Reading Steam in Color by J. F. Plant has a map on page 68 showing the Main Line, the Lebanon Valley Branch, the W & N and the Belt Line east (compass south) of Tulpehocken Creek.

The W & N segment between Cumru Junction and Birdsboro appears to offer some route options. An eastbound could use the Belt Line to join the Main Line at Klapperthal Junction or continue on the W & N to cross the bridge at Birdsboro to join the Main Line. Which of these was used more frequently?

Because westbounds had a similar option, this created an opportunity for "directional routing" where trains used one side of the Schuylkill for one direction and the other side for the other direction. Did Reading ever practice this kind of "directional routing?"

The single-track from Cumru to Birdsboro was signaled in the eastbound direction only. It was not used as a through route in the modern, Reading era. Any westbound move would have required train orders and authorization to run against the current of traffic.

Thanks for the information. If I understand correctly, trains running from Birdsboro to Reading would generally use the Main Line. I would take this to mean that many of the Reading-bound W&N movements and most of the loaded trains from Grace Mine would use the Main Line north of Birdsboro.

Is it correct to say the Cumru-Birdsboro line would be used mostly by Wilmington-bound W&N trains?

Actually, no. The Reading Belt was mostly used to allow westbounds to enter the Reading Belt at Klapperthal, or to hold eastbounds to follow passenger runs to Philly. To the best of my knowledge the W&N trains all ran down the mainline to W&N Junction.

In the new John Pechulis Media video "Anthracite Railroads in the 1970s Vol 1" which focuses on the W&N branch, it shows several shots of Reading-Wilmington trains on the Main Line between Reading and Birdsboro, confirming Bill's thought. My understanding is that the "turkey path" between Cumru and Birdsboro was used primarily for local work and possibly in a pinch as a detour route as needed, not a main freight artery...

"Turkey Path" is a fine-sounding name. It is enlightening to get explanations for these segments of track to the south of Reading. Use of the well-constructed and well-situated Main Line as the primary track for traffic in both directions makes a lot of sense.

[Note to self: buy John Pechulis Media video "Anthracite Railroads in the 1970s Vol 1" ASAP}