RailKernel does not provide a separate PDF manual that you need to search through to find information. Apart from the content you are reading now, there is no separate help section on the website. All documentation is integrated directly into the desktop application, exactly where it is needed. Simply click one of the many (i) information buttons throughout the application or open the Help menu to access detailed explanations and guidance.
Installing RailKernel on Windows is simple. After downloading the ZIP file, unzip it and run the included EXE installer. Windows may display warnings or virus-related messages because RailKernel is a new application and does not yet have a long reputation history. You may need to bypass these warnings manually. The macOS release is notarized by Apple and should install without issues. The Linux packages are straightforward to install using the standard package management tools of your distribution.
Getting started with RailKernel is very easy. After installation, start the application. RailKernel asks for the IP address of your Command Station and connects to it. Then create a new project, select a track catalogue containing the geometry of your rails, and start drawing. You can draw straights, curves and turnouts until your layout is complete. Define accessories and feedbacks, and RailKernel generates the blocks for you. Done. Start driving.
Release 11.01 supports the Märklin CS3 and CS3+. For Release 11.02, we intend to add support for additional command stations, starting with the ESU ECoS. RailKernel is built around abstraction layers and uses a virtual command station architecture, allowing the software to interact with different command stations through a common interface. As a result, users experience a consistent workflow regardless of the command station being used.
Automatic driving in RailKernel is based on blocks, reservations and routes. Trains reserve track ahead before moving, preventing collisions and reducing the risk of deadlocks. RailKernel supports both Simple Moves, where you define the exact path, and Route Moves, where RailKernel calculates the route between two blocks automatically.
Your RailKernel projects are stored in XML files. Like most model railway control applications, RailKernel stores everything you draw, define and import. This includes layouts, blocks, feedbacks, accessories, locomotives and routes. In addition, RailKernel also stores train positions and train activities, allowing a session to be resumed more easily. The software even remembers which windows were open and restores them automatically when the project is reopened.
RailKernel provides several tools to help diagnose and resolve problems. First, the application uses the log4j2 logging framework, which produces detailed log files that can be invaluable when investigating issues. Within RailKernel itself, the Drive Log is especially useful for automatic driving and offers extensive filtering options to follow train activities and system decisions. Finally, the Project Statistics tool provides an overview of your layout and configuration, helping identify items that may require attention or correction.
