Local Railroad Supports Wind Farm (Updated 2X)
For the first time in several years, wind turbine components will be arriving East Peoria by train. The Walnut Ridge Wind Farm will erect up to 106 towers this fall between in Bureau County, Illinois. The Tazewell & Peoria Railroad (TZPR) is part of the logistics chain that will see components arrive on flat cars. A large section of railroad property in East Peoria is being prepared for the project. Cranes are on site (see photo) that will be used to unload components from railcars and re-load them to specially-equipped trucks which will haul them to the construction site. In past years, the Toledo Peoria & Western Railway's East Peoria Yard has been used for this purpose. Sister TZPR's facilities must be a better fit for the latest local wind energy project, and a good indication that components will arrive on multiple carriers. UPDATE (Feb. 22) - The first wind turbine components train just departed Villa Grove, Illinois on the Union Paci...