From 1991 to today, my goal and vision has remained the same - provide you, my fellow hobbyist, with excellent software to run your digital railroad, and programming tools for Microsoft's Visual Studio products. But my number 1 goal is to make sure that we all have software that is fun to use. After all, that is why we do what we do - to have fun!

My vision was to add computer control to my model railroad and have a wireless throttle/artificial Intelligence systems to control my layout. At the same time, I wanted to have an automatic train running on the layout. I wanted to use a computer running as a collision avoidance system to control the automated trains.

KAM's Train Tools Model railroad Client -Server Architecture sold since July 1997
Visions are what drive us to get up in the morning and to do things that no one else has achieved (or even thought possible). Vision drives us to innovate. My vision has driven me over the years to learn new skills, implement new ideas, build products and openly exchange information with users as peers. I founded KAM with this principle, and designed “The Conductor" to exchange information between our users, with the purpose of creating Software for the Digital RailRoad^"tm.

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KAMRR, Inc History
KAM RR, Inc. was formed in 2008 to release the 5th generation of KAM's Model Railroad software. KAM's Train Server software, version 5 is a new product, designed from KAM's client server architecture, created in 1997, and sold at the 1997 NMRA convention in Madison Wisconsin.  KAM created The Worlds first Model Railroad Client Server Software Program called Train Server. KAMRR first product "Classic Panel" was introduced at the NMRA 2010 convention in Milwaukie Wisconsin.

KAM's Train Server software implemented concepts which today are best described today as virtualization, and are the cornerstone of KAM's client server products.  KAM's approach was so unique, that the software allowed true client server computing with local and networked distributed programs, sharing I/O and other capabilities.  KAM developed this technology first, and sold the product in July 1997.

In Fall 2010, KAM RR, Inc. will release the next generation of model railroad software  - Train Tools - Generation 5.

2010

Aug 30.  In my IT services company, I have just launched a new website for KAMIND IT products called www.mstunes.com. This web site is for Small Businesses that wish to reduce their cost of Information Technology expenses by moving to Microsoft Online Services (BPOS). Our IT business has two different customers, the sub 15 seat users and above 20 seat users. Our Information technology web site for more than 20 users is located at www.kamind.net.

July 17: I introduced the first KAMRR product "Classic Panel".  The first version of Classic Panel was a purchased early 2001, and I added some enhancements to it. In 2004, I introduced a new version of Classic Panel, this was a fully distributed panel, allowing multiple panels to communicate with the network and with each other and share data over KAM's Train XML protocol. Version 5 of Train XML protocol was completed in July, and will be rolled out with the 5th Generation product release later this year.  As far as I know, Classic Panel is the only panel with a visual editor and supports easy to use signal configurations as it has since its introduction in 2004.

The clinic room had a CTCparts panel in it from the previous clinic session. I never saw a ctcparts.com panel before (i did not know they had a demo unit) - it was really cool. It looked and function just like my Classic Panel software. I had received many emails and calls over the years about where to purchase KAM's ctc panel.  I have always sent them sent them Mike Burgett's site  www.ctcparts.com.

May - New patent issued.

March 15: I begin the process of new website development, new applications development to support the collaboration nature of KAM's software products that we had envision back in 1997.   We will introduce this slowly over the next 9 months and see everyone in Sacramento.

March 5: In 2006, Robert Jacobsen sued my company, my wife and myself (KAM is owned by myself and my wife) on March 16, 2006 using a free attorney.   The lawsuit was settled, and the release (aka license to steal) was terminated.   The summary of the lawsuit may be found at this link http://www.trainpriority.com/jmri_kam_legal_settlement.htm.

I always believe that you should tell the truth, and correct problems as fast as you can and make it right. (as I have always done).  When I was informed that the conversion tool left out the copyright notice, I was suprize.   This was clearly wrong and after I looked into it with my developer, it turned out to be a simple mistake.  I fixed the problem and replaced the software within 59 days.  I would have done this with or without litigation.

Honesty and communications are core values that my wife and I live by.   It is sad that others do share this core value, and look to blame someone else for their failings.  I guess that I was simply very naive, that the environment I worked in the Military, Ford and Intel strived for honesty and personal ethics as a core value.  We all make mistakes (try to avoid them if you can).  I have always believed that your correct mistakes as fast as you can and move on.  Why this case went on for 4 years, I will never know.  Our new license agreement as well as all court documents are  online and should clarify any misunderstanding moving forward.

