Here is a complete write-up on how to get started, where to look, and what you’ll need.

If you are building your own list, these were the "must-haves" of that era:

Look for the "Latest" or "Recommended" build for 1.5.2.

Adds pipes, quarries, and automated construction.

Before you can run mods, you need the version-specific loader. Go to the Minecraft Forge Archive.