Release Notes for JMRI 5.17.2 release

Date: MM DD, 2026

From: Release Pumpkin

Subject: Test Release 5.17.2 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 5.17.* test releases. It requires at least Java 11 to work. We recommend that you use Java 21 if possible. (See our page on downloading Java) We expect this series to result in the next JMRI production release in December 2026. (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:

Older warnings

See the JMRI 5.16 release note for more warnings predating the 5.17 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 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:

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.

Changes since Production Release 5.16:

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

Hardware Support

Acela CTI

Anyma DMX512

Bachrus Speedo

BiDiB

CBUS

• Console Connection Logging - Default filename now includes connection name.
• On opening the Console, Logging to File resumes in an empty file if active when the previous console is closed.

C/MRI

DCC++ and DCC-EX

• PowerManager - Added method for requesting power status from layout.
• Power status is polled following a set power state command as newer DCC-EX command stations do not confirm their power status following the command.

DCC4pc

Direct

ESU

Hornby

Internal

IPOCSMR

JMRI Simple Server/JMRI Client

KPF-Zeller

Lenz XPressNet

LocoNet

• SlotMonitor update:
  • Add ability to hide / move columns. N.B. if you open 2 or more SlotMonitors this is only effective on the first one.
  • If Extended purge time is enabled in the Command Station the Slow scan for slots is extended.
  • If purging is disabled in the Command Station so is slow scanning.
  • A custom interval, in seconds can be implemented by placing the value in jmri.jmrix.loconet.SlotManager.slowScanIntervalOveride. A value of -1 stops slowscanning.
• Remove some extra messages when configuring with the board-level tools in the LocoNet menu
• Added a new programming facade "Digitrax OpSw Word Programming" for programming at the board level for e.g. DS64's.
• You can now program, save and load DS64 output addresses and routes in a roster entry using DecoderPro.
• Timeouts when programming the Op Switches on Digitrax boards (e.g. DS64, etc) will automatically be retried once.
• Added interpretation of some BDL716 configuration messages to LocoNet Monitor.
• Made some LocoNet-specific programming mode constants public so the can be accessed from scripts.

Maple

Marklin CS2

MERG

MQTT

MRC

NCE

Oak Tree

OpenLCB / LCC

Powerline

RFID

Raspberry PI

Roco z21/Z21

Secsi

SPROG

SRCP

TAMS

TMCC

Uhlenbrock Intellibox

Zimo

ZTC

New / Updated decoder definitions

AE Model

Arnold

Bachmann

BLI

BNM Hobbies

CT Elektronik

DCC Concepts

Digikeijs (Digirails)

Digitrax

Doehler & Haas

• Sound decoders, firmware 1.13: added CV137 bit 6 and CV28 bit 2.
• Sound decoders: firmware 1.01, 1.02.084, 1.05.115, 1.08.027, 1.09.117, 1.11.069 and 1.13.101 are now identified correctly.
• Sound decoders: corrected the CV131, CV132 and CV133 defaults to F8, F4 and F9, and the CV361 threshold to 7.
• SUSI sound modules: corrected the CV961 threshold default and the SH05A and SH10A model comments.
• The decoder schema now offers E24 as a connector type (NEM 664 / RCN-124, marketed by ESU as "Next28"); the D&H DH24A uses it.
• New definitions for firmware 3.15.016, covering the non-sound decoders (DH05C, DH06A, DH10C, DH12A, DH14B, DH16A, DH18A, DH21A, DH21B, DH22A, DH22B, DH24A, DHSP10A, PD05A, PD06A, PD10MU, PD12A, PD18A, PD18MU, PD21A, FH05B, FH16A, FH18A and FH22A). Adds shuttle mode (CV60), AUX10-AUX12 mapping (CV101-103), AUX3-AUX6 dimming (CV461-467) and a wider CV112 range. Note that CV467 may read 255 after a firmware update; a reset (CV8 = 8) restores its default of 31.
• New definitions for firmware 3.14.095, covering the same decoders, adding CV144 bit 5 and the GPIO brake settings on the DH21B, DH22B and DH24A.
• Non-sound decoders, firmware 3.13: added the CV401-412 function swapping settings and CV137 bit 6, on a new Function Swapping tab.
• Non-sound decoders, firmware 3.13: added the DH24A and DHSP10A locomotive decoders and the FH16A function decoder.
• Non-sound decoders, firmware 3.13: corrected the DH21B and DH22B product IDs, and declared Motorola support on the FH decoders.
• Non-sound decoders, firmware 3.10 to 3.13: the CV144 GPIO brake settings are now shown on the decoders that support them.
• Non-sound decoders, firmware 3.12 to 3.14: CV112 is no longer shown on FH and PD05A decoders, and its default is corrected to 15.
• Non-sound decoders: CV124, which selects the function keys that start the delay, is now shown on the DH Options tab. It is a bit mask over F1-F8 and is modelled as such; it was previously a single-choice list.
• Non-sound decoders: corrected the default function assignments of CV131, CV132 and CV133 (low beam light, shunting gear, deceleration off), which all defaulted to F1 instead of F8, F4 and F9.
• Non-sound decoders: label and tooltip corrections on CV131-133 and CV137, using D&H's own wording.

