Quickstart

Don't want to read the whole manual? This page walks you through the shortest path from installing ModuOps to printing your first trainlist. Each step links to the page that covers it in detail. You should still read the manual later ;-)

Install ModuOps

ModuOps is free and runs on macOS, Windows and Linux. Download it from the ModuOps website home page.

Platform rollout

macOS ships first. Linux is next (in progress) and Windows is last.

• macOS: open the downloaded .dmg and drag ModuOps into your Applications folder. The same download works on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.
• Windows: run the installer. You can choose where ModuOps is installed, and it adds Desktop and Start Menu shortcuts.
• Linux (in progress): not available yet. Install steps will be added when it ships.

tip

Windows may show a SmartScreen warning the first time you run the installer. You can safely tell Windows to run it anyway.

On macOS and Windows, ModuOps keeps itself up to date once installed. On Linux (in progress), download and install new versions yourself. See Preferences for the update settings.

Create or open a layout

All of your data for a layout lives in a single layout file with the .mop3 extension.

To create a new layout:

1. In the File menu select New Layout (Ctrl+N on Windows, Cmd+N on Mac). If no layout is open you can also click New Layout on the Dashboard.
2. In the Create New Layout dialog, give the file a name and pick a location where you'll be able to find it again. Always use a new file name.
3. Click Save. The new layout opens right away, and its name appears in the window title.

To open an existing layout:

• In the File menu select Open Layout... (Ctrl+O / Cmd+O), or click Open Layout on the Dashboard.
• Recently used layouts are listed under File > Open Recent Layout.
• You can also double-click a .mop3 file to open it in ModuOps.

info

Coming from ModuOps version 5? Open your .mop2 file the same way. ModuOps makes a .mop3 copy and leaves your original file untouched. See Upgrading from Version 5.

Build your first trainlist

Here's the order you'll want to follow to get going.

1. Set up the layout

1. Click Layout in the sidebar.
2. Enter a Layout Name. It prints at the top of every trainlist.
3. Under Length & Scale, choose the Length Unit and Scale you want to use for all lengths in this layout (for example Feet and HO (1:87.1)). Do this before you enter any lengths.

See Layout for details.

tip

New layouts start with the default unit and scale from Preferences. If you always work in the same scale, set it there once and every new layout will start with it.

2. Add equipment

1. Click Equipment Register in the sidebar.
2. Click New.
3. Enter a Description, a Short Description, and a Length. Optionally pick a Class and Era.
4. Click Save. Repeat for a few pieces of equipment.

See Equipment Register for details.

3. Add a yard

Every train starts and ends at a drop zone marked as a train origin/terminus, usually a yard, so you need at least one.

1. Click Modules/Towns in the sidebar.
2. Click New above the module list. Enter a Name and Short Name for your yard (for example "Staging" and "STG") and click Save.
3. Select the yard in the list, open the Drop Zones tab, and click New.
4. Enter a Drop Zone Name and a Length (the total storage capacity of the yard's tracks).
5. Check Train Origin/Terminus and click Save.

See Modules/Towns and Drop Zones for details.

4. Add a module with work to do

1. On the Modules/Towns screen, click New above the module list. Enter a Name and Short Name for a module or town on your layout and click Save.
2. Select the new module, open the Drop Zones tab, and click New. Enter a Drop Zone Name and the Length of track where cars are set out. Leave Train Origin/Terminus unchecked and click Save.
3. Open the Consignees tab and click New. Enter the consignee's Name and click Save.
4. Double-click the consignee you just created to open it again.
5. Click New Request to add an Equipment Request.
6. Leave Demand at 1, click the drop zone, and click one or more equipment types.
7. Click Save. You're returned to the consignee. Click Save again to go back to Modules/Towns.

See Consignees and Equipment Requests for details.

Screenshot needed

The Equipment Request form with a drop zone and two equipment types selected.

5. Create a train and its route

1. Click Trains in the sidebar and click New.
2. Enter a Symbol, pick your yard for both Departure and Terminates, and enter a Max Length.
3. Click Save. The train reopens with Details and Route tabs.
4. Click the Route tab.
5. In the Modules/Towns list, click the module you created, then click the right-arrow button in the center of the screen to add it to the route. The route saves as you build it.
6. Click Done.

See Trains and Train Route for details.

6. Generate and print a trainlist

1. Click Trainlists in the sidebar.
2. Pick your train from the Train list. Only trains with a route are listed.
3. Leave Scheduling Engine set to Weighted Selection and Output Format set to Modern.
4. Click Generate. A full-size preview of the trainlist appears on the right.
5. Click Print and use your computer's print dialog.

See Trainlists for details on engines, formats, and options.

Screenshot needed

The Trainlists screen with a generated trainlist in the preview.

Take the trainlist to your layout and get to work ;-)

Changes from version 5

• Layout files now use the .mop3 extension. Opening a .mop2 file creates a new .mop3 copy. See Upgrading from Version 5.
• File > New Layout... is now File > New Layout, and the Dashboard has New Layout and Open Layout buttons when no layout is open.
• Choose a length unit and scale for the layout before entering lengths.
• Forms use Save and Cancel instead of Done.
• The train route is now a tab on the train form instead of a separate screen.
• Generate a Trainlist is now Generate, and there's a separate Print button.