Difference between revisions of "Keokuk Junction Railway"

Revision as of 05:29, 15 November 2019

• ARR Reporting Marks - KJRY & PREX.
• Official Website

Overview

The Keokuk Junction Railway was acquired by Pioneer Railcorp in 1996. The railroad started operations in August 1981 as a terminal switching outfit operating former Rock Island trackage within the city of Keokuk Iowa. In 1986, KJ purchased the former TP&W from Keokuk to Laharpe, IL. In 2002, the railroad acquired the former TP&W line from Laharpe to Lomax and the associated trackage rights from Lomax to Fort Madison, IA on the former ATSF. In 2004, KJ's feeder line application with the Surface Transportation Board was approved, and in 2005, they took possession of the 76 miles of track between Sommer and Laharpe.

The mainline is currently 114 miles long, running between Keokuk, Iowa and Hollis, IL (Mapleton) (trackage rights from Hollis to Iowa Junction on UPRR and Iowa Junction to East Peoria, Il on TZPR) with a branch running northwest from Laharpe, Illinois to Lomax, Il (trackage rights from Lomax to Fort Madison on BNSF) and interchanges with BNSF at Keokuk, IA; Union Pacific at Fort Madison, IA, and Collier Yard, Peoria, IL(also interchanges with Toledo Peoria & Western here); Norfolk Southern, Canadian National, Iowa Interstate, Illinois Midland, and Tazewell & Peoria Railroad at TZPR's East Peoria yard. Their main office and western base of operations is located in Keokuk, Ia; with the eastern base of operations at Kolbe Station (Mapleton), Il.

The lines trackage is the former Toledo, Peoria, & Western western end aside from the trackage in Keokuk itself, which is largely ex- Rock Island. Prior to the KJRy, the line was operated the Toledo Peoria & Western (1st), Atchison, Topeka, & Santa Fe, Toledo, Peoria, & Western (2nd), SF&L (A&K railroad materials), and Toledo, Peoria, & Western (never operated over it).

Operations

Operations of the line include a 24 hour a day, 365 days a year switch crew in Keokuk proper, and road trains as needed. The line is operated as two separate divisions, the Keokuk division running Keokuk - Good Hope, IL and the Kolbe division, running from Good Hope - Peoria. Keokuk division has a 24 hour switch job working out of Twin Rivers Yard ("TR"), and switching KJ's largest shipper, Roquette America's corn syrup plant. (This job is 365 days a year) Keokuk division will also originate "Laharpe turns" running from Keokuk to KJRy's Laharpe Shops, and working customers along the way. This crew will also work to Good Hope to swap cars with the Kolbe train. The Kolbe division operates from Good Hope to Kolbe and Peoria, the crews can also run through to Laharpe as needed. The Kolbe division usually can be found moving storage cars, switching the RIP track at Kolbe, or running to Good Hope to swap trains with the Laharpe turn. BNSF drops off and picks up cars at the Keokuk Union Depot yard (KUD yard). Union Pacific and TP&W's preferred interchange is Collier Yard, though they can also interchange at Sommer (the official interchange, and the end of KJRY ownership). All other interchange is conducted at TZPR's East Peoria facilities.

Train speeds are 10 mph max except between Rawalts and Kolbe, 20 mph max, and Smithfield to the Spoon River, also 20 mph.

KJRY Locomotive Roster

Radio Frequencies

Also can be heard on TZPR and BNSF frequencies, getting permission over BNSF at Keokuk and Bushnell, and while on TZPR trackage in Peoria and East Peoria.

Timetable

Customer List

From West to East.
ADM Milling - Keokuk, IA (accessed via reciprocal switching agreement over BNSF, inactive)
Henniges Automotive Iowa Inc. - Keokuk, IA (accessed via reciprocal switching agreement over BNSF, inactive)
Roquette America wet corn mill - Keokuk, IA (corn syrup and by-products)
Amsted Rail, Griffin Wheel Div. - Keokuk, IA
W. L. Miller quarry - Hamilton, IL
Central Iron & Metals scrapyard - Tabers, IL
Elevator - Elvaston, IL (inactive)
Crop Production Services - McCall, IL (liquid and dry fertilizer)
Colusa Elevator Co. - Burnside, IL
Roquette America dba LaHarpe Elevator - Laharpe, IL
Roquette America dba Blandinsville Elevator - Blandinsville, IL
Farmers Elevator of Sciota - Scotia, IL
ADM dog food plant - Bushnell, IL
Dynergy Duck Creek Power Plant - Rawalts, IL (inactive)

Subsidiaries

Keokuk Junction Railway is the parent company of Keokuk Union Depot Company, which owns the KUD yard (the former passenger tracks), and the land under the Keokuk Union Depot building, leased to the city of Keokuk, IA for 99 years. The depot building itself was sold to the city of Keokuk at the time the land was leased

Railfanning Notes

KJRY is a railfan friendly railroad with numerous photo opportunities. The crews are nice, and don't mind railfans. It is highly unlikely that a photographer will be harassed, however that ends when people are unsafe and/or trespass. The railroad does report trespassers to the appropriate authorities, and does not like people taking risks to get a photo. Please respect the railroad, so they continue to be friendly to fans.

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