Peoria Station

I had just pulled into the downtown library parking lot when I heard the TZPR dispatcher give M-GALPEI instructions into the East Peoria Yard. So I decided to check out the action. When I arrived Sanger Street, I saw a Union Pacific Decatur-bound (via CN) coal train pulling off the Low Line in the distance at Darst Street. Lighting was better across the river so I contemplated shooting video at Hilliards until I noticed BNSF's M-GALPEI waiting at Darst Street for the UP train to clear.    I will take a manifest over a unit train any day. CAPTION: BNSF Railway train M-GALPEI (Manifest, Galesburg IL to Peoria IL) has entered the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad in Peoria, Illinois mid-afternoon Friday, March 21, 2025. BNSF 7441 and BNSF 4111 have 52 cars.   After the BNSF train cleared, I knew a Keokuk Junction Railway local would cross the river and head back to Mapleton. But I wanted to continue my research and returned to the downtown library. I left early, and caug...

I went to Adams Street Yard this afternoon as usual, but Union Pacific train MPECL was delayed for about two hours. A southbound coal train had to clear Peoria Junction first. Given the two-hour delay, I suspect MPECL's crew and/or the Peoria Subdivision dispatcher decided it best to wait in case they stalled on the double track on account of a heavier consist and wet rails. The video at the link below shows MPECL rolling across W. Farmington Road. UP 2733 has 53 cars, including a block of ten boxcars from the Keokuk Junction Railway, followed by a block of 18 empty asphalt tank cars from the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad. - David P. Jordan