train D47 was cleared to run from Farmdale to P&PU Junction and into the East Peoria Yard at the same time. Fortunately, I got both! CAPTION: BNSF Railway train M-GALPEI (Manifest, Galesburg IL to Peoria IL) rolls across the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad's Illinois River Bridge at Peoria, Illinois mid-afternoon Friday, October 9, 2026. BNSF 7429 and BNSF 1109 have 20 cars. In early evening, counterpart M-PEIGAL rolls by Kramm Road, a few miles west of Edwards, Illinois. I heard some radio chatter from the MOP giving instructions into the yard as well as where the outbound was, but didn't pickup the train symbol or control points. So I checked t...

I went to the Farmdale area almost immediately after work and encountered Norfolk Southern D47 on its trip back to Good Yard at Normal.  When D49 moved from a morning to an evening call time on August 24, it seemed likely that a daylight job would be put on soon to support increased Rivian output.  Hopefully, D47 is actually a regular job now, and an East Peoria turn is one of its regular duties. (This seems likely; a commenter on the video wrote that he saw it yesterday behind the Dollar Tree in East Peoria.) CAPTION: Norfolk Southern Train D47 (Normal IL to E. Peoria IL) rolls through the Farmdale area of East Peoria, Illinois on its return leg to Good Yard in Normal, mid-afternoon Thursday, October 8, 2026. NS 7011 and NS 7034 have 60 cars. - David P. Jordan

No Caterpillar loads on this Monday. The first 13 cars (maybe 14, but that car is empty) were from Friday's Keokuk Junction Railway delivery. Ten cars near the end are likely ADM corn germ/meal, etc. from the Iowa Interstate.  CAPTION: Norfolk Southern Railway train D49 (Local, Normal IL to E. Peoria turn) is shown on its return leg to Good Yard at Normal, Illinois mid-afternoon Monday, June 29, 2026. First scene is at N. Main Street in Morton's outskirts and then again at Deer Creek with a slow order. NS 3228, NS 7021 and NS 5116 (Des Moines unit via IAIS) have 45 cars. - David P. Jordan

List, Driving westbound on I-74, I heard radio chatter which took several glances to confirm it was the NS road channel (161.145mhz). I was able to turn around at Pinecrest.   It seemed that D49 was getting a track warrant from Farmdale to MP 379 (Good Yard), but as I neared N. Main Street with a clear view of the Bloomington District , I noticed the train was already rolling by Crandall and the TP&W crossing.   An attempt to beat the train to Deer Creek failed, so I elected to get back on I-74 at Goodfield and get ahead of it at Carlock. As you can see, my plan succeeded.    Today's train was heavy, and probably the first since Thursday. Besides the four Caterpillar track-type tractor loads, we have the usual ADM traffic (two blocks) off the Iowa Interstate, plastic pellets off the Illinois & Midland, and alcohol, carbon dioxide refrigerated liquid and coiled wire rod loads from Tazewell & Peoria Railroad-served industries. CAPTION: Norfolk Southe...

When I learned D49 had permission to depart the Nickel Plate this afternoon, I decided to head it off at Farmdale Trestle area, got impatient and was on the wrong side of the Farmdale Road crossing in East Peoria when I saw it. I had to use I-74 to Goodfield to make sure I did not miss it again. Looks like I missed a CN monster L557 though... I can't complain. It is good to see that heavy Iowa Interstate interchange (mostly ADM) swelling consists. NS is delivering both steel coils and steel billets to IAIS, so regular loads are interchanged in both directions! Btw, when I first saw the train in East Peoria, about 1532, radio chatter mentioned D47. That train, as far as I know, has been an extra job for years. First I've heard it in awhile. With Rivian Automotive introducing the R2 model along with a new, dedicated assembly building on the main plant's east side (former test track), perhaps an afternoon job has been established to finish D49's work?  CAPTION: Norfolk ...

