We began the system by choosing a different color for each of the locales on the railroad. Thus all of the industries in Jim Thorpe, for example, are BROWN. Then we practiced switching typical cars into the westbound spurs, to determine the easiest sequence for the cars in a train when it gets to the town. These industries were then numbered, skipping the even numbers. The same was performed for eastbound trains, skipping the odd numbers. Thus it will be seen that westbound trains handle odd numbered tacks; this corresponds to our other prototypical rules, whereby Westbound scheduled trains are assigned odd numbers in the timetable, and use odd numbered mainline tracks.

A eastward train leaving Wilkes-Barre with cars for Jim Thorpe can have its' cars pre-"blocked," with the cars switched into the train in proper sequence for easier switching upon arrival. This is done at Wilkes-Barre because it is easier to do so in a larger yard than along the line, and thus saves time. Likewise, the cars for other towns are blocked together., in the order that the towns will be encountered. Our train would thus have cars for Fraser blocked ahead of cars for Jim Thorpe.

It was soon determined that the system could be simplified even further by controlling the number of tacks available for use. If an industry could only take 2 cars at a time, why give it more than 2 tacks? Thus, Bethlehem no longer needed a copy of the switch lists. All he needed was a box for the tacks, which were sorted according to car types. (If an industry can get more than 1 type of car, generally there are enough tacks to satisfy the PRIMARY type, to the capacity, plus 1 each for the other type thus the tacks themselves do the determination.)

As an aside, it was determined that there were more cars sent eastbound from Wilkes-Barre to Fraser and Jim Thorpe, than westbound. To balance out the traffic, it "fit" that cars for the Nesquehonning Branch (with Yellow tacks) could be handled directly between Bethlehem and Jim Thorpe on westward drills.

We also decided to eliminate the need for tacks on many of our cars, by simplifying the system further:

1. A member who wishes to placed a car on the railroad for Operation need not provide a tack-hole in this car.
2. Coal Hopper cars are always routed LOADED to Elizabethport; EMPTY to Wilkes-Barre for distribution. No tacks required.
3. Coal loads may be provided with tacks for delivery to certain industries; these tacks are not removed from the coal-loads, the loads themselves are removed from the cars.
4. Piggyback flatcars, (TOFC) are handled only at Wilkes-Barre #1, and between E'Port and Scranton. No tacks required.
5. Auto-racks, Hi-Cubes, Containor flatcars (COFC), are handled only between E'Port and Scranton. No tacks required.
6. Other types of cars with no obvious on-line destination, such as Circus, ore, militar y equipment, etc., are handled per rule 4..
7. All other freight car movements, EXCEPT AS ABOVE, start and finish routing cycles in Bethlehem. The Yardmaster there will assign waybills (tacks) to be attached as the required cars become available to him, and will route tacked cars either to drills or to other points on through trains.
8. As a general rule of thumb, freight cars will move but once per operating session or "day". Switching a car within year limits does not constitute a movement within these rules. Car already at industries may be temporarily moved to facilitate the spotting or pick-up of other cars.
9. In making up trains priority should be given to Tacked cars. Other cars (no tacks) may be added to Through Freight trains as required to fill out "tonnage ratings".
10. Arrival and Departure Tracks in the lower yard at Bethlehem, as well as at Jersey City, Wilkes-Barre and Scranton, generally will hold about 20 cars. These "tonnage ratings" should not be exceeded without permission of the Dispatcher.
11. At intermediate points, cars in Through Freights should be examined for destination tacks. Cars with tacks for that point, or for connecting drills originating at that point should be set out, if room for them exists. All other cars should be sent on to the next point.
12. If there are cars for an industry in excess of its capacity, primary types get delivered first and other types are left for the next day's delivery. Cars in a yard should be delivered before cars that may arrive that day.
13. If the capacity number of cars in not available, they obviously cannot be sent. Switching crews should make no attempt to "fill-up" spurs to capacities, with other cars.
14. Cars spotted at industries with improper or no tacks may be picked up as convenient by yard jobs or drills, or by Through Freight trains when authorized by the Dispatcher.
15. Cars with no tacks, except as provided for in Rules 1 thru 5, should be routed to Bethlehem.
16. At the close of an Operating Session, the Towerman or Yardmaster at each point should remove all tacks from properly spotted cars at industries, and return them to their box in Bethlehem in proper order, according to car type. Any empty hopper spotted ar mines should be "loaded." Any loaded hoppers at industries should be emptied. All coal loads should be returned to the rack for same, and sorted according to car type. Thus it is seen that there is a patten, or cycle, followed by all freight cars.

The train crew is not really concerned whether or not a given car is empty or loaded, they just run the train and deliver the cars to or towards their various destinations. Their prime concern tis to get to the end of their run in the shortest time, so they can get back home. A yardmaster or towerman will call a crew for a drill or a yard job, to perform the required work, and let the dispatcher know where the trains are, as they arrive and depart. Generally the yard jobs make up trains, blocking the cars as applicable, and then put a caboose on the rear to indicate its readiness to depart. In the meantime, other people are making up passenger trains, turning and servicing engines, and running other trains, all in compliance with the Rulebook. And each one experiences Prototypical Operation on his own small scale.