Adding to Steves comment about the test to convert the
mainline from Aurora- Galesburg to single track while EHH,
was Supt of the combined Chgo and Aurora Div.
I seem to recall two distinct stories around the single
tracking accomplished by blocking the CTC machine rather
than actually ripping up track.
There was a business special, forgot long ago if it was
full of major customers or the board of directors. But at
any point it came into Galesburg eastbound, came to a halt
and sat and sat and sat. Some exempt mgmt person on the
train asked the DS over the radio what the hold up was, he
was informed that the train he was on stood ten times out
behind nine freight trains in front of it.
The second story was that the FRA did a traffic review and
determined that the tonnage being run across the Aurora to
Galesburg single track exceeded the amount allowed for the
tie spacing and either more ties were required or traffic
had to go elsewhere.
It is my understanding that shortly after these events EHH
moved on to the IC .
Of course I am just passing on second hand info. That I
heard.
Leo