The DCS Explorer is really not intended to be added to a layout, rather, it's intended to be the power and control for the layout.
The Transformer is the power for the Explorer. You connect your power supply into the Explorer and then connect the Explorer to the track. Unlike say, the TMCC base. Were you connect the power supply to the track AND the base is connected to the outside rail separately from the power supply.
I have had no problems running LC with the track powered through the Explorer. you just have to use the MTH app to turn the power on to the track, then use the Lionel app to run the LC engine.