2009
Train Tools - Generation 5 software, is still under planning.  Development is stalled, until after the lawsuit is settled.  If the case is settled out of court, there will be a mutual release.  A mutual release (in the legal industry it is referred to as a license to steal) is a covenant not to sue and it is only for the parties in the case.  Covenants do not apply to anyone else and are time limited.

In normal situations, both parties are responsible enough to do their own thing.   This case is anything but normal.  This case will either go to trial or end of with a mutual release.  I chose to stopped development (with the exception of bug fixes) and to protect my ideas and designs for my own use.  KAM is a small company.  My software products will be available when the lawsuit is over.  This case is about $1200 in product sales and a text file conversion tool.

2008
In late 2008, KAMRR, Inc was created to distribute the 5th Generation of Model Railroad Train software, called Train Tools -  Generation 5.  This is a new product development.  All existing product shipments from KAMIND will cease. KAMRR development is stalled until the lawsuit  is resolved.

June: Decoder Commander Release 3 software product started shipping in June. We are very pleased with the product and direction that the programming Software has taken. KAM has been using decoder templates in its software as early as 1994. We have added new features and functionality. We have been selling Client Server Model Train software with templates since July 1997.

Our updated 3rd party interface protocol is now shipping with TS3.4.400 products (and later). We are pleased with the base protocol set, and look forward to our Train Server 5 release in Fall 2010. The Train XML™ protocol will allow our customers and third party developers to advance their software products to the next generation software standard.  There is no cost to use Train XML interface, as long as the software only communicates to KAM certified hardware products.

May:  I established a partnership with Link-Vet ™  Link-Vet is the premier supplier of Dog DNA breed identification testing that allows you to determine the ancestry of your pet. Every copy of Link-Vet Dog DNA breed identification test kits are distributed with a trial copy of Engine Commander software and a certificate for a $10 discount on the purchase of any Train Tools software product. The product bundle is designed to increase the awareness of model railroading (see NMRA.org for information about model railroading)  for the new beginning model railroader.  

Train Server release TS 4.30.400 is now shipping to all customers.  We have just completed Windows XP Spk 3 evaluation and Vista Spk1 testing.    During the past few months we have been working hard on Train server 5.0 which we plan to ship by end of year 2010.  At KAM we have always been driven to innovate, where others continue to copy our advancements in model railroading. KAM’s Train Server client-server network product first sold July 1997, years before all other model railroad software manufactures.

June:  product release will ship our first DVD and we will be including Microsoft Visual Express 2008 tool kit with our product. Along with this package we have released an updated Train Server that is designed to work with our Computer Dispatcher Web product. We are excited about this release. KAM' software is open, uses the latest Microsoft Development tools and is extensible with Microsoft Visual Studio Express.

April:  I was notified that KAM won the Green Light award for the support and advancement of the model railroad hobby.  We are very pleased with this award.

January:  I introduce a new web conferencing product Computer Dispatcher Web. This is a full function VoIP (Voice over IP) product with multiuser video conferencing USB camera support. This conference product will allow model railroaders to share operation based dispatching and run model train layouts using KAM software or any third party application.

We have been testing this hosted software subscription service since June 2007, and are now offering this product for $59 per year (less than $5 per month!). The conferencing product will allow up to 15 model railroad users around the world to simultaneously share dispatcher operations on the control of a model railroad.   I am excited with the opportunity that this product offers and look forward to moving model railroad operation's software to the next level, In July 1997 at the NMRA train show, I sold the worlds first sold the worlds first  Client Server Model Railroad software product.

2007
I am planning a new release of Computer Dispatcher PRO in late 2008 that will address compatibility problems with Windows XP and Microsoft Vista-32/Vista-64. One of the problems that we need to solve with Vista, is  Microsoft's SQL Server database  integration and the new security model. Versions of vista will ship with SQL Express. We rolled out SQL server express support in our software products in late October 2006. The SQL database design was built from our 1997 internal database table structure in Train server.   

We had additional products planned for 2007, but our Signal Commander software and Consist Commander slipped in to 2008 possibly 2009.

