I just completed reading a thick file concerning the setting of the division of work responsibility for yard crews and road crews between the various union committees on the Aurora Division and management. Pretty tedious read except for the tidbits that
jump out every once in awhile. Two points at Eola, in particular, were of special interest.
Mgmt. proposed that the general switching limits east of Eola be at the coal chute at East Eola. The joint union committee suggested the EJ&E xing.
What's of special note to me is that this confirms beyond argument that there was a coal chute just west of the EJ & E xing on the mainline. I make this point because I have had guys argue With me that there never was such a facility(even during a presentation).
Secondly that the J did indeed cross the Q at grade. If your familiar with the area you know Eola is built on a boggy area. The J would have had a hard pull in either direction.
There's still a marshy area that is now a DuPage County Preserve.
Leo Phillipp