On a whim, I decided to head to Bloomington-Normal to catch Norfolk Southern's D36 train, which typically leaves Good Yard by late-afternoon or early evening. The EOT on the rear car was flashing when I arrived, so I knew it would depart shortly. I had time to check on Union Pacific's MBNAS. Normally, it would have left by now, but turns out it had just left the yard but was paused just to the south. I crossed the Springfield Sub at 6 Points Road and then heard the horn. I immediately turned around. With no time to park and set up, I just shot the train through my windshield. Better than nothing (or chasing it, and missing the NS train!) CAPTION: Union Pacific MBNAS (Manifest, Bloomington IL to Alton & Southern) rolls across 6 Points Road on Bloomington, Illinois' southwest side early evening Thursday, May 21, 2026. UP 2184 and UP 2205 have 37 cars. D36 forwards D49 traffic out of East Peoria to Bement (setout for an eastbound manifest) and Decatur (for classification)...

I went to Deer Creek and waited, then chased to Carlock and Yuton. Five Caterpillar D9 tractor loads were worth the chase. Four OZIX (Ozinga) 2-bay covered hoppers were loaded, but based on their appearance on a D49 in July 2025 (before Ozinga's Peoria transfer dock was built) they might contain granulated slag from Harsco's Powerton plant (they are with EQUX plastic cars and other slag loads that most certainly came from IMRR).  CAPTION: Norfolk Southern Railway train D49 (Normal IL to E. Peoria IL turn) is shown at Deer Creek, Illinois on its return leg from East Peoria to Good Yard in Normal, Illinois mid-afternoon Monday, May 11, 2026. Later, it rolls through Carlock and pauses at Yuton so the conductor can line the switch into the make up track at Good Yard. NS 6968 and NS 6923 have 50 cars. Note five Caterpillar D9 track-type tractor loads.   M-PEIGAL will have 2? locomotives picked up from the Creve Coeur Team Track.  CAPTION: BNSF Railway M-GALPEI (Manifest,...

I'm not sure the last time Norfolk Southern D49 ran before today, but it must have been awhile. Monday's return trip had 89 cars! Besides five Caterpillar D10 tractor loads, the train had seven plastic loads from the Illinois & Midland, 24 ADM grain product loads from Iowa Interstate, 10 corn syrup tanks from the Keokuk Junction Railway and possibly some other interchange business.    I came home from work unaware if the train had left, then received a tip, and headed out. I decided to try to capture the train rolling across the Mackinaw River east of Goodfield. Turns out, I should have just waited for it at Goodfield, and then gone on to Carlock. But I missed it at Yuton as I did not want to risk construction delays on I-74 east of Carlock. Fortunately, the D36 crew had already arrived and took the train on east after adding 43 more cars.   Recent reports have D32 (Decatur to Normal) running Sunday during the day (a wide window) and Monday through Friday during ...

After work, I learned that Norfolk Southern's D49 local had already left East Peoria. I decided to go after it, catching just before Carlock. I knew I could not set up in time there, but exited I-74 (due to construction) onto US 150 (waiting on the train in town) and just barely beating it to Yuton, where it had slowed before pausing for the conductor to line the switch into the "make up" track and into Good Yard's Track 5.    This was a good one. Three Caterpillar tractor loads (one D10 and two D11s), four coiled wire rod loads, a plastic load (from IMRR), an alcohol load and the usual ADM traffic from the Iowa Interstate. Two empty coil steel cars from IAIS, and a scrap metal empty. Two probable steel billet empties (also from IAIS), brought up the rear. CAPTION: Norfolk Southern Railway Train D49 (Normal IL to E. Peoria IL Turn) is shown slowing at Yuton, Illinois as it approaches its home terminal, Good Yard, in Normal late-afternoon Wednesday, April 22, 2026...

I had a heads up that Canadian National's L557 local was about to, or already had. left East Peoria, and decided to take Rt. 98 and then a left on Rt. 29. This was a good decision because the train had entered Pekin just ahead of me.  CAPTION: Canadian National Railway train L557 (Local, E. Peoria IL to Decatur IL) rolls enters home rails at IC Junction in downtown Pekin, Illinois late-afternoon Thursday, April 16, 2026. Steel coil and lumber loads, for Hanna Steel and Amerhart, respectively were "turned" at the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad's East Peoria Yard rather than being set out at Pekin (perhaps L556's crew was short on time?). CN 3192 has 37 cars.   I normally don't post UP Joliet/Springfield Sub action here, but something stood out with a possible local connection.    There were nine RISX covered hoppers on today's MBNAS (in groups of six and three). All empties. Those markings are familiar to me because similar RISX-marked cars are assig...