2006
As 2006 rolls on by, we have made some big changes in our product distribution. In the retail space, I added three new retailers. They are in the UK, US and South Africa. I also added ZTC Controls (www.ztccontrols.co.uk) as an OEM.  KAM will supply ZTC Controls with “Footplate Commander” and a Black 5 splash screen. Years ago, I had the opportunity to drive a Black 5! ZTC controls is supplying their command station with a demo version of our Train Tools software. Train Tools is such a high performance software package that they were able to tune the ZTC command station for maximum data throughput.

We added a new OEM in December 2006. ZTC (www.ztccontrols.co.uk) is now shipping Classic Panel with ZTC's computer interface. ZTC liked KAM's approach to signaling and accessory control. Our customers like the ease of use and simplicity of using our 1940 dispatcher panel. Classic Panel version 1.0 was announced in late 1999, and demonstrated back in June 2000 at the NMRA trade show. Since June, we are on our third generation of Classic Panel software.  Classic Panel runs on any Microsoft .net platform as well as Microsoft new Vista operating system.

Nov - I have changed the decoder definitions from a local source file to a MS SQL decoder database.  I published the database design and received a registered copyright on my work.  I also published the contents of the database and received registered copyright on the contents.  My design was built from my own software.  The migration of Decoder Commander to use the decoder database was very simple for me to do. In my early years I did a lot of work on database software.

I am looking at more software enhancements for my products.  We have added “Software for the Digital Railroad” – this is a new program that will ship with all KAM software products and manage the software installation for the user. This program will assist users in making sure their systems can install the correct software from KAM. During the installation, we will detect the correct version of software to be installed, either Vista-32 or Vista-64 and install the vista gadgets for monitoring the model railroad thought KAM interface manager. 

March 16 - Jacobsen sued my company, myself and my wife (my wife owns part of my company) in what will turn out to be a very nasty and very litigious lawsuit.  As I understand, Jacobsen was assigned a free attorney by the Electronic Freedom Foundation (EFF) to sue a small 2 person company composed of myself and my wife.

March 15 -  I Contacted the NMRA working group chairman, Dedrick Voss on the format for the submission of the new decoder XML specification.  I wanted to complete my task that was assigned to me by the old Co-Chair of the NMRA working group, Robert Jacobsen and Peter Ely.

2005
Our focus in 2005, was to migrate all of the client software to a new set of developer tools that remote software supporting the Rail Driver computer based throttle and full scale simulators running model railroads. Rail driver interface is unique as it allows the interface to be local to the user’s system, or remote across the internet using Train Server XML protocol. KAM’s Train Server architecture supports the demands and performance of a user-to-hardware interface that is unique in the industry.   In July 2005, we released Loco CE 2.0.

Our focus in 2005 was to complete the migrate all of the client software to a new set of developer tools that are XML and .Net based.   Along with the 2.0 software, we released our new Train Server SDK kits, with a Visual Studio Express 2005 tutorial. This new tools allow users greater flexibility in developing model railroad applications using Microsoft tools like Visual Basic .net Express.

In July 2005 we introduced Decoder Commander® software. Decoder Commander is an advanced programmer designed to read manufacturer’s specifications from our SQL Decoder Database, DCC Commander .  Decoder commander is the result of two development efforts stretching back into the early 90's. These include KAM's Universal programmers designed for train server in late 90's, and Bouwens Engineering Train Wizard Programmer (which begun its life on a MAC), and started its migration to the PC in the late 90’s.

As part of the development effort in 2005, we Introduced Train Server release 3.0, and addressed the problem areas identified with the developer interface and the tools sets required to build model railroad applications. With the number of new applications that we have running on Train Server, the quality of our server product has improved. We have the capability to stress Train Server in different ways to ensure the optimum performance for the user operating their model railroad.

2004
Classic Panel  (December 5, 2004 press release) was rewritten from the ground up to support the .NET runtime to improve performance and to allow portability to the handheld devices. Classic Panel version 3 was released in the Winter of 2004. (Classic Panel version 1  and version 2 were Java based and only beta released). Classic Panel 3, a .Net design from the bottom up, incorporates a GUI editor, APB and ABS signals, 2 color aspects, and full interlock support. Classic Panel is the next generation 1940 dispatcher panel designed for the modeler. Classic Panel integrates new signal technology, distributed network support, location information and portability to the Windows CE PDA devices.

