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At first, the hobby can be overwhelming - so much to learn. But first a sales pitch I heard given - and believe now. A chap was at the LHS (local hobby shop) and asked which was the most expensive and cheapest scale to be in; I think he wanted cheap...lol. The proprietor said all the scales were equal. Why? Well we addicted hobbyist will spend what we can afford, and then some. So whether we are buying in N scale or G scale the amount spent is about the same. For example, an avid N scaler is likely to buy two or three of the same engines when it comes out, particularly if you are into contemporary running. That same amount of money will buy the G guy one engine. So they both spend the same amounts but get different quantities. For you to get effective advise, narrow your questions down, and do it somewhat systematically as to where you are going in your planning. For example, most guys start out with a "favoured" scale. I would suggest you abandon that approach which about 99.8% of all hobbyist do and instead ask yourself this question. "What scale will make the most effective use of the space I have available?" Don't be afraid to dream big dreams, but as most of us have to do, don't be surprised when you have to compromise or totally eliminate something from your list. For example, I have an 13 1/2 long by 7 foot wide room, widening to 9 1/2 feet about half way down. One thing I wanted was an "empire." Heck, I didn't even like N scale, but my dislike of N scale wasn't as strong as my desire for an "empire." So even though I preferred HO, I knew a room that size would give me a "large small" layout in HO. But in N, I could have my empire. So how did I learn to like N. Well for starters when I visited shows I looked mostly at the N layouts. A group from Tacoma has a Modular layout that is excellent. When I saw that layout, with an excellent scenicking job, I knew I could be happy in N. But the first N engine I brought home and plunked down on bare plywood looked pretty pathetic, I must confess. I have learnt that N engines cry out for scenicking more than HO engines. Secondly, I learnt another important lesson that I have never seen addressed anywhere. A friend of mine invited me and my son to his home as he had a G garden layout (really more of a forest layout) that he wanted to try ops on. He knew my son and I were more into opps, most of his guests just wanted to see the trains run. When I got there, his layout was mostly track on platform with a paucity of structures. That was the first time I actively had to use a very vivid imagination to know where and why to stop and what to do. When I reflected on this on the drive back home, I realized that all scales really need an active imagination to be effective, no matter how well scenicked, and I include guys like Selios's layout. So it seems to me your first choice is to struggle with your scale size. If your equipment is as old as you say and unless it is expensive brass, I would hold your choice of HO in suspended animation for a while, and compare your layout space, your given and druthers, financial considerations, and political boundaries - "No, not there dear!" - and any thing else that might affect you. Then decide on scale. Lots of guys have switched scales, but it is costly. I switched from HO to N and sold around 80% of all my HO equipment; of course at a loss. By the way, I owned then - and still do - a Royal Hudson in HO that cost around $1200. I didn't let that intimidate me from changing scales. DCC - I was tempted to say get yourself a used quality MRC dc power pack and be away to the races. But dc will slowly be setting into the sunset over time. Some new engines you purchase may already have a decoder in it so you will want to take advantage of that. I will list some of the things dcc can do (not all of it is out there in decoders for all scales yet - but it will be) 1) Auto coupling and uncoupling - a great thing for a yard switcher 2) sound 3) directional lighting 4) USP - less dependency on track for power and signals 5) consisting 6) scale speed steps 7) auto-route switch throwing 8) easier computer interface 9) lol... forgot the obvious one - easier wiring due to less blocks (unless computer running) 10) more R&D - there is virtually no R&D happening in dc. In time, I am willing to bet you will see MRC reduce the number of dc power packs available as they realize they are flogging old technology. Hang out in a dcc forum that isn't loaded with a bunch of keener's (Digitrax has the market on all the geeks with the plastic pocket protectors). Why? Well you will feel less intimidated about asking beginner questions and other beginners will ask question there as well. The DCC forum in Atlas is good that way - some really good competent people and lots of beginners. So you can start a thread there like - "Hi, I'm a newbie and don't understand DCC, any help appreciated" - and you will get lots of good responses. Newbie questions are important on a forum. There are lots of lurkers who never really de-cloak and they read the newbie questions in droves, as those questions are their questions. Often lurker's feel intimidated by forums and will spend massive amounts of time lurking, reading, and learning and never post once. So newbie questions are important.
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