Jerry,

On Aug 14, 2018, at 8:09 AM, JerryG via Groups.Io <jerryg2003@...> wrote:
I for one really appreciate all the time and effort the experts put in to answering questions on this list. You are all awesome helpful! I do have a question, however...

If this list is only for TECHNICAL aspects of JMRI (as your post states), then where can us beginners go to get help with how to “USE” JMRI?

Technical aspects includes how to use JMRI, as such this is the place for beginners to ask for assistance.

Topics can stray into hardware on the layout used through JMRI ( such as signals ) but they shouldn’t stray into general modeling topics, or non modeling topics, that have nothing to do with JMRI.

Paul

That's the right place to look, but you don't have DEBUG turned on for dispatcher, or you'd see many more messages. To enable debug for Dispatcher, add the following line:

log4j.category.jmri.jmrit.dispatcher=DEBUG

to your default.lcf file and restart JMRI. You should see many more lines in your session log (aka JMRI console).

Richard,

thank you for your reply. I have indeed been trying the demonstration version of TrainController Gold. The purpose of the exercise is to determine which is likely to be more suitable. The 15 minute connectivity limit in the demonstration version makes it rather hard to evaluate properly. I have managed to get basic functionality working with my layout.

One thing that I do want to check is whether I can get it running in Linux under Win, as the computer that I want to use in my railway shed runs Linux. I have managed to make it work in offline mode under Wine apparently without much difficulty (and I am told that the McKinley Railway manages to get TrainController working on Linux servers), but I have yet to try connecting the command station to it running under Wine to see how it handles USB connexions.

I am not a fan of the interface in TrainController. I rather like the open source nature of JMRI and the possible ability to build much more realistic panels than in TrainController. Nonetheless, it may transpire that, although I am willing to do some scripting, the limitations in JMRI are so great that it is not feasible to do this within a sensible amount of time. That would be a great shame, I think, but I do want to be able to build and run my model railway within a reasonable amount of time.

I have not got into all of the finer details of TrainController yet, but I have been watching the interesting video tutorials by "Rudysmodelrailway". Do you know whether it is capable of the sort of abstraction that I have in mind as the ideal above? It may have to suffice in any event if it does not, but it would be relevant to the decision if so.

Incidentally, if anyone is able to assist with the original questions regarding quite how far that JMRI can go for full timetabled automation without writing something of similar complexity to JMRI itself in Jython scripts, I should be very grateful.

Thank you for your responses.

As to the debug for the dispatcher, do you mean the console output? If so, the output with a single train running is as follows:

[code]
2018-08-14 16:09:05,891 util.Log4JUtil??????????????????????? INFO? - * JMRI log ** [main]
2018-08-14 16:09:05,904 util.Log4JUtil??????????????????????? INFO? - This log is appended to file: C:\Users\James\JMRI\log\messages.log [main]
2018-08-14 16:09:05,905 util.Log4JUtil??????????????????????? INFO? - This log is stored in file: C:\Users\James\JMRI\log\session.log [main]
2018-08-14 16:09:05,915 apps.Apps???????????????????????????? INFO? - PanelPro version 4.12+Rb6a9bb1 starts under Java 1.8.0_181 on Windows 7 amd64 v6.1 at Tue Aug 14 16:09:05 BST 2018 [main]
2018-08-14 16:09:07,386 apps.Apps???????????????????????????? INFO? - Starting with profile Automation_test_layout.3f6acf02 [main]
2018-08-14 16:09:07,541 node.NodeIdentity???????????????????? INFO? - Using jmri-dG1h9cpHGhNiaahg7KpNdQ-3f6acf02 as the JMRI Node identity [AWT-EventQueue-0]
2018-08-14 16:09:07,700 xml.AbstractSerialConnectionConfigXml INFO? - Starting to connect for "LocoNet" [main]
2018-08-14 16:09:08,093 locobufferusb.LocoBufferUsbAdapter??? INFO? - LocoBuffer-USB adapter set hardware flow control, mode=2 RTSCTS_OUT=2 RTSCTS_IN=1 [main]
2018-08-14 16:09:08,095 locobuffer.LocoBufferAdapter????????? INFO? - COM8 port opened at 57600 baud with DTR: true RTS: true DSR: true CTS: true? CD: false [main]
2018-08-14 16:09:08,154 loconet.LnPacketizer????????????????? INFO? - lnPacketizer Started [main]
2018-08-14 16:09:08,567 util.FileUtilSupport????????????????? INFO? - File path program: is C:\Program Files (x86)\JMRI\ [main]
2018-08-14 16:09:08,568 util.FileUtilSupport????????????????? INFO? - File path preference: is C:\Users\James\JMRI\Automation_test_layout\ [main]
2018-08-14 16:09:08,568 util.FileUtilSupport????????????????? INFO? - File path profile: is C:\Users\James\JMRI\Automation_test_layout\ [main]
2018-08-14 16:09:08,568 util.FileUtilSupport????????????????? INFO? - File path settings: is C:\Users\James\JMRI\ [main]
2018-08-14 16:09:08,568 util.FileUtilSupport????????????????? INFO? - File path home: is C:\Users\James\ [main]
2018-08-14 16:09:08,569 util.FileUtilSupport????????????????? INFO? - File path scripts: is C:\Program Files (x86)\JMRI\jython\ [main]
2018-08-14 16:09:09,539 PanelPro.PanelPro???????????????????? INFO? - Main initialization done [main]
2018-08-14 16:09:17,931 layoutEditor.BlockValueFile?????????? ERROR - block Right curve is not occupied but has a saved value, not setting saved block values [AWT-EventQueue-0]
2018-08-14 16:09:17,941 layoutEditor.BlockValueFile?????????? ERROR - block Right curve is not occupied but has a saved value, not setting saved block values [AWT-EventQueue-0]
2018-08-14 16:09:23,197 layoutEditor.BlockValueFile?????????? ERROR - block Right curve is not occupied but has a saved value, not setting saved block values [Thread-11]
2018-08-14 16:09:53,632 dispatcher.AutoTrainsFrame??????????? INFO? - No Throttle[47573 "The London STANDARD"/IZ6(Full circle from rear)] [AWT-EventQueue-0]
2018-08-14 16:10:13,541 roster.RosterSpeedProfile???????????? ERROR - Speed not available to compute distance travelled [Auto Engineer 4573]
[/code]

