Is there a way i can wire my layout for all of them so i can run DCC , DCS, TMCC, Legacy and other lionel stuff? That way i can get the wire ready so i can essentially tap into all the wiring at once by doing some splices and just turn on the controls i need at the current time IE i run something that will work with DCC then i use that. Or maybe i just have DCC does some layout animations or controls or sounds while running LCS etc?
This has been an interesting thread to say the least. I'm probably one of the few forum members who has all three (DCC/DCS/Legacy) systems on their layout (not that it's any special accomplishment). Unfortunately you can't have DCC and DCS/Legacy active on the rails at the same time even though the wiring to the track is common to all three. I select between DCC and DCS/Legacy via a toggle switch.
I also model in HO and already had a Digitrax system. Long story short I ended up with a new Digitrax system and my old Digitrax Empire Builder was put in retirement. During the rebuild of my O scale layout I decided to pull the old Digitrax system back into service. I am perfectly happy with DCS and Legacy. Both have their individual pros and cons but I enjoy using either of them.
My motivation for adding DCC was:
1. I already had a spare system
2. Most of my former model railroad club friends are in HO scale and all either own Digitrax systems/remotes or are very familiar with their operation. When they visit they don't have to worry about learning a new system. The HO club I was in had a large Digitrax system.
3. I have a ProtoThrottle by Iowa Scaled Engineering that I wanted to use on a few of my O scale engines. Those engines have the stock control boards removed and TCS WoW Sound decoders installed. They are then strictly DCC.
I like the fact that my PS3 engines have an on board DCC decoder. It's not the greatest and isn't as customizable as most other decoders but we still operate with them. They don't have a brake function and I find setting their speed steps to be difficult so I don't use them with the ProtoThrottle.
Knowing how you want to operate your layout and how much powered rolling stock you hope to acquire will go a long way in determining the type of system you end up with. A few engines, or sticking only to engines equipped with a PS3 board and DCC is definitely doable. If you hope to have shelves full of locomotives or only buy Lionel then DCC will be a little more difficult because you have to switch out the control boards. There's a bit of a learning curve there but if I can do it anybody can do it!
I like DCC and it is my preferred control system to use but if I hadn't had a spare system sitting on a shelf I doubt I would have purchased one to add to my layout. We can argue all day about how things "should" be but at the end of it we're forced to deal with things how they are. Good luck with whatever system you decide on and rest assured that when/if you run into a problem someone around here will be more than willing to help you solve it.
Joe Shipbaugh