Peoria Station

Despite the heat and humidity, I went out this morning after learning an an Iowa Interstate ZENO-E train was due into Peoria. At San Koty (a few miles north of Peoria), I made a right from Rt. 29 across the track and parked by the Firefighter training center with seconds to spare before I heard the horn. The train had a block of manifest cars on the head end. I can confirm that there were 23 as they were set out at the North Limit Yard, and the empty coil steel car was last. Sometime in early afternoon, the rest of the train crossed the river and left it on Main 2 at Hilliards, breaking it at the elevator access road crossing.  CAPTION: Iowa Interstate train ZENO-E (Grain, Atlantic IA to Peoria IL) rolls by San Koty, Illinois a few miles from the North Limit Yard in Peoria, Illinois, where 23 manifest cars on the head end were set out. The 111 grain loads will go to the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad's Pekin double track main. IAIS 501 and IAIS 506 have 134 cars. In mid-afternoon,...

I learned that an Iowa Interstate PESI was at East Peoria this morning, and later was able to shoot video of it at San Koty, a few miles out of the North Limit Yard. This train of 92 cars may have had only ten loads. The last six cars of the second block of covered hoppers were loaded. Two denatured alcohol (UN 1987), an iron oxide load (CIGX gondola) and a coil steel load (NS coil care car) were the others. NOTE: IAIS 152 was coupled to a PEDAV (potash empties) this morning and afternoon, but I saw no sign of a crew, probably tomorrow.  CAPTION: Iowa Interstate Railroad Ltd manifest PESI (Peoria IL to Silvis IL) rolls along home rails at San Koty, Illinois late-morning Sunday, August 30, 2026. IAIS 503 has 92 cars. Incobrasa Industries' massive expansion at Gilman, and purchase of the American Milling Co. feed mill and barge dock at Crescent (Pekin) has created sufficient volume for the TP&W to run East Peoria-Powerton turns for direct interchange with the Illinois & Midl...

I missed SIPE coming in this morning, but captured PESI's departure in the afternoon.    SIPE arrived with three locomotives, but 153 was left on the Creve Coeur Team Track for the next ZENOW, which Canadian National brought up this morning. I also noticed that the North Limit Yard was full, so this morning's SIPE may have set out most or all of its cars there and ran engine light to East Peoria.    As noted in the caption below, today's PESI had a good variety of traffic/rolling stock. The coiled wire rod loads are from Liberty Steel & Wire Co's Bartonville mill. These movements seem to be occasional, but only started after Liberty reopened after idling the plant in 2024-2025. I believe they go east from Chicago on CSX.    The coil steel load was received from Norfolk Southern and is enroute to a transload at Altoona, Iowa.   The five Incobrasa covered hoppers are empty. Usually, TP&W hands off 20 to 25 at a time for loading in central...

I knew it was coming, so I went after it.    First three covered hoppers were loads, gondola empty, four more covered hoppers loaded, another empty gondola, three more loaded covered hoppers, a tank car that was loaded (probably animal fat for TP&W). The first five of the last ten - all covered hoppers - were loaded. The empty gondolas are likely in steel billet service, returning to Norfolk Southern.  CAPTION: Iowa Interstate Railroad manifest SIPE (Silvis IL to Peoria IL) rolls by the Illinois Valley Yacht Club entrance early evening Saturday, April 4, 2026. Shortly, IAIS 517 dropped its 23 cars in the North Limit Yard. Plan was to proceed engine lite across the river to Wesley and grab potash empties after which it will depart as PEDAV (Peoria IL to Davenport IA).   - David P. Jordan

Last month, I missed the first of these grain trains moving empty north and loaded south. This month, I missed the northbound empties but today I caught the loads being moved out of Pekin by CN. These trains are co-loaded at Malcom and Kellogg, Iowa on the Iowa Interstate Railroad for a port in the New Orleans area for export.  CAPTION: An encounter with a Canadian National Railway grain extra for me on Sunday, February 15, 2026 began with a light engine movement by the old Chicago & Illinois & Midland Railway depot at IC Junction in Pekin, Illinois. IC 1028 and CN 2315 then coupled to 108 cars left early Saturday morning by the Iowa Interstate Railroad on the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad's Main 2. Train is shown briefly at N. 3rd Street and Washington Street and then the whole train races across 5th Street near South Pekin.   After catching the CN power moving engine lite, it seemed odd that they sat for awhile between Ann Eliza and N. 2nd streets. Turns out, they ...

Like last Friday, I took a half day off work with the intent of capturing some local Union Pacific action - believe it or not - for the first time in 2026! Unlike last Friday, I succeeded, but barely. On my way to Peoria I knew Union Pacific's MPECL had already left Adams Street Yard (call time seems to be getting earlier), so I intended to set up and wait at W. Farmington Road. But when I turned left from the Harmon Highway/Airport Road connector onto Kickapoo Creek Road, I saw the train's end in the distance! I quickly turned around and hightailed it up I-474 and decided it safe to go to Fox Road, off Rt. 91. Turns out, I could probably have beat it to the top of Pioneer Hill (but why take the chance?). Lighting was poor, but at least I got it.  CAPTION: Union Pacific train MPECL (Manifest, Peoria IL to Clinton IA) races across Fox Road just north of Peoria, Illinois early-afternoon Friday, February 13, 2026. UP 5962 and UP 8215 have 30 cars. I knew Norfolk Southern (ano...

