The DCC Crowd would like you to believe that is just around the corner, it's NOT. Although the DCC operators make more noise, the dirty little secret that they don't talk about, is that they are still the minority, and that there are still more DC operators, than there are DCC operators.
I would expect DC to be around a LOOONNGGG time yet. What may likely happen is that most mid and high-end locomotives will come equipped with DUAL-MODE decoders, that will allow the locomotives to be operated on EITHER DC or DCC layouts. Dual-mode decoders have been available for years and are nothing new, and likely have been Factory installed in more locomotives than DCC ONLY decoders.
The entry level "Train sets" will likely take even longer to go DCC. The dual-mode decoder allows a manufacturer to market their locomotives to larger number of customers than either DC only or DCC only locomotives, at a very slight increase in cost.
The DC operator will be able to buy new motive power for a very long time to come yet, the sky is not falling.
Doug
May your flanges always stay BETWEEN the rails
Nothing says you can't start with DC and if you change your mind convert to DCC. The wiring is basically the same. If I had DC loco's I'd convert a couple of them at first and run both DCC and DC with a switch to determine which would be on that day. Over time you slowly convert a larger amount of loco's over and eventually move totally to DCC. Some people are totally happy with DC and will stay there. It's all a personal choice.
Springfield PA
AndrewRRDo you think DC will be eventually phased out and hard to find?
OK DCC chaps, fess up, how many of you read this question and felt like answering in a way specifically to provoke Sheldon? Tempting as it is I resisted!!
Actually, I can't imagine DC phasing out any time in the near future. It really is not all that hard to rip out a decoder and convert a loco to pure DC control anyway, even if manufacturers stopped producing DC only locos.
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
Im planning a new layout. All my locos are DC. Wondering if I should go to DCC or not. Do you think DC will be eventually phased out and hard to find? I only plan on running two locos simultaneously.