What you are expecting from a DCC system may affect how big a system you need. If you decide to buy a smaller 'starter' system, buy one that can be expanded. The Digitrax 'Zephyr' and NCE 'Power Cab' system have 'growth' built into them. A lot of folks look at the 'features' and buy the minimum they feel they need right now. A good example is a computer interface. I do not know how many times folks tell me they would never use that feature, but 6 months later whine about not being able to use Decoder Pro software to program their DCC engines. Programming from the throttle can be a real pain.
Another thing is the throttles - for the most part they are not interchangeable between DCC systems. Try out several brands and see what is comfortable for you. Also see what local clubs are using. The club in my area and most of the individual layouts in the area use Digitrax - That is what I am using. In my case, I got into DCC early and my layout uses a Digitrax 'Chief' system - I really do not need that big of a system(I could never run 120 engines at the same time). The smaller 'Zephyr' system was not available back then(or was the NCE Power Cab). If I have folks over, we run maybe 3 trains at the same time. I have gone 'wireless'(2001), and have 2 of the big DT400R throttles. Other than decoders, my DCC purchases over the past 3 years have been minimal.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
An HO scale club I belong to started out with tethered DC "walk-around" throttles called the "Cooler Crawler" sold by TracTronics Corporation, that could be unplugged and moved to different locations around the layout. With a 20 x 40 foot layout, plugging in and unplugging throttles as trains moved from one location to another became something of a chore, especially when someone would be fuming and fussing that he had lost control of his train when it was apparent that he had not plugged the throttle back in.
When we decided to go with DCC, our choice was an NCE Power Pro 5 Amp system with 4 radio throttles and two 5 Amp boosters. The layout has grown into another room and we simply added another 5 Amp booster and receiving antenna. We chose NCE because the system can be upgraded without having to send anything back to the company, and Digitrax had not yet developed radio throttles.
I chose the same system for my home HO scale layout and have two radio throttles that can also be used at the club if necessary during an open house.
As other club members learned the advantages of wireless DCC, the DC control system fell by the wayside. Even though the layout can sitll be operated using the DC walk-around throttles, no one ever uses them except to test run a new locomotive until a decoder can be installed.
As others have said, try to find a club or hobby shop and see what they're using, especially if they have radio throttles so you can see the benefits of wireless control, and can get a feel for the controllers to see how you like the various brands.
Welcome aboard!
Good advice already. My suggestion is to try the throttle units. These will be your interface to the system, and if you're uncomfortable with the throttle, nothing the rest of the system can do will make up for that. I like the great big buttons of my Lenz system, personally.
I'm happy with my tethered throttles. My layout is room-sized, and I can run trains anywhere from a central location. I've added jacks around the layout, in case I really want to stand there rather than operate from the center. Most systems accomodate this easily. Or, consider the option of radio-linked throttles which don't require a wire back to your base.
An important question is not how many locos you have, but how many locos you will run at the same time. This will affect the power requirements of the system, and also the "controllability" of the engines. Think about how many people it will take to operate your layout. On mine, I can run a pair of trains on continuous-running loops. Once I start them up, they can run all day with no intervention. Then, I can really take control of a third train, switching sidings or whatever. I've found that juggling any more than 3 trains is a recipe for accidents, so that's my limit.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
You could have 500 locos on your roster, but if you only run them one at a time then you may not need a top of the line system.
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
If you will stand by your various figures and predictions as stated, yes, you might as well go for the whole hog now so that you have on hand what you would like to design-in and modify/add to as you 'grow'. It won't be strictly necessary, but it will save you shipping costs if nothing else, and assuming you don't need additional components, such as a booster or two.
On the other hand, suppose you get three months into using this Giant X DCC and find that you hate it. Now you have to unload it and order more stuff, or at least other stuff. What would that be that you don't anticapte preferring today? (read- do your homework so that if you decide to get the whole hog now, you won't have made a costly mistake. Make sure you know precisely what your future needs will be, what architecture will best serve you, etc.)
-Crandell
Should I get a top of the line DCC control system right from the start or start out smaller and grow from there. My I anticipate eventually having about 30 - 40 Locos on my roster and eventually adding sound etc. to the system. (price is not an issue for start) Recomendations appreciated. Thanks