The first three errors are present from when JMRI is started - the final INFO and ERROR occur only after the auto active train has started and completed its transit.

I should note that there is a speed profile defined for this locomotive.

Does this assist?

Steve, thanks,

In my case the stop signal was set well in advance of allocations for the on-coming train.

I noticed that at the end of the allocated sections there is always a stop signal. How does the program know the difference between that stop and the dispatcher setting a stop signal?

Nick

Thanks Bob

开云体育

The tool for scanning the cab bus is on the NCE menu, Show Cabs.

So most people with a Power-Pro system use addresses like 50 and higher for
the AIU address. Each board or throttle must have a different number. When
entering a sensor in JMRI, you can use the shorthand of 50:1 for the first
pin of AIU addressed at 50. Just keep in mind that the AIU had 14 pins, but
the starting number works out to every 16 sensor numbers.

-Ken Cameron, Member JMRI Dev Team
www.jmri.org
www.fingerlakeslivesteamers.org
www.cnymod.com
www.syracusemodelrr.org

On 8/14/2018 10:20 AM, Bob via Groups.Io wrote:

AIU is set default not enable.
I solve the problem but further testing will go on. The Belkin Serial to USB that I have been using for serval years does not like Window's 10. I switch out the cable for the serial to usb cable that came with my ESU programmer and things are working fine now. Was able to monitor the cabs, backup, add marcos. set clock etc. So I guess I have to buy the Keyspan Serial to usb now. Thanks for all the help.
Bob

That's likely because the USB chip in the cable probably is a counterfeit version(from China) of the Prolific 23XX family. The new drivers forced with a win10 update won't work with the counterfeit.

The other cable either has a real chip or uses a different manufactured(like FTDI) for the USB conversion.

AIU is set default not enable.
I solve the problem but further testing will go on. The Belkin Serial to USB that I have been using for serval years does not like Window's 10. I switch out the cable for the serial to usb cable that came with my ESU programmer and things are working fine now. Was able to monitor the cabs, backup, add marcos. set clock etc. So I guess I have to buy the Keyspan Serial to usb now. Thanks for all the help.
Bob

Here’s the AIU manual from NCE. Notice it does not suggest using low numbers. The table starts at 4 and goes up, zero is not shown.

I have five starting at #50 and have no problems.

Don Perla

On Aug 14, 2018, at 9:49 AM, John <jonie41@...> wrote:

There is a function within JMRI which will list all devices on the Cab Buss, not
sure where it is though.

With your AIU set to "0", that may cause a problem.

From NCE "Information Station"

PH Pro / PH10 (upto 2014) Total Cabs: 63 maximum (#2 - #64) This also includes
accessory items such as AIU, RB02, Mini Panels.

Others with more knowledge (Dave Heap for example) will most likely chime in
soon.

John

---------- Original Message ----------
From: "Bob via Groups.Io" <GMRC405@...>
Date: August 14, 2018 at 8:25 AM


EPROM version is set for 2006 and later
AIU is set to 0
Baud rate is set to 9600 in Power Pro and JMRI
Com Port is on 6

I use a Belkin Serial to USB Model F5U409. I have had it ever since I started
using JMRI and never had a problems. I haven't used it that much with the
Power Pro system as I have a Power Cab system setup on my bench for programing
and setup of engines. Just started to try to use with the layout to monitor
cabs, backup and make changes to marco's which I have done in the past.
Bob

There is a function within JMRI which will list all devices on the Cab Buss, not
sure where it is though.

