The best system depends on what you're planning. Are you doing walk around? Want wireless? How many locomotives run at once? What size is your layout? midsize means different thing to different people -- for me midsize is 300-600 square feet.
I am using NCE power pro R for my 14x23 ft walk around layout. For me wireless was the key reason to go dcc, but your situation may be different.
Enjoy
Paul
Take time and do a lot of reading. Try to set some realistic goals for what you would like to do. Do you want to include sound? How much do you want to spend for a system, loco or two. You will most likely want to buy a loco, with or without sound, ready to operate if you do not have experience soldering and working on the inside of locos. Diesel will probably be the better way to go also.
Going from the DC World to the DCC World is a large step. So much more can be done in the DCC World. It can become very frustrating if you try to proceed to quickly. I know by experience but the change can be very satisfying.
Picking a system might be challenge as they all vary in what they can do. You will no doubt get many suggestions. I use the NCE Power Cab as it is upgradeable.
Good luck.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
Matthew,
There are a number of very good DCC systems available out on the market. I would suggest that you study up on DCC first before making any DCC system purchases. A good place to start is the DCC for Beginners primer on the Tony's Train Exchange web site. That should answer a number of your questions, as well as give you a better foundation in helping you choose the DCC system that will best fit YOUR needs.
Another good reference is Lionel Strang's DCC Made Easy:
Lionel does a great job of putting things in very understandable terms. Your LHS might have a copy of it. If not, any online bookstore (e.g. Amazon.com) should carry it.
Hope that helps...
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Hello yet again everyone,
I am pretty new to bigger model railroading and I have never used a DCC device and have no idea what I need to buy or what to do with it. I guess I'm hoping that someone can give me a good idea of a how I need to go about equipping and wiring my new layout, so I can do this while I lay benchwork and track. The layout will be mid-sized and have maybe three or four operators at a time. I plan to have controllable switches, up to 10 or 15 engines on the layout operating during a session, and signals to be wired in. Possibly lights too. ANY suggestions would be great. Thanks.