THE JMRI <==> TNTJMRI/TNTDCC-MB INTERFACE

TNT Homepage

An exciting new capability of TNT is the recently developed JMRI interface.
This program is in the initial developmental phase for a more elaborate system.

Download TNTJMRI.EXE

JMRI.RR An example Railroad setup is in TNT3.ZIP.
You need both to start TNTJMRI!

You will also need the complete files set from the TNT downloads
Required for TNTFILE, TNTPRO and Rosters, Routes, etc.

The TNTJMRI.EXE program offers DCC-MB users an interface to multiple JAVA Model Railroad Interface (JMRI) throttles, a fully functional JMRI/TNT fastclock, access to the simple JMRI decoder programmer, and implements the four IR LED train position sensors available from within TNT, while still providing for keyboard, TV IR Remote, and joystick locomotive control.

JMRI offers it's users DECODER PRO, PANEL PRO, and SOUND PRO. JMRI offers a complete downloadable system, it has wonderful user support, and many highly knowledgable users and developers.

To learn more about JMRI visit the JMRI website.

Go here to get the Digitrax LocoNet Personal Use Edition 1.0 Specification.

TNTJMRI.EXE is a preliminary program. TNTJMRI was written to allow JMRI, using the Loconet Personal Use Edition documentation, to access DOS based DCC-MB based systems.

To use TNTJMRI install it into the TNT directory of the DOS computer. Connect the DOS computer to another computer that will be running JMRI. It should work with any application of JMRI. The connection is made using an RS-232 Com port serial null modem cable. One cable that is known to work is Cables Unlimited null modem cable.

Once the cable is installed on communications port number one (COM1:) of the DOS/TNT computer to whichever port you choose to use on the JMRI computer, open the JMRI DecoderPro or PanelPro application and pull down the EDIT menu and select PREFERENCES. On this screen select Loconet Locobuffer (plain), not USB. Set it to use 19,200 baud rate from whichever port you have cabled to (typically COM1:). Select SAVE to retain this setup. You will need to close, and reopen, the JMRI program for the changes to take effect.

Then, start JMRI running on WINDOWS computer, you should get a message on the opening screen that states Locobuffer on (your COM port). If not, go back to setup and adjust settings and save and restart JMRI.

If you wish to actually run a loco using your DCC-MB system, you will need to run TNTDCC.COM on the DOS computer before starting TNTJMRI.EXE. TNTDCC.COM is the same as DCC-MB.COM, except that it has corrected joystick input, and may soon offer other abilities. It is fully compatable with DCC-MB type hardware.

NOTE:
TNTDCC.COM is the required driver for TNT programs due to the joystick corrections.
You will likely need to recalibrate your Joystick throttles.
Use the Utilities from within TNTJMRI to calibrate your joysticks.
Now, run TNTJMRI.EXE from the C:/TNT/ command prompt (assuming you have save TNTJMRI in the TNT directory). The program will start like the TNT program and present the Main TNT operations menu screen. You can re-calibrate your Joysticks from the Utilities menu. Save your railroad setup from the sa[V]e option on the Main screen to save your settings.

If you get a Device Timeout on the DOS machine you might have to restart TNTJMRI. Also, make sure JMRI is running and configured correctly on computer number one before starting TNTJMRI on computer 2.

TNTJMRI is discussed more fully in the User's Manual. Open for saving the latest Manual here .

Attempting to operate DCC-MB.COM or TNTDCC.COM without associated hardware will cause the DOS computer to stop and wait for hardware interrupt input(which will never occur). If you do not have the hardware, do not start DCC-MB.COM or TNTDCC.COM to run this program. TNT and TNTJMRI can be run without the DCC-MB or TNTDCC drivers and in this fashion can be used to simulate actual operation, they will not run a train. The CALL INTERRUPTs to the hardware are not enabled when the message "TNTDCC NOT LOADED" is visible on the lower portion of the Main Menu screen.

TNTJMRI, and TNT, require DCC-MB.COM or TNTDCC.COM and associated hardware to actually operate trains. Also, detectors will not operate if you don't have them, obviously, so, unless you have installed the IR LED/Photo LED detectors described on the TNT pages, the detector options won't function.

The TEST programs are offered here for persons wishing to monitor JMRI Loconet messages or examine the sample source code.