Daily Archives: August 12, 2005

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VOP to become BAS

A sign out in front of the former Vonachen’s Old Place (VOP) says they are now hiring wait staff for “Bud’s Aged Steaks.” This appears to be the new restaurant name. I talked to a former employee recently who told me they are making the restaurant more upscale and will be serving dinner only.

I’ll withhold judgement on “Bud’s” until I see the completed transformation and have eaten there once. But I already miss VOP’s omelettes, lunches, and casual dining atmosphere. It was a great place to take visitors to Peoria for lunch because of its unique decor and delicious food. It was a great place to take the family after church or out for dinner because the kids just loved sitting in the train car or watching the model train that ran above the kitchen entrance. And, it was even a fun place to go for a quiet, romantic evening because you could eat in of those little booths on the train car and have some privacy.

But, I guess they weren’t making any money with that setup, so we’ll see how well Bud’s does with its updated decor and brand new wait staff.

Now, if they want to be really progressive, they’ll get rid of that silly rail car and turn it into a walking trail. (Sorry, couldn’t resist!)

Kellar Branch

STB yet to give final say on Kellar Branch service

The Journal Star is giddy this morning about the Surface Transportation Board ruling. But, as usual, they assume facts not in evidence. For instance:

Wednesday the Surface Transportation Board, the federal agency that settles railroad disputes, ruled that Pioneer Railcorp must get off the Kellar Branch so the cities that own it can turn it into a hiking and biking trail.

While the STB did in fact rule that Pioneer (PIRY) must get off the Kellar Branch, it wasn’t so the cities that own it can turn it into a hiking and biking trail. It was so that the cities’ replacement carrier, Central Illinois Railway (CIRY), could provide the same service that PIRY was providing. All this ruling did was replace PIRY with CIRY. This is crucial to understanding the ruling.

And the STB hasn’t had its final say on turning the branch into a trail yet: “Moreover, the Cities’ contract with CIRY and the need for CIRY to seek our authority before service on this line can cease assures that granting the Cities’ application will not result in a diminution of service that has a serious adverse impact on shippers or the community.” (emphasis added)

That means that, even though “the park district says it could start pulling up the tracks this fall,” there’s another STB ruling to be made before that can happen — CIRY has to get STB approval to cease servicing the Kellar Branch.