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Bob, To achieve what you desire on your layout (HO 4' x 8', DCC w/sound, 1950s era) what you are going to need is the following: 1. A DCC & Sound equipped locomotive - this can be obtained by purchasing one already so equipped, or by equipping a locomotive that does not come already equipped. For a beginner, I would recommend getting one with sound and DCC already built in. Broadway Limited Imports (BLI) and LifeLike Proto 2000 (P2K)models are generally highly recommended and are available in units appropriate for the 1950s (BLI SW or NW series and smaller late steam, P2K E6 or GP7). You'll want to keep away from big steam power, since this will not work well on the tight radius turns normally found on a 4 x 8 layout. 2. A DCC system - Basic systems start well under $100 and go up from there. Bachmann EZ DCC can be found for under $60 online. There are also good beginner sets from Atlas (made by Lenz), MRC (both Prodigy and Prodigy Advance), Lenz, Digitrax and NCE. Basically, you want to compare the features that matter to you. I chose the MRC Prodigy Advance over the Digitrax Zephyr mainly because it comes with a handheld throttle as opposed to a console mounted throttle. It also offered all the features I thought I would ever need and was reasonably priced. 3. Track - There are several options when it comes to track. Several manufacturers are making "roadbed" type sectional track, which allows you to lay your track quickly to get your trains up and running. They are generally not compatible with other brands of roadbed track, but can be made to work if you get the adapters that work with regular track. The other options are either flex track or sectional track on cork or some similar type of roadbed that you install yourself. This allows more flexibility (especially with flex track, no pun intended), since you are not limited to only the shapes and sizes of pieces available from the manufacturers. 4. Rolling stock - There is a lot of rolling stock available from a variety of manufacturers. For the 1950s era, you want to keep your freight cars to the 40 or 50 foot lengths, for the most part. Don't forget that railroads still had cabooses back then! For passenger trains, you can run almost anything from the 1920s on until (but not including) the Amtrak era, since they didn't change that much since then. Basically, you can run either heavyweight or lightweight passenger cars in the roadname of your choice. You may want to do as others have suggested in visiting your local hobby shop (if you have one). They may even be willing to put together a package deal on all the components you will require to build your layout. The internet is a great place to buy the things you've settled on, but you can't look and touch things the way you can in the hobby shop. Last, but not least, have fun with your railroading!
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