I have a number of older locomotives, conventional and PS-1. There are a couple that'll get a TMCC upgrade, but the rest will get DCC (This is because I have a couple that there isn't a DCC LokSound sound file for them, but there is an ERR sound board.). I don't think DCC is behind Legacy, but is on par, if not better. With a LokSound L decoder, you get excellent sounds and amazing speed control, all for less then TMCC or PS-3 upgrades. Plus they are smaller and so fit in locomotives you could never upgrade otherwise. And with the work THOR73 has done and so kindly shared you can get full smoke and remote couplers with DCC.
After seeing what my brother had with a LokSound decoder in N gauge I did some research and found the L decoder for O. I bought one and installed it in my conventional Lionel 0-6-0 dockside switcher. It now has all LED lighting, full sounds, and amazing low speed. Lionel has never offered command on this locomotive (Lion Chief does not count. That's remote control not command IMHO.) but now I have it with command. So my layout will be a mix of Legacy/TMCC and DCC. I'll wire it to switch between the two as I do not recommend running them at the same time (You can search on my post on that subject matter.), but it will not hurt either system of locomotive if they get powered up under the wrong system.
I wish Atlas would offer DCC drop in for 3R locomotives too, I would start buying from them if they did. Otherwise I'll stick to Lionel (Legacy) or new MTH PS-3 (DCC) locomotives, as well as conventional or PS-1 to convert to DCC.
