Any two DCC-equipped engines can be put into a consist to run together. I think what you're asking has more to do with speed / operation. In DCC, speed matching isn't very hard to do, and normally two or more engines can be adjusted (thru the decoder's CV settings) to start, run and stop the same. In DC, it's a lot harder. If one engine is faster than another, you may to add a resistor (or resitors) to the fast one to slow it down to be more in line with the slowpoke.
In my experience locomotive from the same manufacturer don’t nessesarily consist well, ergo I would think it would be hard to generally answer the your question. Perhaps it may be more helpful if you specified a few locomotive you are looking at.
Considering you mention that the locomotives in question are DCC equipped, I think you should be able to speed match most locomotives together.
I personnally don’t have any ScaleTrains, Kato, or BLI locomotives in N scale, so I really can’t give you a good answer.
Perhaps another forum member has more experience with the afore mentioned locomotives.
Regards, Isaac
I model my railroad and you model yours! I model my way and you model yours!
How well do BLI N scale locomotives consist with say Scaletrains and Katos with TCS decoders?