Release Notes for JMRI 5.13.2 release
Date: July 12, 2025
From: Bob Jacobsen
Subject: Test Release 5.13.2 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 5.13.* 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
New warnings for this release:
- DecoderPro has been added to the permission system. Due to the
complexity of many different programmers on many different
hardware, there might be bugs that we haven't noticed yet. If
something isn't working as expected, please report it on the
JMRI users group.
Older warnings
See the
JMRI 5.12 release note for more warnings predating the 5.13 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.
- Since JMRI 5.11.3
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.
- Since JMRI 5.11.5
OperationsPro program file locations were changed in
JMRI 5.11.5. Start up actions
involving operations windows from previous releases no longer work. You'll need to remove them and
add them back if needed.
Download links:
These files are located in the
JMRI 5.11.8 GitHub release.
The
full list of included changes is available from our
GitHub code repository.
Hardware Support
- Added a column to the LccPro main window for the node's user-entered description.
New / Updated decoder definitions
Public Domain and DIY decoders
- New definitions for Rokuhan A053 and A059 decoders
Technologistic (train-O-matic)
- Fix for Brake function key selection (F0-F28), including "no active" value. (Lokommander II decoders)
DecoderPro
- The permissions On Program Track and
Program On Main has been added in the
section Decoder programming. If
permissions are enabled, these needs to be enabled
for the user to program decoders.
LogixNG
- It's now possible to execute some LogixNG commands when a LogixNG error occurs.
It's useful if JMRI run without a display and you want a notification for
example by a sensor. To use it, select menu item
Tools -> LogixNG -> Edit error handling module.
- Preferences -> LogixNG -> Default error handling
has the new option Abort without error. If it
is selected and there is an error in the CondtionalNG, the
ConditionalNG will be aborted but there will be no logging to the
system console. This might be useful together with the
Error handling module.
- The category OperationsPro and the action
Run automation have been added. The
Run automation lets you run an OperationsPro
automation from LogixNG.
- Fixed a bug in the action Program On Main
that caused connection specific programming modes to fail.
OperationsPro
- Additional improvements to quick service tracks
- Fixed a bug with alternate tracks in FIFO or LIFO mode
- Printing Manifests or switch list will no longer have a page break in the middle of a locations work
- Fixed the text header in the export routes tool
- Enhanced the Cars and Locomotive windows, now to find a car or loco you can now use the enter key to begin the search
- LogixNG has now the Run automation action that lets you run an OperationsPro automation from LogixNG.
Permissions
- The permissions On Program Track and
Program On Main has been added in the
section Decoder programming. If
permissions are enabled, these needs to be enabled
for the user to program decoders.
Warrants
- Fix OBlock java.util.MissingResourceException: Resource 'BlockUnknown' not found exception.