🎯 Overview
The Operation category defines "when, what class of train, running from where" on a map whose wiring and equipment are already complete. It is only enabled while a scenario is selected.
Three editing targets
| Item | Role |
|---|---|
| Path Group (PathGroup) | A "template" defining a train's running route — the spawn location, the sequence of routes, and station stops, described in time order |
| Train List (TrainList) | Actual trains, one per row. Each train specifies its train number, train type, and which path group it rides |
| Diagram Row (DiagramRow) | Defines the rows along the vertical axis of the diagram (platform tracks and map-edge terminals) |
Editing flow
- Arrange the diagram rows as needed (platform tracks and map-edge terminals line up as the vertical axis of the diagram)
- Build a path group for each route you need (e.g. one for morning up trains into track 1, one for evening turnarounds via the pull-out track, etc.)
- Add trains one row at a time to the train list, specifying the path group, train type, and train number
- Save and check the result with Preview
🛤 Path Group
A path group is the route definition of a train. It describes "appears here, goes through this route, stops at this station, goes through this route, and disappears here" in time order.
Where to edit
Open it from the left sidebar under Operation → Path Group.
Main path-group fields
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Path Group ID | Name used for internal references (e.g. down_local_morning) |
| Direction | The direction the train travels (choose with the Right / Left buttons). Every train using this path group runs in this direction |
| Spawn track circuit | The track circuit where trains spawn (press the Pick spawn track circuit button, then click a track circuit on the map) |
| Spawn offset (sec) | Seconds relative to the scenario start time. Leaving it empty marks the group as a Connection (turnaround hand-off), inherited automatically from the previous operation |
| Departure board direction | Which board direction this path group's trains appear under, chosen by button (Auto / a direction master entry / hidden from the board) |
Building the steps (PathStep)
A path group is defined as a chain of steps. Each step is either "which route to go through next" or "which station to stop at".
| Step kind | Role |
|---|---|
| Route step (route) | Proceed to the next location through the specified route |
| Station-stop step (station) | Stop at the specified station for passengers. Dwell time and departure time are specified separately |
Steps are ordered by sequence. Describe the flow as: spawn → route → station stop → route → station stop → ... → route (to the terminus).
Departure board direction picker (button style)
The departure board direction is entered via button selection (not free text). The choices registered in the direction master appear alongside Auto (from direction) and Hide from board.
🚆 Train List
The train list enumerates the actual trains, one per row. If a path group is a "route template", a train-list entry is the concrete instance — "the train numbered 1234 that runs along that template at such-and-such time".
Where to edit
Open it from the left sidebar under Operation → Train List.
Main train-list fields
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Op. name | The number identifying the train (e.g. 1001) |
| Train Type | Pick from the train type master (shown by nickname) |
| Train Class | Pick from the train class master (e.g. Local, Express) |
| Path Group | Pick from the path group master (e.g. down_local_morning) |
| Arrival / Pass time | Arrival time at the first stop (HH:MM:SS). When every step of the path group is a pass-through, it becomes the "Pass time" |
| Departure | Departure time from the first stop (HH:MM:SS). The input field is hidden for pass-through trains |
| Next train | For turnaround trains, the train number to hand over to next (the ◀▶ buttons cycle through candidates) |
Copy
The Copy button comes in handy when creating a new train based on an existing one. Change only the train number and the spawn time, and you can mass-produce trains with the same route and same type.
Setting up turnaround trains
Specify another train number in the Next train field, and that train will run as the continuation of the current train with the same rolling stock (a turnaround operation). The next-train side has no spawn track circuit or spawn time of its own; it is handed over the moment the previous train reaches its terminus.
📈 Diagram Row
Diagram rows (DiagramRows) define the rows lined up along the vertical axis of the diagram (the time × position graph). This is where you decide the order and display names of stations, platform tracks, pull-out tracks, terminals, and so on.
Where to edit
Open it from the left sidebar under Operation → Diagram Row.
Main fields
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Type | Choose by button between Platform (a row tied to a specific station and track number) or Terminal (the end point of the lines running out from a station) |
| Target station / Target track | Specified for the "Platform" type (picked from the station master and track number master). The display name is auto-generated from these |
| Display name | The left-side label on the diagram. Auto-generated from the target station and track for the "Platform" type; free input for the "Terminal" type |
| Track circuits | The track circuits tied to this row (multiple allowed). Add / remove by left-clicking on the map |
| Sort order | The order from top to bottom in the diagram. Reorder with the ▲▼ buttons in the list view |
Tying rows to track circuits
Diagram rows are tied to track circuits. The time a train passes through such a track circuit is drawn as the train's line on that row of the diagram. A forgotten link means no train line appears on the diagram, so check the validation messages on save.
💡 Tips
Preview little by little
Rather than building the entire timetable and previewing at the end, you will catch bugs more easily by previewing after every one or two trains you add. A wrong spawn track circuit direction or mis-ordered path group steps become obvious as soon as you actually run the trains.
Align train numbers with direction
Decide a numbering rule such as even numbers for up trains and odd numbers for down trains, and the train list becomes much easier to read (this mirrors real-world railway practice).
Get the big picture with the diagram view
While a preview is running, press F1 to open the diagram view and see how your timetable runs on a time × station overview. See the diagram view guide for how to use it.