You know, after I made this post, I figured some "helpful" guy would give this answer. While I could do this, I figured posting about it on a forum where someone with concrete experience knew would be six of one, half dozen of the other. I'd like to repeat my question, hoping I can get an answer. Naturally, if I don't, I'll try alternatives, but I was hoping for a courteous answer.
Best bet would to call 1-800-4-TRAINS and ask. I think due to the cost it may be DC only..
Neal
Looking at the product decription on the Walthers site for their current-run HO 8-40B DC only loco, I see they don't make any reference to a DCC socket or say anything like "DCC ready". Has anyone got their hands on one of these and found out whether it has one, and if it does, if it's 8-pin or 9-pin? This would naturally help in putting in an order for a decoder with it.