Release Notes for JMRI 5.11.1 release

Date: December 16, 2024

From: Bob Jacobsen

Subject: Test Release 5.11.1 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 first 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)

Some of the changes involved are quite extensive. They may require a certain amount of experience before they are working well. Therefore, this test release should be considered experimental. We would appreciate your feedback on it.

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:

• None Yet

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.

Download links:

These files are located in the JMRI 5.11.1 GitHub release.

Changes since Production Release 5.10:

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

Hardware Support

Marklin CS2

• Added simulated CS2 Connection

OpenLCB / LCC

• There's a new LccPro JMRI application that's targeted at making it easier to understand and configure an LCC network. See the help page for more information.
• The Event Table has been improved:
  • It now shows event ranges.
  • It now automatically shows the names of event IDs that are defined in the LCC Standards if you haven't given them another name.
  • There's now a "Find Name" that searches for any cell in the name columns containing a particular string.
  • The Find Event and Find Name search boxes update the search as you type.
  • The File menu now contains a "Read from CSV..." item that lets you load event names from a comma-separated (CSV) file.
• A graphics issue on Linux in the configuration screens was fixed.
• Improved the Traffic Monitor display:
  • Now shows addressed message destinations;
  • Better alignment of messages on the screen;
  • Improved how event ID names and uses are displayed on event messages.
  • Improved help page.
• Sensors connected via a bridge can now be accessed via a "Snnn" hardware address, similar to the "Tnnn" address used for Turnouts.
• You can now enter event IDs by name, in addition to by number:
  • When adding Turnouts/Sensors/Lights and setting aspect events for OpenLCB Signal Masts
  • When configuring a node using its CDI
  When a name has been entered, a tooltip will show the underlying numeric events.

New / Updated decoder definitions

SoundTraxx

• Fixed some sound options in the SoundTraxx Tsu2 Diesel OEM Genesis decoder definition.

ZIMO

• New Zimo MX820 definition.

DecoderPro

• You can now choose how to sort the Roster Group Table.

Dispatcher

• Provide more information when selecting traininfo file.

LccPro

• There's a new LccPro JMRI application that's targeted at making it easier to understand and configure an LCC network. See the help page for more information.

OperationsPro

• Added text coloring to conductor rolling stock movement.
• Added text coloring to Web Manifest and conductor rolling stock movement.
• Made a change to always allow a caboose to be set out at terminal if there are moves available.
• Fixed location table track direction GUI to report single track direction when appropriate.
• When printing switch list details use track blocking order rather than alphabetically by track name.
• Fixed bug in Show Staging and Schedules by Car Type and Load
• Made route path the same for all cars in a kernel
• Added car's "Route Path" to car export

Preferences

• Update Messages details. Describe the option to hide tabs without active messages.

Turnouts, Lights, Sensors and other elements

• You can now export the contents of a table to a CSV file from the File menu.

Miscellaneous

• You can now export the contents of a table to a CSV file from the File menu.

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