Nov - The Jerry Britton lawsuit was about Briton willful violation of KAM' trademark. Jerry Britton, an active JMRI member, purchased compuerdispatcherpro.com to promote JMRI software. Negotiations broke down when Jerry Britton threaten to point KAM's product domain to a porn site. Jerry Britton, a JMRI member was willfully promoting a JMRI products using KAM's copyrighted product name. This case was settled out of court with a domain exchange and no financial payment required by Jerry Britton. I wanted to resolve issues so both parties to move on.  In the negotiations earlier, we were talking about a domain exchange.  I felt that the domain transfer has to be competed as a sign of good faith. I transferred the domain decoerpro.com to JMRI user, Jerry Britton.  I wanted the agreement to specify that  JMRI domain must pointed to jmri.sourceforge.com website. 

Oct - Robert Jacobsen (JMRI webmaster) changed the copyright date of the JMRI web site from 2004 to 1997 (click for changed). Not sure why JMRI wanted to public show a false date of 2004, since the JMRI software never existed unitl sometime in 2001.

July:  At the Seattle NMRA working group meeting, I volunteered to draft a common decoder xml specification for the NMRA working group.  The working group chair, Robert Jacobsen and Peter Ely assigned the task to KAM.

May  - KAM introduce Rail Driver Commander® remote software supporting the Rail Driver computer based throttle and full scale simulators running model railroads. Rail driver interface is unique where the interface can be local to the user system, or remote across the internet using Train Server XML protocol. KAM’s Train Server architecture supports the demands and performance of a user-to-hardware interface that is unique in the industry.

Feb – I purchased decoderpro.com, the domain was never used, and I promptly forgot I purchased it.

2003
Train Server software reached another milestone in 2003.   KAM introduced the support for the first full duplex wireless hand held throttle using Microsoft Windows CE devices, called  Loco CE®. Loco CE  was first announced in October 2001, alpha in 2002,  and integrates commercial computer Windows CE - PDA products into the model railroad environment using off the shelf computer equipment. Loco CE is the OEM software product included in Lenz Set LI   (www.lenz.com) in the United States.

We published the distributed XML communications protocol  designed from our 1997 published client server Programming Interface. (API).  The XML protocol stream allows distributed model railroad clients to operate over a remote network using TCP/IP and the XML data/command protocol.  The Xml interface is an extension of the original API that we published in 1997.  In our 1997 release of Train Server, we designed the API in such a way as to reduce the data traffic and information exchange between the client and a remote server. 

Train Server architecture clearly extends the boundary on what can be done to support the end user and developer. There are many third party developers that have use the same concepts in their software to solve the problems that we discovered in the early years in distributed model railroad computing, after all we were the first in the world to provide client server model railroad control. many said it could not be done, but we accomplished this in July 1997 and sold our first product.

2002
KAM's software programs are categorized into three different types of applications: these are Manual control, Layout automation and Dispatcher operation. Each of these class of applications are different, and require different types of capabilities to operate and control the model railroad. KAM's philosophy is to foster the development of simple applications that solve the modeler’s problem, instead of a do-everything solution, designed by committee, complex to operate, and built with non-Microsoft programming tools.

2001
Was a year of changes and new directions.  We begin our focus on supporting wireless applications on model PDA devices. We expected these to become quite common in the future. Our goal was to improve the Train Server platform to allow us to build applications at a faster pace. In 2001, we laid the ground work for next versions of the client server libraries called the remote client .net libraries.

My first product to use this new interface was Loco Ce. I demonstrated a version of this software at the Model Railroad Convention in 2001 and later announced this as the Loco Ce product ( Oct 2001).  As a CTC panel solution, I had Classic Panel software in the market and we were collecting user feedback.  Classic Panel was a 1940 dispatcher panel.  My goal was to create a simple user interface for controlling Model railroads.  Based on our users feedback, we have Classic Panel software that we see today. Classic Panel implements full block control for DCC , years before other software clones duplicated the functionality. 

2000
July:  I had our first Computer Dispatcher Pro Clinic  at San Jose NMRA convention. Our customers refer to Computer Dispatcher as Dispatcher Pro. We have some photos from our gallery for the product introduction. 

