ProTrak Switchlists (Train Journal)
In these instructions “switchlist” means the train consist or train journal. You can change the name of this instruction at “Adminstration/Terminology”. For the purpose of this instruction, “switchlist” is used herein.
How to use the switchlist (train journal): 
Look at the car number and initials;
the SPOT column says where the car is;
the NxtLoc column says where to put the car.
Some more about using a switchlist (train journal): 
The switchlist is a list of cars in the train, and what to do with them. It also includes instructions about train handling and routing.
1. There is one line for each car.
2. The cars are listed on the switchlist in the same order as the cars stand in the train.
3. There are columns that describe the car, where it is, where it is going, and restrictions.
4. There may be two listing of cars.
- “Cars in train”. This listing is for cars in the train when you leave the yard where the switchlist was printed. This list includes cars you set out and car you take to the next destination.
- “Cars to Pickup”. If there are cars to be picked up there is a second list after this heading. These cars are listed by the order of work. You place them in the train as per other instructions, but generally towards the middle of the train.
What the Columns tell you
A) The first columns identify the car
- by initials and number
- by details: kind, whether empty or loaded, length
B) The “Consignee” column provides guidance as to what to do with a car.
- a customer name, or
- yard to yard
- return to agent at a later station
C) The two spots, SPOT and NxtLoc, list
- where the car now “SPOT” (unless you changed it)
- what to do with the car “NxtLoc” (next location)
1. Under “SPOT”, where the car is:
- If the SPOT is the train symbol, the car is in the train.
- If the SPOT is a staging track, the car is in the train about to leave that staging track.
- If the SPOT is a customer siding number, the car is at that location and you are expected to pickup that car at that customer. The “Consignee” will be this customer.                                  
- If the SPOT is a yard siding number (“y” or “Yd”), the car is in that yard and you are expected to pick up that car at that yard.
Summary:
- Yard or customer, pick up car
- Otherwise car is in train.
2. Under “NxtLoc”, for what to do with a car:
- If the NxtLoc is a customer, set off the car. The “Consignee” will be this customer.
- If the NxtLoc is a yard (“y” or “Yd”), get the outbound switchlist (the next switchlist for this train). If the car is not listed, set off the car at that yard. Generally at a yard you will arrive on an arrival track and the local yardmaster will provide instruction.
- If the NxtLoc is a staging track the car goes into the staging track with this train.
Summary:
- Yard or customer, set off car.
- Otherwise car stays in train.
3. The “Consignee” column gives guidance about where the car is going. A car will have one of four routings:
1. If the car is going to from one yard to the next yard for setoff at the next yard, the consignee is shown as “Yard->Yard”.
2. If the car is being picked up, the customer name is shown.
3. If the car is being set off, the customer name is shown.
4. If the car is going into staging with this train, the customer name will be shown. If the customer is unknown (no data) the staging track name is shown.
Consignee What to do with car
Yard->Yard set off at NxtLoc yard
Customer name and SPOT is spot pick up car
Customer name and NxtLoc is spot set off car at customer
Staging track car is going with train into staging
Customer name and NxtLoc is staging car is going with train into staging