After work, I was able to capture Norfolk Southerns D49 local on its way back to Good Yard. The train's consist was nothing unusual, but loads and empties are pretty identifiable.   The first five cars were loaded covered hoppers, two with ADMX markings. These contained some kind of grain product. Since ADM no longer operates its Peoria distillery (sold to BioUrja Renewables LLC in late-2021), these must have been received from the Iowa Interstate Railroad (from Cedar Rapids) or Union Pacific (Clinton).   The two NS gondolas were empty, and are probably in steel billet service. Recently, Norfolk Southern began delivering these to the Iowa Interstate (via TZPR). They reportedly originate down south for the Gerdau AmeriSteel mini-mill at Wilton, Iowa.    Sixteen more covered hoppers, many with ADMX markings, indicate a block of grain product loads from a connecting line, probably Iowa Interstate.    Then we have a single two-bay covered hopper. I beli...

I had to go further than I wanted on account of this afternoon's snow showers. My favorite spots at N. Main Street (outside Morton) and Crandall probably weren't clear of snow, so I opted for Deer Creek.   The three Caterpillar tractor loads were on TZPR 68-foot flats, so I'm thinking these were D11s. The other 19 cars were from the Keokuk Junction Railway. Obviously, the Thanksgiving holiday and weekend affected the traffic mix for the week's first D49.  CAPTION: Norfolk Southern Railway train D49 (Normal IL to E. Peoria IL turn) rolls through Deer Creek, Illinois on its return leg from East Peoria, Illinois to Good Yard in Normal late afternoon Monday, December 1, 2025. NS 7021 and NS 7035 have 22 cars, including three Caterpillar tractor loads. - David P. Jordan

I learned that Norfolk Southern's D49 local left East Peoria around 3:00pm, just as I was leaving work. So I went home, grabbed my camera and set up at N. Main Street. I did not have to wait for long. I decided to grab another shot at Deer Creek, but by then it was raining so I switched to my phone camera.    Today's train was nothing special, other than having the GoRail unit (NS 6963) a second unit.  CAPTION: Norfolk Southern Railway train D49 (Normal IL to E. Peoria IL turn) is shown on its return leg back to Good Yard in Normal, Illinois mid-afternoon Monday, November 24, 2025. Scenes are at N. Main Street in Morton and again at Deer Creek. NS 7021 and NS 6963 have 17 cars.   - David P. Jordan

The downtown library was closed for an employee meeting but I decided to check on Norfolk Southern's D49 train. I had no heads up, but sure enough, I got off I-74 onto E. Washington Street and then left on Camp Street. As I approached the N. Main Street intersection, D49 rounded through the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad's Farm Creek bridge. I made a right, backtracked on I-74 to E. Washington Street and took a back to the Farmdale Trestle and waited.   I had plenty of time.    I found out why. The two locomotives had a healthy 65 cars behind them. The first 15 are from the KJRY - corn syrup/sorbitol and probably organic grain in the CGRX-marked covered hoppers. Maybe six of seven ADMX/leased covered hoppers were loaded. Two NS covered hoppers were empty. The ROLX and ADYX tank cars likely contain steepwater. The next 17 cars were empty NS-marked gondolas, which I've seen pulled by the Tazewell & Peoria RR from Kickapoo Yard to East Peoria, but not that many at on...

Rivian Automotive Inc's Normal assembly plant had been shutdown the past three weeks for retooling, prior to production of the R2, which is intended to start in the first half of 2026.   Although Rivian should have an inventory of vehicles on hand to continue shipments, it appears Norfolk Southern's D49 job was only doing limited work there (if any) during this period, and making the East Peoria trip earlier than usual.   That shutdown is likely complete effective today, thus I decided to check to see if D49 was in town. Sure enough, it was, and the crew was only backing its power into its outbound at 1535 hours.    Today's outbound D49 had the usual traffic -   2 steepwater loads 11 ADM grain product loads from IAIS 2 scrap metal empties 1 grain product (DDGS, gluten meal or feed) 3 CO2 refrigerated liquid loads (UN 2187) 3 steepwater loads 1 industrial alcohol load (UN 1170) 1 grain product load (DDGS, gluten meal or Feed) 2 Gluten meal loads ...

