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Two wires to your track and yer done installing the new DCC.Now having said that, you need to think about your situation regarding reverse loops, wiring sizes and capacities.If there are reversing loops, you will need a auto reverser of some sort or a smart command station that will do it for you.Also you need to choose a system that you can feel comfortable with. My big bazillion binary crunching power hog of a Super Chief might be way too much. Some start with basic DCC systems that barely are above trainset level.Others choose systems like the Zephyr or similar and expand.Your engines WITHOUT decoders on board will have to be re-evaluated for future use in DCC. You might find easy plug-n-go or painful hardwiring with butchery and botched jobs. DCC gives each of your decoder equippted engines a name. Usually the last two digits on the side of the cab but not always. These engines all listen to the DCC system for any commands you send that might be addressed specifically to them. Choo choo 3 might trundle past the yard switcher 5 on it's way out of the yard. Both might be working totally different directions. But choo choo three is under your present control.That is why I say two wires and yer done. Rip up and toss all of that DC crap. But wait!!! here is more...You might want to keep your blocks and use power protection so that if one part of the layout shorts you dont bring the entire thing to it's knees.One thing is gauranteed. DCC is a signal and requires good trackwork. Any crappy track or poor connections WILL show up.My switches listen to the DCC station for thier commands as well. But they are kept apart with thier own wall power and thier own seperate wiring system in a different set of color.Example...DCC Track power.. Red and black.Switch wiring.. yellow and green.and so on.BEFORE you hook the brand shiney new DCC system TO the layout... FIND the Program Track connections, usually A and B somewhere on the command station with the words PROG.Sit down with a engine that has a decoder on board and LEARN to program on a seperate peice of track. Until you and your engine teach each other how to obey or understand each other you will not be able to control your layout. So you and your engine will spend lots of time alone with each other on the program track.Learn how to reset that engine. That is your first lesson.Learn to write down any numbers you input or change into that engine. Lesson Two. You WILL forget.Learn how to give the engine a name.. usually the last two digits on the cab. Then attempt to control that engine with another decoder equipped engine sitting still.BUY a comfortable reading chair and a strong light. You will become more familar with that DCC manual more than the Manual at Arms in Basic or any textbook you have ever touched in school. DCC IS NOT something that you can just do without LOTS of reading and learning.You are human. Humans make mistakes. Therefore "Keep it simple STUPID" If... your engine misbehaves or something isnt quite working the way you like it to... THERE is USUALLY a specific reason that can SOMETIMES be found.Various groups and internet sources are availible and growing as people find new bugs or uses never dreamed of 10 years ago.Once you get past all of that... DCC is a journey. Enjoy!
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