With your AIU set to "0", that may cause a problem.

From NCE "Information Station"

PH Pro / PH10 (upto 2014) Total Cabs: 63 maximum (#2 - #64) This also includes
accessory items such as AIU, RB02, Mini Panels.

Others with more knowledge (Dave Heap for example) will most likely chime in
soon.

John

Will this image work with the Pi-Sprog??

Hello James,

I am struggling with similar issues and have been pouring through many, many lines of code to learn how JMRI can truly automate train movements. So far, I also keep running into limitations and examples that are designed for a specific layout and timetable.

Have you tried the Train Controller software from Railroad & Company? This program is free to try and offers a level of sophistication I have not seen elsewhere. I have used this software for over ten years to automate two large layouts in a model railroad museum here in the US. Download the "Gold" version (V9), and the 400+ page manual. You may find this will meet your needs.

Richard

EPROM version is set for 2006 and later
AIU is set to 0
Baud rate is set to 9600 in Power Pro and JMRI
Com Port is on 6

I use a Belkin Serial to USB Model F5U409. I have had it ever since I started using JMRI and never had a problems. I haven't used it that much with the Power Pro system as I have a Power Cab system setup on my bench for programing and setup of engines. Just started to try to use with the layout to monitor cabs, backup and make changes to marco's which I have done in the past.
Bob

panelheight and panelwidth are the size of the underlying panel itself.

When it opens, windowheight and windowwidth are how big a window to display. (If that’s enough smaller, scrollbars are used) But note that your local preferences override these: If you’ve resized the panel in the past, the window preferences will open it at the same place and size as it was, even if you change these.

Plain height and width are still there for compatibility, but were deprecated a long time ago. Doesn’t matter if you remove them; they’re not read if the “panelX” and “windowX” forms are present.

Bob

On Aug 14, 2018, at 7:25 AM, Nick Brownsberger <nbrownsbe@...> wrote:

In my panel's xml file, <LayoutEditor, what is the difference between

height="676" width="1893" windowheight="364" windowwidth="951" panelheight="676" panelwidth="1893"

I'm trying to reduce the size of the panel by eliminating the extra space. (Maybe I don't really need to, but...) Also sometimes, especially now after I've mucked with these setting, the panel opens without all the layout pieces shown. I have to zoom out and then back in to get everything to display.

Thanks,
Nick

--
Bob Jacobsen
rgj1927@...

George,

From my view, the bigger use for a document would be as an overview or guide
to JMRI. It would try to document the concepts and thoughts behind JMRI and
how to figure out which parts you want to use and how to find them. This
would get to the point of knowing which screens you need to work with. Then
the help on those screens would provide the details of what you need to
know.

The advantage of this split would be these documents would not age as
quickly since the contents they cover don't change that fast and they don't
have the lower level details that tend to change quickly in comparison. I'm
not a document type, so I get my info from the details. I can see how this
would help those know where to start. The help screens are only good if you
find the right ones.

Now the counterpoint to the manual idea would be more of the short, focused,
YouTube videos on specific steps or topics. This seems to be more the way of
the modern mind. Granted much of the audience has the prior version of
minds.

-Ken Cameron, Member JMRI Dev Team
www.jmri.org
www.fingerlakeslivesteamers.org
www.cnymod.com
www.syracusemodelrr.org

Hi Nick

1. Is there a difference between a "dispatcher hold" and just setting a signal to stop? I had one of the trains 'allocate' through and then run through a stop signal I had set. (I have sys con readout with debug info if needed.)
For Auto trains under SML "Hold" or "Stop" may stop the train. In SSL "flashing red" means "STOOOOPPPPP!", and is never ignored. If a signals stop it may stop. I know that sounds odd but when a train enters the block after the "go" signal we are notified the signal is now "stop", sometimes we are notified its "stop" before we are notified of the new block change, so we ignore it if the next block is allocated to us and is unoccupied. So setting the signal to Stop, or Hold may fail if the train is already in the block. A lot of the processes are happening in parallel, so receiving events out of order is common place.
2. (Issue) Clicking "stop all trains" won't prevent a paused train from restarting when the "pause is over" listener goes off. With more than one train running and then having a problem, I would rather not have a paused train start moving in the middle of it.?
I have seen this, its a bug, along with trains that aren't scheduled to run yet starting up when there time comes. I've always thought of this as a guideline rather than a rule!
3. (Issue)?The Target Speed for an auto train entering a multi-block section is not being set correctly.
Yes, your correct.?

?

Steve G.