Rich,
Hope this helps...................
I can't speak directly for how it operated under the Q as I didnt start until '73. But I dont think the business changed under BN. Feeders generally moved in fall and early winter off the high plains to feed lots and farms in the east to be fattened. They could come east on GN and NP to the Twin Cities or the Q to Galesburg and then North to Savanna if headed for a final destination on the C&I. At Savanna I witnessed feeders arriving in trains from the North being both spotted at the Savanna stock yard with trucks backing up to the pens and also cars of stock coming off the eastbounders and being placed in the eastbound local for final spotting at points on the C&I. I spotted cars at both Polo and Milledgeville on the eastbound local before the RR got out of the business. We were still handling a small but steady business of feeders into the Montgomery yards for the brokers there.
This would be the general pattern for any stock or shipment. Get it as close to destination on the through train and then give it to the local for delivery.
From what the old timers told me the local rail handled Chicago stock yard business pattern was to spot mtys on the westbound local. Then depending on volume either the eastbound local or a stock extra picked them up for movement to Chicago. Checking the old ETTs notations shows a stock pick up extra leaving Galesburg every Monday,Weds and Thurs to p/u stock between GT and Mendota as late as ETT #31 dated 9/24/50
The picture of the westbound load of stock at Mendota in last years BRHS calendar is the one I'd really like to research to learn more about.
Leo