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It depends on the engine type and brand as to what decoder fits into it. You don't say how current your engines are and all the stuff that is helpful. So if you have an older engine - pre-dcc era - you will probably have to mill some of the frame to acquire the space you need. But don't despair, Loys Toys (I think it is LT) will take your old frame and send you a milled frame for your engine, quite cheaply, around $10 or something like that. The new Digitrax DN123 should work in terms of size, other good brands are out there with small decoders. Decoding in N scale isn't the challenge it use to be. More options and smaller decoders make it much easier. There are a couple of problem engines, the Kato Mikado had a bad rep for decoders, don't know if that is still true. But by and large, most engines will be decoded without to much hassle. Todays engines can be ordered with decoders and others come "plug and play" which means you take an old board out and install a new board and your off to the races. I'm sure you've heard that the Zephyr is the best entry level system on the market today (that could change at any time) but with the Zephyr, you have enough of a system and a good expandable system so that you can get fancier down the line. I'm not sure what you mean by running 10 to 15 engines, do you mean at once. That would mean a minimum of 7 to 8 operators all double heading. If all 15 engines are moving at once, you'll want the 5 amp power supply. If you've got the bucks, I'd jump to the Chief as anything you plan on doing in the future, and anything you will do in the future but you aren't aware of it now, can be handled by the Chief. That statement includes computer running, extensive signalling, and other more esoteric needs you don't have right now. I have the Chief which is being used a 13 by 9 double decked layout in N scale and I'm glad I have it, as my needs have changed and grown since I originally purchased it. When I initially got it, I thought it was overkill, now I've changed my tune.
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