im pretty new so some help would be good thanks david[?]
yes you can get DCC for N guage… a little harder to install because of the size of the loco
now is the best time to think about dcc. you can buy locomotives that are decoder ready or decoder equiped. wiring is simpler with only two heavy gauge wires (14awg) for the whole layout. no need to wire for block control. buy a dcc setup that can be expanded as your layout and wallet capacity grows. if you have older locos there are several co’s that can mill the frames to fit a decoder in or even install them for you. aztec is one. i’m going to install dcc on my n scale layout sometime this month.
DCC and N scale has been around for a while now, its no longer “new” technology. Most engines will come “decoder ready” if not “decoder equiped.” The reason it is good to get into DCC when you are newer is this: what blocks a lot of guys from converting to DCC from DC is that they have a large number of engines and the cost of conversion is intimidating for them. If you are newer in the hobby and relatively young guy, go DCC. The hobby is making large strides in DCC and DC is rapidly falling behind.
I made this statement in another forum and some guy got angry with me, but MRC is feeling the onslaught of DCC as the numbers that are purchasing its DC power packs is dropping. MRC was “the” power pack to own, now many don’t own one, or the one or two they do own are power the lights on their layout or animation.
Bachman has come out with a cheap starter system and you might consider it, if bucks aren’t as plentiful as you would wish.
Yes, many DCC systems work with all scales, Digitrax’s has a switch for use with N, HO, or O/G scales. As someone already said, it is a little hard to install the decoders, but they are smaller than a penny, so it is manageable. You can even get N scale with sound in it.
Hope this help, and have fun,
Greg