Release Notes for JMRI 5.13.3 release
Date: MM DDD, 2025
From: release pumpkin
Subject: Test Release 5.13.3 of JMRI/DecoderPro is available for download.
This is a draft release note only; the download links do not yet work
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:
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:
During development leading to the actual release, you can find test download files on the
continuous integration build page.
These are development files, and might not be working at any particular time.
The
full list of included changes is available from our
GitHub code repository.
Hardware Support
Acela CTI
Anyma DMX512
Bachrus Speedo
- Add "keep-alive" setting for netBiDiB connections.
CBUS
- Improved Node Manager CANCMDB support.
C/MRI
DCC++ and DCC-EX
DCC4pc
Direct
ESU
Hornby
Internal
IPOCSMR
JMRI Simple Server/JMRI Client
KPF-Zeller
Lenz XPressNet
- Fixes a bug when programming locos.
LocoNet
Maple
Marklin CS2
MERG
MQTT
MRC
NCE
Oak Tree
Powerline
RFID
Roco z21/Z21
- Fixes a bug when programming locos.
Secsi
SPROG
SRCP
TAMS
TMCC
Uhlenbrock Intellibox
Zimo MXULF
ZTC
New / Updated decoder definitions
AE Model
Arnold
Bachmann
BLI
BNM Hobbies
CT Elektronik
DCC Concepts
Digikeijs (Digirails)
Digitrax
Doehler & Haas
ESU
Hattoms
Hornby
Kuehn
LaisDCC
Lenz
MD Electronics
MGP
Mistral Train Models
MTH
MRC
NCE
Norsk Modelljernbane (NJM)
Public Domain and DIY decoders
QSI
Rampino Elektronic
Rautenhaus
RR-CirKits
SoundTraxx
Tam Valley Depot
TAMS
TCS
Team Digital
Technologistic (train-O-matic)
Trix Modelleisenbahn
Uhlenbrock
Umelec
Viessmann
Wangrow
ZIMO
Miscellaneous
Control Panel Editor
- Fixed a bug that would cause Markers to be created in random locations.
Circuit Builder
Palette
CTC Tool
DecoderPro
- There are two new columns in the DecoderPro main
display: "Decoder Manufacturer" and "Decoder Family".
These start out hidden. To display them,
right or control click in the header of any column,
and then put a check next to the column name.
- The individual DecoderPro tab panes can now be detached
and independently positioned on the screen. To detach
a pane, click on the "two pages" icon on the tab.
To reattach, just close the detached window.
-
- Fixed a bug where changes to the speed table sliders
would not remind you if they had not been saved to the
roster file.
Dispatcher
- At the end of a PAUSE transit action, set speedby signal, do not blindly restore pre-pause value.
Dispatcher System
Internationalization
Layout Editor
- Fixed a bug that would cause Markers to be created in random locations.
NX - Entry/Exit Tool
LccPro
Logix
LogixNG
Meters and MeterFrames
OperationsPro
- New feature, a non-lead car in a kernel departing staging or spur can now have a custom load that doesn't match the lead car
- Added "hyphen" feature to the train name. The program will drop "-(something)" from the train's name on Manifests and switch lists
- New enhancement, you can now set the maximum length for a track in a pool
- Added G scale 1:24 ratio option in the Setting window, renamed G scale 1:32 ratio "Gauge 1"
- Fix a bug with RWE or RWL and no track assignment, along with using a schedule that doesn't specify car's load
Panel Editor
- Fixed a bug that would cause Markers to be created in random locations.
Permissions
Preferences
- Prevent duplicate start up entries when adding a WiThrottle start up action.
Resources
Roster
- There are two new columns in the DecoderPro display of the
roster: "Decoder Manufacturer" and "Decoder Family".
These start out hidden. To display them,
right or control click in the header of any column,
and then put a check next to the column name.
Routes
Scripting
Signals
Signal Systems
Signal Heads
- For signal heads using the DCC Signal Decoder, an option has been added to the
Add/Edit dialog to copy the set of appearance numbers from another signal head. This
can be used to create a custom set of appearance numbers that can be easily applied
to new and existing signal heads.
Signal Masts
Signal Groups
Cab Signals
Simple Signal Logic
USS CTC Logic
Switchboard Editor
- Adds check to prevent a duplicate Turnout / Sensor / Light UserName being set.
Throttle
- Uses correct connection for non-default Throttle release / dispatch requests.
Timetable
Tracker
Turnouts, Lights, Sensors and other elements
Warrants
- The getWarrantSpeedMessage() method has been added to the Warrant class.
This is a public class that can be used by scripts and LogixNG formulas to get the current
Warrant speed message. The message format depends on the Interpretation
selection in Preferences ⇒ Warrants.
Web Access
Web Server
Where Used
WiThrottle Server
- Prevent duplicate start up entries when adding a WiThrottle start up action.
Virtual Sound Decoder
Z21 Server
Miscellaneous
- Fixed a formating problem in "Report Issue" tool
- Added a link to the JMRI users group in the Help menu