Back in 1996 or 1997 I was at Les Jarrett's In Indianapolis as we were editing at his place some joint projects. Much of the time I was "Directing" so to speak as he was pushing the buttons on his editing system, and I had time to think about weird stuff like the early days of the C&TS. Anyway he produced a booklet of some sort or essay that he on the early months of the C&TS, with all the train movements starting with the first run, and so forth. I don't know what this was called, but I think it was by Terry Ross. It was cool reading if I remember correctly.
So, in some respects I think what you are looking for exists in a manner of speaking at least. I think Russ or someone else may have already mentioned this book, and perhaps another one.
Greg Scholl