A Great Easy Time Saver For JMRI And ESU LokSound Decoders

Those of us who know and use the Java Model Railroad Interface (JMRI) know that after you create a roster entry for a locomotive in JMRI you should immediately Read All Sheets of that entry to get all CV settings into JMRI. After that, you are free to change and tweak any of these settings. One serious issue with this read is with LokSound decoders. If you attempt this reading with a LokSound you will probably be close to finished reading War And Peace before it is complete (slight exaggeration).

Thanks to Dave Heap of the JMRI developers group for reminding this writer that if you are running a recent version of JMRI (as of this writing the version is 4.15.5) the procedure is nowhere near as bad as it used to be (time for an upgrade??). Take a look at the following and you will be able to save the cost of a copy of War And Peace.

1. Read the decoder data in your LokProgrammer (anyone with LokSound decoders had better have one of these!!)
2. Export CV List File is available in the Tools menu of LokProgrammer. Give the exported file a ".txt" extension
3. Open your roster entry in a recent version of JMRI
4. There is a File->Import->LokProgrammer CV List File Item of the opened decoder entry (in the File menu of course)
5. Use that to open the CV List File you exported from LokProgrammer
6. Watch the status bar at the bottom of your roster entry. When it changes from "Importing ..." to "OK" you are done and can Save the roster entry

You won't even have time to make a cup of coffee.

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Bachmann Develops Three New Train Models For Siemens Mobility

Philadelphia, PA. . .For immediate release April 24, 2019

Following the success of the HO scale Siemens ACS-64 model train, Bachmann Industries is excited to announce three brand-new HO products: the Charger SC-44 passenger locomotive, the S70 light rail vehicle, and a single-level mainline passenger car.

Bachmann has committed to producing full-featured models similar to the ACS-64 with DCC sound and lighting functions using Siemens Mobility’s original design documentation, and sound files for all three projects. Siemens’ Charger diesel-electric locomotive boasts high-speed, high -efficiency and clean energy performance, and their sleekly modern S70 has been adopted by many light rail systems across the United States. Their inter-city passenger car uses the latest engineering to offer passengers an extremely comfortable ride while providing state-of-the-art conveniences. Bachmann’s Charger models will be the first out of the gate, with a 2020 delivery date.

“Combining Siemens’ acclaimed designs and Bachmann’s modeling expertise, all three products will be sure to thrill any hobbyists who model in the modern era,” said Rich Janyszek, Bachmann’s Senior Vice-President of Sales and Marketing. Spearheading the effort are Dave Ward, Chief Advisor for Siemens Mobility, and Larry Harrington, Vice-President of Product Development for Bachmann Trains.

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Athearn Announces Genesis 2.0

Genesis 2.0 is the latest brand to join the Athearn Trains family. The first model in this new line is the HO scale Electro-Motive Division (EMD) SD90MAC-H. The model is based on the Phase II version of the 6,000 hp, six-axle road locomotive.

The Genesis 2.0 model, scheduled for release in March 2020, will feature all-new tooling, with what the firm calls “better than brass detail.” Other features on the SD90MAC-H include etched-metal see-through steps, illuminated number boxes, and ground effect lighting.

Athearn will offer the SD90MAC-H decorated for Canadian Pacific, EMD demonstrator, Fortescue Metals Group, and Union Pacific. Direct-current models will retail for $249.98. Versions with a dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound decoder with EMD 265H diesel engine sounds will be priced at $339.98.

For more information, visit Athearn's website.

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