Feature: No Reporting Marks

What? Are you crazy? Well, maybe. But I'm sticking by the decision to not use reporting marks in ModuOps.

For a Modular setup typically at a train show, reporting marks add a significant burden in getting the layout to a point where it is operating (pre-show and during the event), and adds some aggravation when things don't go as the Ops Software thought it should.

Free-mo setups by definition are dynamic and to some extent unknown. Having a software system that is tolerant of general car types is an advantage to getting this style of layout working and looking like it's a railroad doing real work.

ModuOps moves generic "Car Types" around the layout. It is up to the yard and train crews to select specific cars to meet the requirements that are called for on in a Manifest. When using the MRBT mode with Set Outs only, instructions are added to the Manifest to pickup all cars when dropping. This enables the operating session to effectively "clean up" mistakes made by folks.

Yes, in the real world, reporting marks are used on all the paperwork. To me the operations are real enough for my liking without the reporting marks. Preparation for the Ops Plan is much quicker without having to coordinate with all the individuals coming exactly what cars including reporting marks are they bringing to an event.

It's takes a little to get used to not seeing reporting marks on Manifests. But give it a chance and you'll see it actually works pretty good.