SHOW Schedule:

• Warley; Saturday & Sunday 2nd & 3rd of December (NEC, Birmingham)
• Model Rail Scotland: 23rd, 24th & 25th February 2007 (SEC, Glasgow)
• PECO DCC Weekend: 9th & 10th of June 2007 (Pecorama, Beer, Devon)
• Hartlepool Model railway exhibition: 14th & 15th July 2007 (Hartlepool)

Trade Show Reports
A short overview of shows that we have attended in the past months:

1) National Model Railroad Association (Philadelphia, USA)

2) Peco DCC weekend (Beer, Devon)

NMRA Show report:
We thought that an update on what's happening in the USA would be appropriate, and hopefully interesting for you all.  I decided to attend the show after a discussion with Dr Ziegler (Zimo) and Art Leuscher (Zimo agents for North America)  We planned to discuss upcoming development plans (more on which, later in the year!) and to launch the MX620 'N' scale decoder, and the MX690 Large scale sound decoder (See Peco show report for more details) In addition I wanted to meet with some of the incredible people who have been working with us over the past few months, and to boldly seek out new products, not yet sought! I also thought it may be a chance to sample a little of that fabulous American Beer (Honest, I typed that with a straight face!)
The show took place from the 6th to the 10th of July, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the PA convention centre, which is located adjacent to the Reading terminal; Philadelphia's original rail terminal and was open for 8 hours per day!  As I used to spend 2 out of 4 weeks in Philly several years ago, and still have friends there, the decision was made!

All the major DCC manufacturers were there, including Zimo, with Dr Zeigler attending the stand to demonstrate the fabulous large scale sound decoder, and the new small scale decoders (of which we now have stock!) and I had a great time assisting the manning of the stand, America modellers requirements aren't much different to ours, but boy, they are bigger!

 ESU were demonstrating their ECOS, having five units on the stand (possibly the entire worlds production, as it's the most of those units I've ever seen in one place!) Interestingly, Zimo were the only manufacturer to have a choice of computer control demonstrated on the stand, with both Route setting, and full automation, plus the Zimo unique 'autonomous operation' they set the standard for the next generation of control at the show.

Digitrax were displaying their full range, though they didn't have any new items on the stand, I did have a very long, and fascinating conversation with Zana Ireland, on their plans in Europe, and I can assure you that they are taking their place at the top, alongside Zimo very seriously indeed.

NCE also weren't announcing new items, but had a very impressive stand, with multiple demo layouts on, and were very popular with the visitors. It was nice to meet the folks from Lenz North America, and compare notes, as they (alongside ESU) and Zimo were the 'token' European manufacturers, obviously, in America the local manufactures have the advantage, but I can assure you the the Europeans drive the innovation.

CMX were showing the monster 'G' scale track cleaner, ever bit as good as the popular smaller scales, but with true 'G' for grunt!

Other than DCC approximately 1/3rd of the hall was given over to demonstration layouts.  Thomas was much in evidence, as was that lad on the broom stick (Harry something....?) and Lego had a very nice layout occupying several 10's of square yards, extremely realistic from a distance!

Mainstream modelling of course was the major occupier, with 'Z' scale very much in evidence, a little surprising given our cousin's pre-occupation with size, but then until you've seen a 20 yard long by 4 yard wide 'Z' layout, you've not been amazed!

Much 'HO' gauge of course, with modular building being the focus of many clubs layouts, it would appear that club members built individual modules, of various sizes (there is a NMRA standard module size apparently!) which were fitted together for the club exhibition layout.  This lead to some interesting transients, but overall, added interest to what can be the 'ginormous' and sometime onerous task of building a large (or huge!) exhibition club layout.

A particularly interesting exhibit was the 200 yard long, 'L' shaped 'El' layout, this modelled the ubiquitous Elevated mass transit systems, famous in New York and Chicago, and consisted of four 3" gauge trolleys hurtling about on the single track layout, all very impressive, until, whilst phoning my wife, I was interrupted by a large 'crash' from behind, as one trolley shunted another!  The operator assured me this happens all the time, and after experiencing an American taxi service, I didn't need to ask if this was prototypical practice!

As for new products, We reached agreement with a number of suppliers and will soon be launching some very nice products, one of which is the superb range of illuminated signs from Lightworks, these scale model neon billboards have to be seen to be believed, the colours are stunning, and the animation operates just like the real thing. These models have to be the sensation of the year! We shall also be stocking the experimenters kit, which contains everything you need to make your own custom designed signs. 
We'll be adding animated pictures of these products to our site soon, but honestly, they don't do justice to the vibrancy of the actual sign. 
We're also bringing in a high density - low cost accessory decoder, point setting indicator, and PC based throttle system, along with innovational loco speed traps and a useful servo adaptor, permitting you to use model R/C type servos on your layout.

We would be interested in knowing your response to our stocking high quality US locomotives, as I was much taken by the quality available.  We would supply these to order, and with your choice of decoder fitted.  Please email us at info@dccsupplies.com if you wish to comment or order.

Peco DCC Show Report:

Held over the weekend of the 9th and 10th of June, and featured all the major players in the DCC world under one (canvas) roof; Of course DCC Supplies were there, representing Zimo, alongside Southwest Digital and Gaugemaster, and with Marklin and Bachman across the asle, it was a very noisy corner indeed - 'G' scale chuffs from our stand mixed with the throb of diesels and the whirr of electrics - Sound was truly the subtitle of this event!  We were proud to introduce the Fantasonics engineering range of ambient sound recordings at the show, alongside the Dream player, and with all the noise, these sounds were far from lost, indeed they did exactly what they are supposed to do, and provided am audio backdrop for the locomotive stars of the show! 

Zimo were previewing the large scale sound decoder, the first in the line of 2nd generation sound decoders, featuring all the high quality features of the non-sound units, these provide premium quality sound, at a surprisingly low price.  The large scale unit will be available at the end of July, with the other scales following near Autumn time - If you're looking for sound, it's worth waiting a while!

The UK debut of ESTWGJ software which provides route setting and route protection facilities via a PC and mouse, or touch screen.  The software recreates a power box environment, and is totally customisable.  DCC supplies are pleased to announce that they have agreed to distribute this software in the UK.  More details will follow, during product development.

Southwest digital were demonstrating their full range of sounds, along with the rather spiffing ESU ECOS controller, this futuristically styled beastly certainly looks the part, and if desk top control is your ideal, then this is certainly one to look at.

Hornby debuted the new DCC controllers, and they look like being a favourite for the entry level and young user, just what the hobby needs, after all, whom among us would be in the hobby today, if it weren't for Hornby?

It was great to meet so many people, who until now have just been voices on the end of a phone, and also to meet so many of my peers in the DCC world, Saturday night in the Dolphin hotel was a melting pot of DCC innovation, with plans and plots being hatched over a beer or three!

I must give a special thanks to Peter Martin, who kindly tolerated us over the weekend, and allowed us to share space with his Zimo controller, and painstakingly detailed continental HO layout: B.W. Mayfeld. I must also thank Peco, who organised an efficient and fun show, and whom were the ideal hosts; Long may this event stay on the calendar!

The Peco 2006 Team (Left to Right)