I see the Journal Star has yet another editorial about the Kellar Branch today. In today’s installment, they reveal that the city, as the owner of the line, can (are you ready for this?) charge the carrier on the line a fee for using the rail road. Wow, really? You mean they can actually make … Continue reading JSEB discovers Kellar Branch could make money for the city
Here’s part of an e-mail that was forwarded to me today, apparently written by Recreational Trail Advocates leader George Burrier: We have reached a crisis situation in our trail development that requires your help now! Central Illinois Railroad (CIRY) is proceeding to rehabilitate the Kellar Branch by replacing rails and ties. It expects to be … Continue reading Shocking news: Railroad company wants to run railroad
Patrick Nichting evidently wants the city to go into the railroad business. First, some quick background: The council decided Tuesday to sign a temporary agreement with Central Illinois Railroad Company (CIRY) that would officially authorize them to traverse an 1,800-foot connecting track between the western spur and the Kellar Branch. The city is still trying … Continue reading Nichting wants to work on the railroad
Elaine Hopkins is all excited about the latest Surface Transportation Board ruling. The ruling was against Pioneer Railcorp and in favor of Central Illinois Railroad Company. Any defeat of Pioneer must be a ruling in favor of the trail in the minds of trail enthusiasts. As usual, the facts tell a different story. Hopkins said: … Continue reading Latest STB ruling confusing to some
There have apparently been a lot of behind-the-scenes dealings lately in the City’s effort to convert the Kellar Branch to a hiking trail. I recently acquired a copy of the minutes of the last Recreational Trail Advocates (RTA) meeting. Under “New Business” was this interesting info (interspersed with my comments): Bruce Brown reported that Randy … Continue reading Kellar Branch Update
Just a reminder to trail advocates: there is currently no petition pending before the Surface Transportation Board (STB) that would discontinue service on the Kellar Branch. Central Illinois Railroad withdrew that petition months ago and have never refiled. The only petition before the STB at this time is what’s called an “adverse discontinuance,” and the … Continue reading If you really want a trail, give up efforts to remove rail line
The city hired Central Illinois Railroad to provide rail service to Pioneer Park over the new $2-million western connection. But prices were so high over that connection that it was actually cheaper to truck materials than bring them in by rail, which is probably why the western spur (the portion of the rail line that … Continue reading Is Central Illinois Railroad storing hazardous material on Kellar Branch?
In the never-ending Kellar Branch saga, there’s a legal battle going on before the Surface Transportation Board (STB). When the STB reopened the adverse discontinuance proceeding (this is the one on whether Pioneer should be kicked off the Kellar Branch in favor of CIRY), it asked for further evidence from the City of Peoria, the … Continue reading Legal sparring continues before STB
As Yogi Berra would say, it’s deja vu all over again. Back in 2005, the City of Peoria got Pioneer Industrial Railway removed from the Kellar Branch and replaced with Central Illinois Railroad Company (CIRY) through a legal process known as an “adverse discontinuance request” they filed with the Surface Transportation Board (STB). But since … Continue reading Kellar Branch Update: Filings complete; parties await STB decision
Today is the deadline for the City to file information with the Surface Transportation Board in the pending adverse discontinuance proceeding. The City filed their information this morning, basically just reiterating what was said at the last council meeting and informing the STB of the 9-2 vote in favor of CIRY as the carrier. However, … Continue reading Peoria misrepresents Peoria Heights to Surface Transportation Board