Keokuk Junction Railway: Route, Roster, History

Published: January 11, 2025

The Keokuk Junction Railway (KJRY) is a short line operating almost entirely in the state of Illinois. However, the railroad initially began in 1980, utilizing the former Rock Island's yard in Keokuk, Iowa. Since then the short line has grown exponentially and now operates more than 120 miles across west-central Illinois.

Its operations are a vital component of the regional transportation infrastructure, handling freight shipments and connecting various communities with larger national rail networks.

Between 1980-1996 it was privately owned until it was acquired by Pioneer Railcorp. It remained a subsidiary of this short line conglomerate until 2019 when Pioneer was purchased by Patriot Rail.

Keokuk Junction's famous FP9As #1752 and #1750, lettered as the "Peoria & Western," are traveling through Mapleton, Illinois and headed to Peoria with interchange traffic on August 23, 2008. This particular segment is ex-TP&W trackage. Doug Kroll photo.

History

Incorporated in 1980, the current company was originally known as the Keokuk Northern Real Estate Company, established in May of that year. Its initial purpose was to acquire 4.5 miles of the recently liquidated Rock Island's yard tracks in Keokuk, Iowa. By September, 1981, KJRY had launched service. One of its major customers here was the Roquette America corn-processing plant.

Fast forward to December 1986; the railroad rapidly expanded by purchasing a 28-mile segment of the former Toledo, Peoria & Western between Keokuk and La Harpe, Illinois.

In March, 1996 Pioneer Railcorp acquired the Keokuk Junction, providing greater resources and stability into the railroad's operations.

Pioneer was later acquired by Patriot Rail in 2019. Most of the short line's growth occurred during the 2000s. In February 2005, they bought more of the ex-TP&W by acquiring 76 miles of the railroad's main line between La Harpe and Peoria, Illinois.

In December 2011, the Keokuk added another 12.1 miles between La Harpe and Lomax, Illinois, along with obtaining trackage rights between Lomax and Fort Madison, Iowa.

Operations

The operational focus of the Keokuk Junction lies in its role as a freight carrier. Despite being a short-line railroad, KJRY plays a critical role in facilitating transport and logistics solutions across its service area.

Typical freight consists of agricultural products, commodities significant to rural Midwestern economies, such as corn and soybeans, as well as other goods like chemicals, steel, corn syrup, minerals, fertilizer, and plastics.

The railroad interchanges with BNSF at Keokuk and Peoria; Union Pacific and Sommer, Illinois; and UP/BNSF/Nofolk Southern/Canadian National at Peoria.

An interesting aspect of KJRY's operational model is that it exemplifies the efficiency essential to short-line railroads. By maintaining lower overhead costs and focusing on personalized customer service, the railway fosters strong relationships with its clients.

Short-line railroads often offer more flexible and responsive services compared to their larger counterparts, something that is evident in KJRY's customer relations and operational practices.

FP9As

Among railfans, the short line was famous for operating a group of former Canadian National FP9s into the 2010s; these included Canadian National FP9A #1750 and #1752, along with F9B #1761.

The pair of A units entered service in 2006 while the B unit followed in 2009. They were acquired by Pioneer Railcorp's founder, Guy L. Brenkman, who loved cab units. They operated for over a decade and were finally retired on June 5, 2019.

Diesel Roster

Road Number	Model Type	Builder	Serial Number	Completion Date	Notes
20	S2	Alco	69524	6/1941	Renumbered from 205; built as Manufacturers Railway 205
102	RS3m	Alco	80243	3/1953	ex-Conrail RS3m 9931; built as Jersey Central RS3 1549
104	VO1000	Baldwin	71740	4/1945	ex-Pacific Lumber 104; built as U.S. Army V1800
105	VO1000	BLW	71985	2/1945	ex-Pacific Lumber 105; built as US Navy 5
252	HE15	EMD	14301	3/1951	ex-C&NW GP7/HE15 4252; built as C&NW GP7 1534
253	HE15	EMD	16865	7/1952	ex-C&NW GP7/HE15 4253; built as C&NW GP7 1596
405	NW2	EMD	6651	6/1949	Built as Peoria & Pekin Union 405
469	GP7	EMD	17728	3/1953	Renumbered 806; ex-ICG 7969; built as IC 8969
471	GP8	EMD	17730	3/1953	ex-Iowa Interstate 71; ex-ICG GP8 7971; built as IC GP7 8971
488	CF7	Clebourne Shops (AT&SF)	17949 (4/1953)	12/1974	Renumbered from 2488; ex-Santa Fe CF7 2488; built as Santa Fe F7A 337L
806	GP8	EMD	17728	3/1953	ex-Iowa Interstate 469; ex-ICG GP8 7969; built as IC GP7 8969
1064	S2	Alco	75239	6/1947	Built as CGW 10
1606	GP16	EMD	22643	10/1956	ex-CSX 1719; ex-Seaboard System GP16 4614; ex-Seaboard Coast Line GP16 1044; built as Seaboard Air Line GP9 1972
2632	CF7	Clebourne Shops (AT&SF)	17312 (10/1952)	12/1971	ex-Santa Fe CF7 2632; built as Santa Fe F7A 47L
3010	GP40-2	EMD	34145	12/1968	Leased from LTEX. ex-Soo 2057; built as Milwaukee Road 2057

Keokuk Junction GP7m #252, rebuilt with a CAT engine by this date from previous owner Chicago & North Western, is seen here along with CF7 #488 in La Harpe, Illinois on September 9, 1993. Doug Kroll photo.

Geographical Footprint

Overall, the Keokuk Junction remains an exemplar of short line railroads' strategic importance in the American Midwest, providing robust services linking local communities to a wider economic fabric while navigating the challenges typical of contemporary rail industry landscapes.