ESU

• LokSound 5 nano DCC now declares its E24 interface.

Hattoms

Hornby

Kuehn

LaisDCC

LDH

Lenz

MD Electronics

MGP

Mistral Train Models

MTH

MRC

NCE

Norsk Modelljernbane (NJM)

Piko decoders

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

• New definitions for Zimo MS/MN/FS software v5+.
• New decoders added: MS420, MS440C, MS440D, MS481, MS501, MS920LE and MN150, plus the FS sound decoders FS840, FS850 and FS890N18 (v5 only), and MS001 and MN250 (v4 & v5).
• Expanded CV coverage and corrections to Zimo MS/MN software v4+, including output counts on the Next18 types.
• No more sound CVs for MN non-sound decoders.
• ZIMO sound levels now in the standard Sound Levels pane (including for MX decoders), to avoid an empty Sound Levels pane.
• New "Off" option for the Swiss Mapping dimming groups (also for older MX decoders).
• The alternative function mapping pane now shows exactly the outputs each decoder has (also for MX decoders).
• MS540E24 now declares its E24 interface, and the MN140E24 definition is now available.

Miscellaneous

Control Panel Editor

Circuit Builder

Palette

CTC Tool

DecoderPro

• Add the ability to export a backup of a single Roster Group.
• You can now program, save and load DS64 output addresses and routes in a roster entry using DecoderPro.
• Fixed a bug which caused importing a decoder on Windows to fail.
• Fixed a bug which would sometimes show empty tabs when it shouldn't.
• Added the Speed Profiling tool to the Actions menu.

Dispatcher

Dispatcher System

Internationalization

Layout Editor

NX - Entry/Exit Tool

LccPro

Logix

LogixNG

• Add the Occupied option to the Sections Expression. This is used to test if any blocks within a Section are occupied.
• Removed the Listen option from the Memory reference tab used by Actions and Expressions. See Removed Listen for details.

Meters and MeterFrames

OperationsPro

• New feature, you can now control which road names and load types a track can service.
• Fixed a problem with spurs with schedules in quick service mode.
• You can now print the contents of the "Show Schedules by Car Type and Load".
• You can also print the contents of the "Show Staging and Schedules by Car Type and Load".

Panel Editor

Permissions

Preferences

Resources

Roster

Routes

Scripting

Signals

Signal Systems

Signal Heads

Signal Masts

Signal Groups

Cab Signals

Simple Signal Logic

USS CTC Logic

Switchboard Editor

Throttle

Timetable

Tracker

Turnouts, Lights, Sensors and other elements

Warrants

Web Access

Web Server

Where Used

WiThrottle Server

Virtual Sound Decoder

Z21 Server

Miscellaneous

• The Linux desktop icons have been updated from .gif from .png so they work on more Linux distributions.

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