C/MRI System Support Resources

 

Additional Publications

The following articles and books, listed in chronological order, provide a wealth of support information covering the C/MRI and its applications to model railroading:

“Signaling Made Easier”, a 4-part series published in Model Railroader, January through April 2004

“Using State of the Art Electronics to Enhance Operations”, article published in NMRA magazine Scale Rails, March 2007

“C/MRI User’s Manual Version 3.1”, this book, last updated in 2013, with 414 pages focuses on the general purpose interfacing cards and is the main source of information for getting started with the C/MRI. It is the complete thesis on building and installing the C/MRI including hundreds of figures, parts lists, instructions, photos and text covering SMINI, SUSC, RS485 and Input/Output (I/O) cards, making connections, simplified wiring all coupled with abundant software and application examples.

“Railroader’s C/MRI Application Handbook – Volume 1 Enhancements – Version 3.0”, this book, last updated in 2014, with 386 pages covers optimized occupancy detection, prototypical turnout control, grade crossing warning systems, integration with DCC, computer’s role, operational considerations coupled with system design, system cost estimating, cost tradeoffs within system design, simplified wiring and computerized diagnostics

“Railroader’s C/MRI Application Handbook – Volume 2 Signaling – Version 3.0”, this book, last updated in 2014,  with 422 pages covers understanding railroad signals both prototype and model, Automatic Block Signals (ABS), Absolute Permissive Block (APB) signaling, Centralize Traffic Control (CTC), protecting hand operated switches within signal territory, poor man’s CTC operating w/o dispatcher,  programming CTC, dynamic graphic displays and emulating modern dispatching centers

“Understanding Railroad Signals – Parts 1, 2, 3 and 4”, initial parts of an ongoing series on Railroad Signaling Prototype and Model published in Model Railroad Craftsman, December 2015  through March 2016

***********

 

Fundamentally speaking the User’s Manual covers the more generalized circuit boards and their application while the Volumes 1 and 2 Railroader's Handbook cover the application of the more specialized C/MRI family of circuit boards. Additionally, the Handbook deals with the more advanced railroading applications. One way of looking at the situation is that the Application Handbooks tend to take off from the point where the User's Manual leaves off.

When combined together, the C/MRI User's Manual as well as Volumes 1 and 2 of the Railroader's Application Handbook provide over 1200 pages of extensive software coverage including updated standard serial protocol subroutines, real-time software control, a multitude of application examples plus system test programs, and automated diagnostics. All software is incorporated in a companion CD enclosed with the books and with much downloadable from this web site. To fit the background and needs of different readers, the CD examples include an assortment of languages including BASIC, QuickBASIC, Visual Basic, Pascal and C++.

 

The C/MRI Users Group on Yahoo Groups

One of the best deals you will ever receive is to join the C/MRI User’s Group on Yahoo. It’s free! Simply click JOIN NOW! to join the C/MRI Users Group. This group allows users of Bruce Chubb's Computer/Model Railroad Interface system to share information and solutions.

With approximately 1400 active participants, and multi-hundreds more that monitor the site without participating, the C/MRI User’s Group provides an outstanding knowledge base for asking questions and sharing C/MRI related information. Besides the directly received benefits, group participation is a great place to develop long lasting friendships that can be priceless.

These lists are moderated by independent parties and are not the property of JLC Enterprises Inc. All comments and opinions expressed on the lists are the responsibility of the author of the posting and not that of JLC Enterprises Inc. JLC Enterprises Inc. has no influence over what is said on these lists.

 

Additional Support

Many users have reported receiving excellent design and system support and especially software support from C/MRI proponent Bill Carr. He is a recurrent contributor on the C/MRI User’s Group answering questions posted by other users. Additionally, Bill can be reached at ConrailBillCMRI@Aol.com. If in doubt of your capabilities, give consideration to having SLIQ Electronics assemble and test at least your first few boards and ConrailBill help with your software.

 

Telephone and Email Support

You may also contact JLC Enterprises directly via the About Us page or use the form below.