Small Beginnings

The programming of HOPS started in August 2009 on the rostering functions. By January 2010 it was ready to be opened to a small testing group of Gloucs-Warks volunteers for the first few months of 2010. The reception was excellent. In the spring of 2010 HOPS Rostering was rolled-out to the rest of the signalling department at the GWR, followed by several other departments.

Towards the end of 2010, some other heritage railways made enquiries about the use of HOPS (even though we still weren't really open to new railways yet). One of these was the South Devon, who requested us to produce an assessment module, where staff could take online tests, which we did.

In January 2011 HOPS opened its doors for the world to share its skills. We now welcome new railways to enjoy the tools and facilities of HOPS, we hope we can help more railways to take greater command of their operations, to make some of the more laborious jobs a bit easier, and to learn from new contacts in new railways to conitnually develop HOPS for everyone's benefit. Please see the Join HOPS tab, above, for information on how to do just that.

If you would like more information about HOPS, please contact us.