[34C]

Kyle,

Do you have a model shop somewhere locally where you can see the products side by side? That may help with making a decision. The larger radius points available from Peco in both the 75 and 100 ranges look so much better than regular set-track, particularly if operating long modern rolling stock, and offer much more reliable running. Same thing with using flexible track for much larger radius curves than available in set-track. Code 75 flexible is actually easier to use than code 100, both in laying and cutting, as the rail section is smaller. The real joy in using flexible track is that the layout can be very precisely tailored to fit the location, and you can do nice stuff like gentle transitions into curves, rather than the abrupt straight - tight radius curve appearance of set-track.

No need to dump your existing code 100 either if going code 75, Peco have available a convertor rail joiner; or alternatively you can crush flat one end of a code 100 joiner, and solder half a code 75 joiner on top. This means it can be used in storage sidings, or for any concealed non-scenic type trackwork which most layouts have.

 

[34C]

The core idea with DCC is a single master control unit to run a layout, which can have connected to it multiple handsets, and also multiple power supplies. In this way a DCC system is expandable (to the design limits of the particular system) to enable as many operators and locos as required to work on the layout.

The set up as drawn will work perfectly well as two independent layouts, but a problem will arise when attempting to move a loco between the red and black zones, in either direction. Simply, because the two Select units are independent, if the loco is on the 'red' Select, the 'black' Select will not have the information for speed and direction. So on arriving on the 'black' track it will be up to the operator to set matching speed and direction if there is not to be a sudden stop. There may be some problems as the wheels bridged any insulating rail breaks too, but this could be overcome by a switched transfer track. Nothing wrong with choosing to do this, but DCC makes provision for an easier way!

I do not know whether the Select unit has the provision to use one as the master, connecting the second one as a slave. As Gary wrote the Elite does make this provision, acting as the master controller, with the Select units as slave handsets for further operators.