Since I’ve been covering the Kellar Branch saga for several months, I can’t go on sabbatical without first reporting its predictable conclusion.
On November 21, 2005, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) made their final ruling on the Kellar Branch. Pioneer Industrial Railway (PIRY) will not be able to force a sale of the branch. It is abandoned, and now the city (or, technically, Central Illinois Railway, the city’s carrier) has been granted the right to discontinue service on it. Case closed, as far as they’re concerned.
Now there is only one thing that can stop the line from being converted to a hiking/biking trail: if Pioneer wins their suit against the city. Pioneer believes their contract with the city is still in force — that the contract never specified a termination date. But the chances of them winning that court case are pretty slim, in my opinion. It’s only a matter of time before they lose that case, and then the tracks will be removed.
And then . . .
People from all over the country will flock to Peoria to visit its beautiful trail! It will make our city the garden spot of the midwest and the envy of all other cities in Illinois! I can hear mothers and fathers in their family rooms, looking over travel literature now:
Father: “Where do you want to go this year, kids? There’s Disneyland, Busch Gardens, Silver Dollar City, Six Flags, or the Rock Island Trail in Peoria.”
Daughter: “The Rock Island Trail?! Hey, didn’t I hear on the CBS Evening News last night that they just completed a new addition that goes right through the heart of Peoria?”
Mother: “That’s right, dear. Everyone’s been talking about it. Aunt Frieda said there’s hardly a bicycle to be seen in Chicago since Peoria opened up their new trail.”
Son: “Wow! Dad, I don’t want to just go there for vacation. I want to live there!”
Father: [chuckle] “Well, son, I’ve been meaning to tell you. My boss offered me a job in Peoria. I was a little concerned about transferring there because I heard they have a lead poisoning problem, and small amounts of lead have been shown to lower children’s IQ levels. But seeing how excited you kids are about a goofy trail, it looks like your IQ is already in question, so I guess it won’t hurt to transfer there after all!”
Attention all hotels, restaurants, and retail stores: Start preparing now for the giant influx of people who will be frequenting your establishments once this trail is completed. If the Peoria Park District’s and Journal Star’s numbers are correct, it will be a regular boom town around here. Don’t be caught off-guard. Start lining up extra help now!