Bloomer Line (Illinois) activity?

[beachbum]

Lately I've been driving through Gibson City, IL on trips to Champaign. I've caught some activity on the BLOL around the Solae plant, but I've never seen anything north of Sibley aside from what look to be cars in storage.

Does the BLOL do anything these days on the Colfax and / or Kempton segments? Any interchange traffic with the TPW?

Thanks!

 

[Roscoe P. Coaltrain]

My guess is parts of that line are seasonal (grain), so car storage may be common in the off-season. Kind of like the K&BS.

It is one of the less documented shortlines, what with their CB&Q inspired paint scheme. And that is a shame.

 

[ECIRailfan]

I live in the area. The Bloomer is a seasonal line operated by Alliance Grain, so it mainly carries grain, as the name suggests. However, it does carry potash and some plastic at times. It has 5 engines, of which one is a switcher. The rolling stock is varied, as they have no permanent stock of their own. While their are some leased cars, old NW, CNW, ADM, and NS hoppers are seen commonly. Right now, there are some work equipment on the tracks, but I do not know why. I have not found an interchange area with the TPW, as that is where I most commonly see the Bloomer. However, there is a fair deal of interchanges with the NS and UP in Gibson City.

The engines are 3 GP10s, a GP9, and the switcher I am not sure about. They also will occasionally lease an engine at times.