Release Notes for JMRI 5.11.3 release

Date: January 9, 2025

Bob Jacobsen

Subject: Test Release 5.11.3 of JMRI/DecoderPro is available for download.

Notes:

This is a test release. Please post a note if you encounter any new or old bugs! And please back up your JMRI files before installing this, in case you want to go back to an earlier version.

This is the next in a series of 5.11.* test releases. It requires at least Java 11 to work. We recommend that you use Java 17. (See our page on downloading Java) We expect this series to end in the next JMRI production release in June 2025. (See the tentative release schedule)

JMRI is now only available under the GNU General Public License. For more information, please see our copyright and licensing page.

Update From Older JMRI Versions

If you are currently using a version older than JMRI 5.0, please follow these instructions carefully:

1. Is your current version older than JMRI 4.12? If so, then update to JMRI 4.12 first, and ensure everything works correctly: check start-up, check things you need to be working, and check the JMRI log as well) before doing anything else. Store your configuration and panel files under a new name and use those from now on. Then continue with step 2.

   If you are currently using JMRI 4.7.3 or earlier on Linux or macOS (Windows doesn't need this), then it's very important that you update to JMRI 4.12 and carrying out the migration process described in the JMRI 4.12 release note before updating to any later release.

2. Is your current version older than JMRI 4.20? Then update to JMRI 4.20 first, and ensure that works correctly (check start-up, check things you need to be working, and check the JMRI log as well) before doing anything else. Save your preferences again. Store your configuration and panel files under a new name, use those from now on, and go on to step 3.
3. Is your current version older than JMRI 4.24? Then update to JMRI 4.24 first, and ensure that works correctly (check start-up, check things you need to be working, and check the JMRI log as well) before doing anything else. Save your preferences again. Store your configuration and panel files under a new name and use those from now on.
4. Is your current version older than JMRI 5.0? Then update to JMRI 5.0 first, and ensure that works correctly (check start-up, check things you need to be working, and check the JMRI log as well) before doing anything else. Save your preferences again. Store your configuration and panel files under a new name and use those from now on.
5. You can then install this release.

Following this multi-step order of updating via stable major releases safeguards you against possible migration issues that can arise from skipping these versions.

New problems with this release

• None yet

New warnings for this release:

• There's been a change to how OpenLCB turnouts are addressed when using the MTT addressing short cut. Turnouts 253,254,255, 510, 511, 512, 765, 766 and 767 will be addressed differently. If you're using any of these via e.g. MTT253, you will need to change the address. If you've been having trouble getting those addresses to work, this change should fix that.

Older warnings

See the JMRI 5.10 release note for more warnings predating the 5.11 development series, including pointers to various migration issues. These may be relevant to you if you're updating from an earlier version; we strongly recommend you update to at least JMRI 5.0 before installing this test release. See instructions above.

• Since JMRI 4.99.1 This test release, and all subsequent ones, require the use of Java 11 or later. We recommend that you use Java 17. Java 8 is explicitly not supported. There's more information on this migration on the JMRI Tech Road Map and JVM Capabilities pages.
• If you're using a Firefox web browser and opening JMRI help files locally (not over the web), a Firefox bug can sometimes cause it to enter a loop. There's a workaround in this JMRIusers post.

Download links:

These files are located in the JMRI 5.11.3 GitHub release. -->

Changes since Test Release 5.11.2:

The full list of included changes is available from our GitHub code repository.

Hardware Support

Lenz XPressNet

• Correct behavior of the ONESENSOR and TWOSENSOR turnout feedback mode. The turnout's KnownState is set after turnout feedback is received. In Layout Editor - Entry Exit - Full Interlocking - Signal mast sets the aspect Clear only after all turnouts are correctly positioned.

LocoNet

• LocoNet Monitor and Reporters now parse LISSY RFID-7 messages as sent by the Arduino-based GCA51 LocoIO 2xRFID board.