Classic Panel was designed to fill in the missing software component for manual operation. The software was originally designed using the Sun Java language.  The designed base was a 1940’s Great Western Dispatcher’s panel.  KAM's software product was available as a beta on our CDROMs and was distributed widely but was never production released.  After Microsoft stopped supporting the Java language in all of its products, the Java version of Classic Panel was canceled along with any future Java development. /p>

1999
KAM Industries expanded to Europe with inclusion of Computer Dispatcher Lite as part of the KAM’s software product line. Computer Dispatcher Lite was designed for the automation conscious model railroad customer, and is a port of Bouwens Engineering’s Train Wizard application. Computer Dispatcher Lite was later renamed to Layout Commander® software to reduce the confusion with Computer Dispatcher Pro. Computer Dispatcher Pro is a professional dispatching program, while layout commander is a Layout Automation program. The difference between these applications is that Layout Commander has locomotive control. Computer Dispatcher Pro is a dispatching program.

1998
KAM Industries was incorporated in 1998 as KAMIND Associates, Inc. KAMIND has introduced the Train Server architecture with the Microsoft Client Server networked COM/DCOM protocol. KAM added COM/DCOM support to the Commercial Dispatcher control application from Train Track for model railroads.   Train Track designed a version of software called Track Driver Professional 32. Commercial Railroad software have no concept of Train and Device control as we think of them in model railroads. Model railroads are a new concepts and the techniques to control them are new. KAM has blazed this trail before many others.

KAM extended the Train Track software to support model trains and the NMRA DCC protocols using Train Server API. These extensions were the first time Train Track's software was integrated into Microsoft client - server COM/DCOM architecture.

KAM has an exclusive world wide license agreement for Train Tracks software for its use with non CLASS 1 Railroads.

1997
At the NMRA Convention and national Train show, I introduced, demonstrated and sold client-server software product.  KAM's product used KAM's proposed NMRA API  and was sold for end users and developers (and competitors) to use. KAM's programming API was the first multi-user, multi- programmed Client/Server interface that allows developers to create software applications that are not tied to a manufacturer’s command station hardware. (July 31, 1997 press release). 

The API was a clear innovation and addressed many issues that modelers had about operating systems interoperability. The proposed NMRA API could easily be ported to different processor architectures. The NMRA API is still included in KAM’s software products today, but we recommend developers use our .NET Manage library interface optimized for Microsoft Visual Express tools.

Train Server was established as the programming standard overnight. Later KAM established another first, by releasing the first model railroad CDROM. KAM software CDROM included the necessary software to install KAM’s applications as well as the video tutorials on how to use the products. Train Server uses advanced technology concepts to support client server applications. One of these concepts is decoder Templates/Models. These have been in Train Server since its introduction and is documented in the NMRA proposed API specification.

KAMs first software CDROM was placed in Model Railroading , as well as National Train Show convention bags for the next couple of years to allow users to try it. KAM's goal was to foster new development ideas to grow the hobby. KAM has always felt that to grow the hobby, a standard needs to be developed – hence the proposed NMRA API and our new .NET Managed interface.

Since the Train Server's Client-Server introduction, KAM has shipped over 100,000 CD-ROMs to end users and developers. Train Server is such an innovative and unique programming environment and ships with the latest Microsoft developers tools.

1996 - 1991
KAM's first software product was Engine Commander for the Marklin command stations. I still have a copy of Engine Commander 1.0 that I produced back in 1991 for windows. It is amazing how KAM software has evolved since then.

DCC established a way in which all manufacturers can use the same components on the model railroad. Myself and Ken Rice (another member of the working group) working with the NMRA committee developed the NMRA serial command station interface. This interface led to the common command station protocol that soon become the de-facto ASCII standard interface for computers and command stations  NCE (Power House pro) and EasyDCC  use a version of the interface protocols in their command stations today, but are in the process of moving to a binary protocol.

NMRA DCC Protocol Standard and Common Development API

All developers are faced with common tasks that are repeated over and over again. KAM’s software is designed to address this duplication of effort. To facilitate this, in 1993, I joined the NMRA working group and contributed to the establishment of the DCC (Digital Command Control) standard for the embedded control protocol for the locomotive.  In 1997,  I created the KAM Train Server API.  I converted this protocol to Train XML® (www.trainxml.com), to promote the client server architecture I pioneered in 1997.