"DCC" is the name standardized system established by the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA). The signal on the rails is standardized and the control variables for the basic loco functions involving the motor are standardized. This means any ones locomotive with a DCC decoder can be run by anyone's DCC control system. It is non-proprietary.
so can you control accessories. Yes, you can control anything if you put a DCC decoder in it. There many stationary decoders (do not control motors) available as cheap as 10-12 dollars. Motor decoders for HO start as low 15-20. Motors that require more than about 1.5 amps require heavier duty decoders with usually cost int he 50 dollar range for a motor only decoder. sound decoders generally run over 100. Many modern models can use the less than 1.5 amp rated decoders. Most older ones need heavier ones.
