New to DCC and feeling pretty dumb

Hi Ron,
Yes HO. Sorry I didn’t make that clear. I will absolutely take your recommendation to avoid the EZ track. I’ve got quite a bit of Atlas and compatible Tyco track, switched, etc. and started laying things out. I’m using an Atlas layout Great Eastern Trunk as a first stab.

Does that apply to N scale also?

Yes, perhaps even more so… N Scale is the sweet spot for Unitrack, a Plethora (capital P) of trackage available.