I just happened to notice the tail end of Norfolk Southern train D49 at Farmdale Switch in East Peoria, so I turned around and set up at Deer Creek and again at Carlock for video. Notice today's train has the same number of cars (23) as Wednesday's. CAPTION: Norfolk Southern Railway train D49 (Normal IL to E. Peoria IL Turn) is shown on its return leg to Good Yard in Normal, Illinois mid- to late-afternoon Friday, September 12, 2025. Scenes are at Deer Creek and Carlock. NS 4411, NS 7111 and NS 7034 have 23 cars.   - David P. Jordan

I checked the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad's East Peoria Yard this afternoon after work, but did not see Norfolk Southern power anywhere, so after I had crossed the river was suprised to hear them get permission to depart. I was able to get back across the river and set up along Farmdale Road for video.  CAPTION: Norfolk Southern Railway train D49 (Local, Normal IL to E. Peoria Turn) is shown rolling out of East Peoria, Illinois on the return leg to Good Yard in Normal late-afternoon Wednesday, September 10, 2025. NS 7034 and NS 6972 have 23 cars. Just before hearing the NS crew get permission to depart, the Keokuk Junction Railway local asked for permission to leave. The dispatcher told them they would have to wait on the bridge (and I assume river traffic), so I went after the NS. When I returned to Peoria, I decided to check Collier Yard. No sign of the KJRY. I don't know if they had already left or not, as sometimes they run straight through Bartonville without worki...

After work, I went into East Peoria hoping to see Norfolk Southern's D49 local leaving for Normal. Before I had a chance to check the TZPR yard, I heard the horn, and saw D49 approaching the E. Washington Street crossing. I decided to set up east of the Farmdale Trestle for video.    I liked the results.  CAPTION: Norfolk Southern Railway train D49 (Local, Normal IL to E. Peoria IL) rolls under the Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway's Farmdale Trestle on the east edge of East Peoria, Illinois on its way back to Good Yard in Normal mid-afternoon Friday, September 5, 2025. NS 4486, NS 6085 and NS 3277 have 46 cars. Shortly after the NS local came into view, I learned that a TP&W eastbound was approaching Washington. I calculated that I had time to bag the NS local and then head east to capture the TP&W train.  CAPTION: The Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway's eastbound M-train, sometimes called "M-EPEF," rolls by Grainland Farmers' Cruger, Illinois ...

I just missed its departure yesterday. How rare is it to be able to capture the same train the next day?   Shortly after arriving home this afternoon, I learned that D49 was still in the Farmdale area. I did not want to risk missing it by driving I-74 or Rt. 150 into East Peoria and then backtracking to Farmdale, I decided to wait at Crandall.   I made the right move. The train came by just before 4:00pm.    After tying up at Farmdale Road due to hours of service by Wednesday evening, I assumed the crew would finish its trip first thing Thursday morning. I'm not sure why they waited until afternoon. It was probably because they either used D32's power to perform local work in Bloomington-Normal this morning, and only had time to work Wednesday's East Peoria train in the afternoon.  CAPTION: Norfolk Southern Railway local D49 (Normal IL to E. Peoria IL Turn) is shown rolling across the Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway's Morton Industrial Spur at Crand...

I checked East Peoria this afternoon and found Norfolk Southern train D49 still in the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad yard building a train. Per radio chatter, the crew grabbed a cut on A-9 and doubled it to A-7 and then built air tested the train on A-27. It finally departed at 1652 hours, which required them to book it before hours of service expired at 1800. It is possible they did not quite make it.    Norfolk Southern's D49 train seems to make an East Peoria turn at least twice a week, though days may vary. Today's train had the usual Caterpillar tractors, wire rod, alcohol, CO2 refrigerated liquid, corn germ and plastic pellets. Not only TZPR, but IMRR, KJRY and likely IAIS (ADM corn germ) traffic is represented.  CAPTION: Norfolk Southern Railway train D49 (Normal IL to E. Peoria Turn) departs the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad in East Peoria, Illinois late-afternoon Tuesday, August 26, 2025 on its return leg to Good Yard in Normal. A short time later, the train i...