Despite this morning's cold, I headed into town and then north because I knew Iowa Interstate was running an SIPE. I encountered it just north of Mossville. Short train but good variety. Although strangely there was no long block of "mash" loads (and/or gluten feed pellets, which should be moving this time of year), scattered ADM/leaser covered hoppers probably contain corn germ and/or other corn processing by-products. The lone IAIS covered hopper could contain "organic grain" (non-GMO) for an NS destination. Two gondolas on the rear are iron oxide empties for TP&W. All five scenes shot from the comfort of my car...   CAPTION: Iowa Interstate Railroad Ltd. manifest SIPE (Silvis IL to Peoria IL) rolls by Mossville, San Koty and Peoria Heights, Illinois on home rails, and at Peoria twice on the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad's Uptown Sub midday Saturday, January 24, 2026. IAIS 509 has 26 cars.   When I parked at the old NE Adams Street McDonald's...

I took a floating holiday today in hopes of chasing the Keokuk Junction Railway local west from Mapleton. I learned that the eatbound local ran on Thursday, so I assumed that an East Peoria turn would run on Friday. I never did find it, though I went as far as Cuba. Incidentally, two vehicles were at the Kolbe office. I did notice a hi-rail truck on the main near the Hollis Pass west switch. Perhaps Friday's East Peoria turn ran as far west as possible and the crew just left it somewhere west of Cuba? There is evidence of considerable crosstie replacement, as well as ballast and surfacing east of Canton. Perhaps track speeds have been raised on some sections? the stretch between Canton and Cuba, however, is still 10mph territory.    The day wasn't a dud. I returned to Peoria in time to capture a Tazewell & Peoria Railroad Industry Job crossing the river enroute to the North Limit Yard. Per radio chatter, the crew was going to switch BioUrja's alcohol tracks first. La...

Driving eastbound on Interstate 74 just before the bridge, I just happened to see the SW-10 and a few flat cars, so I exited onto Riverfront Drive and on the Bob Michel Bridge back across the river. Grant Street had too much snow, so I opted to wait at Alexander Avenue while the crew spotted two or three empty flat cars into Komatsu and pulled two truck chassis loads.   After pulling across Alexander Avenue, the crew left the train on the main and ladder track in the North Limit Yard, used the pocket to runaround the train and then pulled back south across Alexander Avenue. My hands were hurting (despite wearing gloves), so I decided to warm them up instead of sticking around to shoot switching operations at PMP Fermentation Products.    This will be the train that switches Viridis Chemical between BioUrja Renewables LLC and the West Yard, if and when rail facilities are built.  CAPTION: A Tazewell & Peoria Railroad local pulls northbound across Alexander ...

Before I left home this morning for the downtown library, I learned that an Iowa Interstate manifest was making its way from Bureau Junction to Peoria. The train had apparently been planned for Thursday evening, and again on Friday evening, but finally made it Saturday morning. That delay enabled a daylight chase of not only SIPE but also counterpart PESI. Other than five empty tank cars, a CIGX gondola is the only notable other than loaded and empty covered hoppers. That gondola is empty likely last contained iron oxide, and is returning to Waelz Sustainable Products at Clymers, Indiana on the TP&W.    CAPTION: Iowa Interstate manifest SIPE (Silvis IL to Peoria IL) rolls along the Peoria Subdivision late morning Saturday, October 4, 2025. Scenes of the whole train at three locations - San Koty on IAIS's Peoria Sub, entering the North Limit Yard on the Tazewell & Peoria RR and in downtown Peoria. IAIS 513 and IAIS 703 had NS 7111 and 93 cars. After the Iowa Inter...

I left home earlier than usual Saturday morning. It was fortunate that I did because I came across BNSF's M-GALPEI, which was a day late. A contractor is replacing cross ties on the north end of the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad's East Peoria Yard so the BNSF train pulled down the Pekin double track at Wesley, shoved along Wesley 8 and into yard track A-39. I did not stick around to see if they made up M-PEIGAL and departed but assume that they did.  CAPTION: BNSF Railway train M-GALPEI (Manifest, Galesburg IL to Peoria IL) enters Tazewell & Peoria Railroad property at Darst Street in Peoria, Illinois Saturday morning, September 20, 2025. BNSF 7586 and BNSF 7705 have 43 cars. Shortly after the BNSF train crossed the river, the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad's "Lead 2" job dragged 40 cars that were left by the Iowa Interstate at the North Limit Yard (a common practice with East Peoria is full). It too had to pull down the double track main and shove into ...

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...

