Jersey bob,
1st I recommend you invest in Barry's book The DCS O Gauge Companion and the OGR Video Guide to DCS, both great educational material for running DCS. You will find that running your conventionals thru the DCS hand held remote gives you exacting control, if you use the side receiver to the Z4K, Barry spells this out nicely in his book. He also gives exacting info on proper wiring and and block building for constructing your DCS layout. Take the time to read Barry's book and also watch Rich on the OGR Video Guide to DCS, this will eliminate most all of your running frustration.
PCRR/Dave
IMO it is always better to over power your layout so you can expand your layout as time goes on. If you happen to have the ZW & KW type transformers in your train inventory remember to use the 10 Amp Scott type Breakers between your transformers and your DCS TIU. Further I highly recommend the use of a Raido Shack 24/18V AC power supply for powering your TIU, the advantages are also spelled out in the DCS O Gauge Companion.
