Settle MRF: The free show celebrating model railways!
There's not much free in life these days. So when something is, and it promises to be good, it feels like a little ‘win’!
Model railway accessory manufacturer, DCC Concepts’ annual open day this year has flourished into a local model railway exhibition with layout and trade support (and more activities around its home base of Settle).
Offered the opportunity to attend on July 19-20 at Victoria Hall in the town (other venues around the town are taking part in the celebratory event, too – see below), we jumped at the chance once more and will attend with our selection of the latest new model railway locomotives and rolling stock.
Organiser of the show and ‘face’ of DCC Concepts, Richard Brighton has great hopes for the weekend. Keen to ‘spill the beans’ on the event while sharing what drives him and new product development at DCC Concepts, we took him to one side for a few moments to bring you up to speed about what promises to be this summer’s most-fun model railway gathering.
Download the free showguide here
Modelling courses are proposed throughout the weekend, but booking is advised in advance. Find the contact details on the DCC Concepts website.
Howard Smith: Can you tell us about your journey with DCC Concepts and how your personal interest in model railways shaped the company's direction?
Richard Brighton: In 2016, I was working for LG Electronics as their regional manager for the North of England & Scotland. I knew Richard Johnson as we had several DCC Concepts products on our layout in Sheffield, built with my father. On one of Richard’s visits to the UK, I met with him, and he offered me an opportunity to open and develop the UK branch of DCC Concepts in Settle – something which was so successful, Richard moved the whole business over here the following year!
We’ve developed a fantastic and unique team since then, with the collective knowledge and energy simply not found anywhere else! Model Railways have been in my blood since being a small child, hearing my father sound a whistle as he descended to the cellar which housed the model railway and running so fast down the stairs there was always a danger of serious injury! I’d like to believe that I still have this enthusiasm and carry that with me in my current role here.
H: DCC Concepts is known for its innovation in digital control systems. What do you see as the next big leap in model railway technology?
R: We have several very exciting new products lined up – but I’m not telling you what they are! Wait and see!
Our exclusive solenoid point motors, available in single or triple packs here developed by DCC Concepts are cost-effective and reliable. Pair with our decoders here, to make them digital.
H: Your products range from lighting to control systems and mechanical accessories. How do you decide which product areas to invest in next?
R: Our guiding principle is that we will always look at something in our hobby which people find challenging or frustrating. We strive to remove these frustrations and create products which make rail modelling easier and more enjoyable.
H: How does DCC Concepts balance staying true to the traditional model railway hobbyist while embracing new technologies like automation and app control?
R: More than 75% of our range is suitable for use on any layout. From weathering powders to track cleaners, from dropper wire to LEDs, these are essential items for any railway modeller whatever control method they choose. We always try to consider modellers from all backgrounds when we develop new products – and some of the new releases coming soon may surprise you!
DCC Concepts powered rolling roads are popular for locomotive fault-finding, lubricating, or 'running in'. Whether used on RTR models or for testing kit-built models, you'll easily identify 'wobbly wheels' or dodgy valvegear! See the full range, here.
H: What role does customer feedback play in product development? Can you share an example of a product that evolved significantly through user input?
R: Customer feedback is vital in product development. We can do all the testing possible here in Settle, but the real learning starts when people start installing and using our kit! All our products evolve over time in this way, whether it be CDU discharge buttons on solenoid decoders, intelligent power management in Cobalt motors, preset motor control options on Zen decoders or changing the gauge spacers in our Rolling Road packs – we are constantly speaking with our customers, listening to feedback and evolving.
H: Looking ahead, what are your product innovation and global reach ambitions for DCC Concepts in the next 5 to 10 years?
R: I believe there is still some misunderstanding from modellers about who we are and what we make. Our Cobalt motors and Zen decoders are widely known about – but we manufacture a huge range of products that people are surprised about when they find out! Products such as our track bed, PowerBase and ‘real-steel’ OO gauge track are less well-known and offer fantastic benefits to modellers!
I think we still have a long way to go here in the UK, whilst also expanding our customer base in our secondary markets of Australia and the United States. Australia continues to grow strongly for us, with fantastic support from our dealers. However, the US is an interesting challenge, and we need more effort and exposure there to grow.
'Clatterbridge' by Ben Knipe, one of a handful of layouts expected at the show. Download the free showguide here
H: What’s your vision for the Settle Model Railway Show, and how do you ensure it remains relevant and exciting for both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers to the hobby?
R: The Settle Model Rail Festival is very much “me”. From inception, I wanted it to be a celebration of our hobby. Somewhere modellers could meet and exchange ideas over a coffee (or cask ale). A show with a real festival atmosphere - live music, outdoor eating and drinking and something for everyone. An event which involves the whole town, the railway, the volunteer groups and the local venues so that everyone benefits.
Most importantly, it needed to be free – free to attend, free to exhibit, free to trade, free to explore. I want people to come to Settle in July and leave with great memories of an enjoyable day spent with like-minded people sharing their enthusiasm and joy of railway modelling.
Of course, I couldn’t do it without the help and support of our friends at Victoria Hall, the myriad of volunteer groups and supporters in the town and our wonderful trade partners – so a massive “thank-you” is due to all of them!
Download the free showguide here