I had just parked at the downtown library when I heard the horn, so I got back in my car and investigated. I was surprised to see IMRR 2108 pulled an empty steel coil car and two tank cars. All three had apparently been left at the Limit Yard by a recent Iowa Interstate train.    The TZPR crew had already switched BioUrja's Alcohol Tracks, so it was only a matter of adding the three cars to 17 in the West Yard before crossing the river into East Peoria. But first, they had to wait for a BNSF coal train to cross the river and head toward Crescent Yard.    I've never seen them do it, but I understand ballast cars are loaded on the main between South and Cass streets in Peoria (the last scene in the video). Years ago, probably in 2002, I watched a P&PU switcher with three ballast cars wait at the ADM South Yard while ballast was being loaded. Apparently, the present location was determined sometime after the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad began leasing P&PU...

This morning, I learned that the Iowa Interstate was running an SIPE and PESI today, with the former already enroute. So I waited until it was closer to my area and was able to intercept after it had gone through Chillicothe. Short train, but with a little variety, including empty dry bulk fertilizer cars for TZPR (or TP&W) and a scrap metal load that is presumably consigned to Liberty Steel & Wire Co. CAPTION: Iowa Interstate Railroad Ltd. manifest SIPE (Silvis IL to Peoria IL) is shown late-morning to early-afternoon Saturday, May 24, 2025. Scenes are at Mossville and San Koty on the Peoria Sub, then at the North Limit Yard, Alexander Street and South Street on the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad's Uptown Division. IAIS 150 and IAIS 151 have 33 cars.   After getting back into Peoria, radio chatter indicated that BNSF's M-PEIGAL was building a train in the East Peoria Yard, and that it and TZPR's Lead 2 had to look out for the Iowa Interstate train. Sure enough...

I checked the Creve Coeur Team Track this afternoon after work and noticed IAIS 150 and IAIS 153 sitting with no sign of a crew. So I spent some time at the downtown library, intending to return and check for activity. When I left the library at the usual time, I heard the TZPR St. Albans Dispatcher give IAIS 150 permission from the West Lead at East Peoria to the North Limit Yard.  CAPTION: Iowa Interstate manifest PESI (Peoria IL to Silvis IL) is shown several times as rolls along the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad in Peoria, Illinois early-evening Thursday, April 10, 2025. IAIS 150 and IAIS 153 have 81 cars. Locations are the Illinois River Bridge, Chicago Street, Rock Island's old (1900) and new (1967) depots and the whole train at Fairholm Avenue.   - David P. Jordan

I learned that Iowa Interstate brought in an SIPE in the pre-dawn hours Sunday, so the crew would not be rested to return on PESI until mid-afternoon. A pair of SD38-2s indicate SIPE may have been a heavy train, but PESI left with just eleven cars.  CAPTION: Iowa Interstate manifest PESI (Peoria IL to Silvis IL) is shown mid- to late-afternoon Sunday, February 2, 2025 shortly after crossing the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad's Illinois River Bridge. Subsequently, we see it at the West Yard, the new (1967) Rock Island depot and the North Limit Yard. The final scene at San Koty is on home rails. IAIS 153 and IAIS 150 have eleven cars. - David P. Jordan

I left work for the downtown library as usual this afternoon, but knew to check on the Iowa Interstate's PESI. The carrier brought SIPE into town late Sunday evening on SD38-2s 150 and 151 so I figured PESI would leave this afternoon.  I was correct. But minutes after the Iowa Interstate crew received permission to depart the West Lead for the North Limit Yard, the Keokuk Junction Railway's local (unofficially the "East Peoria Turn") asked for permission to run from Iowa Junction to East Peoria. I knew I should get the KJRY first.  Looks like most of the train was loaded with corn from Sciota. The two ALAB covered hoppers might contain corn germ for Norfolk Southern or corn screenings for Alto ICP at Pekin.  CAPTION: The Keokuk Junction Railway's East Peoria Turn is shown in Peoria, Illinois rolling along the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad toward the Illinois River Bridge and East Peoria mid-afternoon Monday, January 13, 2025. LTEX 3836, PREX 2003 and LTEX 3010...

Run-through IAIS power on P&PU/TZPR dates to the late-1980s. In fact, a first, vague memory of IAIS power was in downtown Peoria in 1989. I saw a geep on the riverfront line from one of the intersections at SW Washington Street. I probably knew about the IAIS already due to the June 1989 "Regionals in Review" TRAINS article. CAPTION: A Tazewell & Peoria Railroad crew runs a train of potash empties through Peoria, Illinois early afternoon Saturday, December 28, 2024. Train came out of Mosaic Crop Nutrition LLC south of Bartonville and was handed off to the Iowa Interstate Railroad at the North Limit Yard. Shown between S. Darst Street and Krause Avenue, IAIS 707 and IAIS 718 have 105 cars.    The usual Friday run of MPECL was annulled, probably due to crew issues. It seems that either the LPD01 local crew or MPECL's crew assisted with CGMBV's attack up Pioneer Hill. After that, an empty grain from for TP&W moved from Edelstein to the Low Line and park...