Peoria Station

PEORIA - The Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway will haul a wind turbine blade and nacelle train through East Peoria, tomorrow. Per WMBD Radio 1470’s Traffic One Report:

“In East Peoria…on Friday, May 1st, from 1pm to 2pm, a mile long train will travel through the city moving at a restricted 3 mph speed limit. The train will first cross at Washington Street by the Public Safety Building then continue to the crossing at Main and Camp and at Washington and Camp. Intersections could be blocked for up to an hour.”

Wind turbine blades are 130′ in length and two blades require three 89′ flat cars, one for each blade and one “spacer” car between them. I’d thought the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad’s Farm Creek through truss bridge could not accommodate these things. Apparently, it can, but the slow speeds suggest they will be a tight fit.

Tomorrow’s train is bound for the same destination as April 2’s tower section train – the Hoosierlift, located near Remington, Indiana. The Benton County Wind Farm near Earl Park, Indiana is likely the final destination for the blades and nacelles.

- David P. Jordan