Peoria Station

Three tank cars on rail siding at Canton, Illinois April 11 represent new business for the Keokuk Junction Railway.

In late March, tank cars were observed on the Keokuk Junction Railway siding in Canton. Since these cars lack haz-mat placards, nothing dangerous is being handled at this site. Bulk liquid product is simply transloaded from tank trucks via a hose (which can be barely seen in the distance between the rail siding and main track).

Riverland BioFuels LLC, which operates a 37-million-gallon-a-year ethanol plant a few miles south of Canton is using the KJRY to  ship corn condensed distillers solubles, also known as ”steepwater,” which is commonly used as liquid cattle feed.

The Keokuk Junction Railway would like to serve the Riverland BioFuels plant directly, but opposition by AmerenCILCO to KJRY’s plan to lease trackage needed to serve the plant has prevented them from doing so. There may be light at the end of the tunnel, however, as it has been reported that the parties have modified their positions and KJRY purchase of trackage needed to reach Riverland BioFuels may happen soon (subject to STB approval, of course).

Other Canton area businesses, Hitchcock Scrap Yard and United Paving (now Spoon River Asphalt), have expressed interest in rail service if KJRY can acquire the trackage needed to serve them.

- David P. Jordan