Villa Grove-based LSB54 local is hot and heavy on the dynamic brakes as they coast their 30ish car train downhill towards the small village of Royal, IL

At the north end of Block Siding, 1 of 3 remaining SP-painted GP60s is on the point of UP's LSB54 local. This job runs north twice a week, usually Tuesday and Friday. After going on duty at 5 AM, ... (more)

Seen near Tuscola, UP 1066, still in its Southern Pacific colors, leads the LSB54 local north towards Villa Grove. The storms had been off and on today as a front moved through the area. They sure... (more)

After being in a slight derailment with 4 other hoppers down at Cadwell on the elevator spur (bad track), the UP 1066 is good to go for use again. The local brought it back to Villa Grove yesterda... (more)

Villa Grove is a town in Central Illinois known for flooding. As much as it becomes a pain sometimes, there is really nothing our town can control about it. That’s how it has been since the town... (more)

It may be mid-teen temperatures and 20+mph winds, but that isn't stopping me from braving the cold for some pictures! With a hefty (for the local) train in tow for Cadwell, Shelbyville, etc, the U... (more)

UP 1158, with its Cotton Belt logo showing proudly on the nose, sits paired with UP 1133 on the engine lead at Villa Grove.

UP LSB54 sits backed up behind a southbound grain train and a oil train that went into emergency in Villa Grove. Leading the Local 54 is a pair of EMD GP60s, UP 1133 and 1147.

Engineer Monroe peers down of his unit for the return trip, UP 1136. In a very dense fog, the LSB54 had just returned to Villa Grove with 55 cars after a long day of work at Shelbyville and multip... (more)

While waiting for the LSB54 to arrive at the south end of Villa Grove yard, I decided to switch spots at the last minute. Bad choice. Maneuvering my way around the country roads, I see the 54 on t... (more)