OpenLCB / LCC

• Added "Restart" and "Clear CDI cache" to the Send Frame developer screen
• Added "Restart" and "Clear CDI cache" to the contextual (popup) menu in LccPro
• Converted on "Restart" terminology; references to "Reboot" have been changed
• Added overwrite mode to EventID-entry fields. This accessed by using the "insert" key, which changes the cursor to an underline so you know you're in the mode. Mac keyboards do not support an insert key, so this feature is not available on the Mac.
• Updated the OpenLCB library being used to version 0.8.5
• Improved handling of memory service timeouts, including variable timeout lengths defined by the datagram responses.
• Made sure that MTT style turnout addressing used the standard-compliant "linear" form.

RFID

• A new method was added to receive RFID messages as IdTags over LocoNet, for example using the Arduino-based GCA51 LocoIO 2xRFID board.

SRCP

• Fast-clock TIME commands now use the 00-23 format for the hour value and do not repeat 01-12 in the afternoon.

New / Updated decoder definitions

AE Model

• Added AEModels.xml to add support for AE Model decoders

DCC Concepts

• DCC_Concepts_Zen_ABC.xml to add definitions for DCC Concepts Zen Blue/Black V12

ESU

• SwitchPilot Servo V3.0

Hattoms

• Added Hattons-Neo.xml to add Hattons Neo decoders

Hornby

• Added HornbyTXS.xml to add Hornby HM7000 sound decoder definitions and updated HornbyTTS.xml to address error for Hall Class Sound definition

MD Electronics

• Corrections to the translation into German

Rampino Elektronic

• Added support for the Loco-1 and Loco-2 decoders.

Technologistic (train-O-matic)

• Fix for resetting Train-O-Matic decoders

ZIMO

• Updated Zimo_MS_small_v4.xml and Zimo_MN_small_v4.xml

Dispatcher

• When setting up a new train use detection Entire Train, unless overridden by custom defaults.
• Always check allocation and switch settings before any signaling system.
• Correctly identify and handle changing position of DoubleXOver switch to prevent switch changing under a train.
• Identify conflicting routes when checking allocations thru DoubleXOvers with four blocks. DoubleXOvers with less than four blocks require no additional checks.
• When stopping on previous block going unoccupied and speed profile ramping and minimum speed, use a 75% stopping length factor for the ramp.
• When a train has been stopped with a missing signal mast attempt to restart use BlockAllocation.
• When a missing signal mast has been found use BlockAllocation method to stop if next block not allocated.

Layout Editor

• Added "Highlight cursor position" option to enable drawing of a square around finger/mouse press/drag area. Useful for touchscreens.

LogixNG

• The formula function currentTimeMillis() has been added to the Clock module. It returns the current system time in milliseconds and is useful if you want to measure how long time it takes for JMRI to do a task.

OperationsPro

• New feature, you can now select locomotive pick up and set out text colors.
• Added track move count to "Export Locations".
• Improved "Train logger" to include the number of cars in train, the number of pick ups and set outs, train length and weight.
• New feature, import routes.
• New feature, print "Cars In Train" AKA train blocking order
• New print option, show locomotive set outs at end of Manifest or switch list.

Roster

• Roster Table - Fixes initial editing of Last Operated date / time values using 1-12hr values instead of 0-23.

Throttle

• Lionel Jeanson added a driver for the Densha de GO controler USB controller for the USBThrottle Jynstrument

Virtual Sound Decoder

• Added checks to prevent errors due to not enough AudioBuffers.

Z21 Server

• Add support for Roco WlanMaus
• Improve UI to show connected clients
• Add UI for mapping of Z21 turnout numbers to JMRI turnouts, routes etc.
• Add help page

Test Infrastructure

• JUnitAppender - assertNoErrorMessage and assertMessage(String msg) functionality updated to match JavaDoc.
• JUnitAppender - Updated JavaDoc.

Miscellaneous

• Added a jmri.util.swing.OvertypeTextArea class for data entry with overwrite mode, controlled by the insert key. (Mac keyboards don't support an insert key, so this is not available on them.)

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