I agree with several of the posts above, see if you can visit a couple of layouts within a reasonable distance. You don't have to limit your visit to an S gauge layout, there are probably O gauge layouts using the TMCC/Legacy systems and you might even find an O gauge or HO gauge layout in your area running DCC. I am thinking that you would like to see a comparison of the two systems to find your preference in how they operate. I have seen only a few layouts running DCC and a few including my own that use TMCC/Legacy, I just found the Lionel systems simpler to operate, I probably give some things up but enjoy the ease of operating with Legacy.
Ray