newinho,
Your comment on infrared hooked my attention. I thought DCC was going to be great. untill I discovered wireless walk around throttles.So I upgraded to IR. It worked most of the time. There was the problem. Crashes. I upgraded to radio, Best toy in the train room. I SHOULD HAVE STARTED THERE.
I ended up with super chief radio, and am a great fan. There are others, but I like my SCr.
Newinho,
I have a very similar situation. I've built a 4x8 to hold me until I finish off my basement and can implement a much larger layout. I planned my layout in broader terms and am attacking it in small steps - that way the details aren't "in cement" and can be adapted as needed. That said, I did pick the era, region and theme of my railroad - that dictates a lot of what I purchase. I'm using Digitrax Zephyr - I don't think 10 locos simultaneously will be a problem, although I won't run that many at one time. I'm using 14g wire for my buss and 20 (or maybe it's 22) for my track feeders.
How big is "huge"? How many engines drawing power will you reasonably expect to run on your large layout? That determines power requirements, but also the amount of wire and gauge of it that you will have to use. It could be that only two amps will suffice, but I highly doubt it. If you are anticipating a fairly large layout, chances are excellent that you will add another 4-12 locomotives before too long has past. Now you are into 5 amp territory. That means another power supply, or adding boosters(s).
So, if you want to have a well-managed entry into the hobby, think seriously about what is likely to confront you within 12-24 months, and deal with that up front. For now, on the 4X8, a simple starter DCC system will be just fine. Once you begin to power longer lengths of track, on the real layout as you open expanses of it to play on, you will need more wire. You will eventually need some short protection circuitry and its associated network of separated power districts, and probably a booster or two. Also, how will you stay near wandering trains if your base station, and your paddle tethered closely to it, are way over there? Will you use an infra-red system, a radio system so that you can follow along, or will you use hard-points to plug in your throttle? What kind of throttle will do this for you, and what system?
These are the questions that should help you to do your research.
Good luck.
Welcome to the forum.
You should try the search box at the bottom of the page. Just type in one of your topics and click [search] you will find many comprehensive and useful answers. Asking which DCC system is best is like asking which automobile is best. You will see MANY conflicting replies.
My advice is 1) research (as you are already doing)
2) Take it slowly or at least moderately. Don't try to do everything at once. There is too much to learn.
Good luck,
Karl
The mind is like a parachute. It works better when it's open. www.stremy.net