What is JMRI?

JMRI 2.7.9 Development Version Released on November 15, 2009. This is the ninth in a sequence of test versions following after the 2.6.1 production release. This series will eventually result in a new JMRI 2.8 production release. This test release is (intended to be) the last set of changes and new features before the next JMRI 2.8 production release. The key changes since development version 2.7.9 include: Improved throttle customization possibilities SE8c signal decoders can now be used with non-Digitrax DCC systems S88 sensors on eCos systems can now be used along with many other changes. For more information, please read the JMRI 2.7.9 Release Notes, which also contain the download links.

JMRI 2.6.1 Production Version Released on July 11, 2009. JMRI 2.6.1 is recommended for new users. It's the most recent stable production version. New features include: Routes and Logix are both more powerful and simpler to configure. Many improvements to the operations support. The hardware support for Digitrax, NCE, Lenz, CTU Acela, C/MRI, and CBUS systems were all improved. Greatly improved icon handling in the Panel Editor, making it much easier to use the specific images you want. Many improvements to the help screens. Many decoder definition updates. Greatly improved Windows installer. More options in the Dispatcher support. For more information, please read the JMRI 2.6.1 Release Notes, which also contain the download links.

JMRI at NMRA Hartford Convention

We're planning seven JMRI clinics at the NMRA 2009 convention in Hartford (July 5-11), along with our traditional user get-together. Two of the introductory clinics will be repeated.

For more information, please see the schedule page. Hope to see you there!

DecoderPro and Monday Night at the Movies

Joe Fugate filmed some of the JMRI clinics at the NMRA 2008 Anaheim meeting for Model Railroad Hobbyist emagazine. They're now running the DecoderPro clinics as part of their "Monday Night at the Movies" series on the Model Railroad Hobbyist web site. It's a great way to see the clinics if you couldn't get to the NMRA convention!

Court Gives JMRI Important Victory In KAM Dispute

JMRI is an informal open-source group. We do this for the joy of model railroading, and don't produce anything for profit.

One of our members is currently defending our right to continue against patent litigation, cybersquatting and copyright infringement by a wealthy individual who has far outspent us. While we believe we can succeed with substantially less than than the $1 million he could afford to spend, we still need your help to prevail. Please donate -- $1, $5, $10, $25, $50, $100 or more -- to help us in this fight.

The most recent event: The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (Washington, DC, USA) upheld JMRI's copyright in what's been called an "important ruling for open source". More information is available on our updates page, and links to a lot of articles and commentary can be found on our "Articles by Others" page.

For more information on the legal dispute between Bob Jacobsen and Matt Katzer et al, including information on allegations that JMRI infringes Matt Katzer's patents and evidence that Katzer has misused the JMRI decoder definitions, please see here.

XTrkCad and JMRI

XTrkCad is a great, free tool for designing your layout that's being developed by a group of model railroaders.

XtrkCadReader is a new JMRI tool built by Giorgio Terdina to take layout information created by XTrkCad (XTC files) and convert it to a form that JMRI can read (XML files).

This tool lets you import your physical layout design from XTrkCad directly into JMRI so you can easily set up controls for the layout you've built.

Finding Fellow JMRI Users

The best way to learn about JMRI is often from somebody in your own area. There's a lot about it that's just easier to demonstrate than to describe over email. JMRI users (and model railroaders in general) tend to be helpful, interesting people, and are often amazingly helpful. But how to find somebody local?

We've set up a "Frappr" web site that lets JMRI users mark where they're located so others can get in touch. People can add themselves to it pretty easily. If enough people do that, it'll be a useful tool when looking for somebody in your local area. More here..

KAM Dispute

JMRI is an informal open-source group. We do this for the joy of model railroading, and don't produce anything for profit. One of our members is currently defending our right to continue against patent litigation, cybersquatting and copyright infringement from a wealthy individual who has far outspent us. While we believe we can succeed with substantially less than than the $1 million he could afford to spend, we still need your help to prevail. Please donate -- $1, $5, $10, $25, $50, $100 or more -- to help us in this fight.

For more information on the legal dispute between Bob Jacobsen and Matt Katzer et al, including information on allegations that JMRI infringes Matt Katzer's patents and evidence that Katzer has misused the JMRI decoder definitions, please see here.

Help Pages Online

The JMRI applications have a built-in help system. It has lots of information, including overviews and window-specific information. The pages are simple HTML, and users are encouraged to add missing information. The help information is available online via either the index or table of contents.

CATS

The Crandic Automated Traffic System (CATS) is a JMRI-based application by Rodney Black for controlling and operating a model railroad. There's more information on the CATS web site.

JMRI wins Duke's Choice award from Sun Microsystems

Sun Microsystems has awarded JMRI a 2006 Duke's Choice award. Also called a "Dukie", this award is given annually to "some of the most clever, practical, and inspirational Java technology applications on the planet". The award was presented at the annual JavaOne conference on May 14th by James Gosling.

JMRI won for it's community, it's use of Java technology to empower people all over the world to contribute, and for the impact it's had.

(Press release)

New Wiki provides additional information

A Wiki is an online tool for gathering, organizing and presenting information. The best known is Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia. JMRI now has a Wiki of it's own where users can add their own hints and tips, look up information they need, and build an ever-increasing set of documentation for each other.

You can start at the top page.

Check out the new "clinics" page!

Several users have contributed their clinics for our new clinics page. There are both conventional handouts and slides, and also some neat interactive clinics for DecoderPro® and PanelPro™.

Decoder ID pages

A new "Decoder ID" page has been added to the web. Automagically created from the current DecoderPro definitions, it provides easy access to all sorts of information about decoders.

Contribute more information to our decoder definitions, and help these pages become even more useful!