Layout Power Set-up?

[Mathew]

I have a Prodigy Express DCC outift to use on my 2'x8' layout. Is the power supply that came with it enough or would I need to add something else? I think it would be but I thought I would ask. I only plan on running 1 or 2 small switchers (SW1500's or MP15's) with maybe a strobe on top of the cabs. I havent decided on if I want to use sound or not.

I also thought about fixing it so that I can have either DC or DCC so that I can use my other locos from time to time until I can get them switched over to DCC. I have an idea on how I could do that but I'll take suggestions.

Also Im not sure if this is the right section for this question but feel free to move if needed.

[wvsecondary]

That should be more than sufficent for your needs. If you had lots of layout and lots of locos you would need an upgrade.
Easiest way to have both is with a toggle switch and this is fairly easy to add. Most LHS have these in stock or even the Shack.

[CIOR]

You have enough to power probably 8 engines without much issue there.
When you add sound you have to say that engine is now 2 in what power it uses.

I think your safe.

[CIOR]

Ya, this is the right place.

[CIOR]

To answer the question on the DC and DCC on the layout, YES. Like Jay said, you need a DPDT toggle.

To be honest, this was more common back in the late 90's when everyone started the conversion to DCC.
I did it on the layout I had at that time, and I also buried the DPDT toggle behind the main control panel to keep me from switching back and forth all the time. That is how accidents happen. And YES, more then a few engines took hits back in that time from with "quick switches" back and forth without having all the engines changed out.
I had a track that would hold 9 engines on it, it had its own disconnect and I would store my DCC engines on it when using DC.

If you only have a couple engines then I usually tell people to just make the jump and hold off using those DC engines until you have the money to upgrade them. Sorta resist the urge.

[Mathew]

I was thinking the power supply it came with was enough for what Im using but I wanted to make sure before I started tryin to intstall it on the layout. I may or may not do both DC and DCC, with what matt had mention about locos taking hits, that would just really eat at me if I did that. With the decoder choices, Im not too picky, as long as they work for what I want to accomplish, and there what I can afford.