When a new n-scale locomotive is listed as "DCC Ready" will it still operate on a simple DC wired layout? I'm new at this, so thanks for answering my newbie question.
It means that it is a dc loco that is ready for a dcc decoder to be put in. Yes it will operate on dc.
Any DCC ready loco is set up to run as is on DC. It will run from stop to max speed by turning the throttle (rheostat) to vary the track voltage seen by the loco, where the voltage goes from track to the wheels to the motor.
The DCC ready term can mean several things. As a minimum, the motor is electrical isolated. That makes it easier to convert to DCC, where a decoder is inserted between the track pickups and the motor. In DCC, the track voltage is at max and available to the loco, and the decoder (per instructions from the throttle) adjusts the voltage to the motor as needed. A DCC ready loco nowadays is also likely to have a plug-in capability to add a decoder, making it easy to convert a loco to DCC without hard wiring connections. Look at the manufacturer's descriptions to see how clear they are about what their DCC ready features include.
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
In N-Scale, DCC-ready often means that somebody is selling a board replacement that you can swap in. Switching the boards might be very easy, or it might be a little finicky depending on the specific locomotive.
Digitrax makes it easy to look up which of their products will work with specific engines. They link their instruction so you can see how difficult it might be. MRC, by contrast, doesn't seem to think they need to help you figure out if their products will fit or not.
Strength in diversity!
I'll just add that "DCC Ready" does not mean the engine has a DCC Decoder installed. It will definitely run on DC powered track but will require installation of a DCC decoder to work properly on DCC powered track.
Martin Myers
Thanks for all of your helpful, kind replies.