There's no shortage of manufacturers producing models and components for DCC layouts these days, and that's a good thing, but it does mean lots of terminology, and that's a bad thing. One area that causes significant confusion is when trying communicate whether a model is designed to operate on a DCC layout, or whether it can only be run on analogue track. The reason for the confusion is because there is an 'in between' status, whereby a model has the correct wiring installed to be capable of DCC running , but a decoder is not yet installed. Such a model will only run on an analogue track until a decoder is fitted, then it becomes a DCC model . Model manufacturers have clearly tried to think of the best way to convey the status of their models, but because different manufacturers invent their own jargon, it's not unusual to find two or more terms meaning exactly the same thing. To help with this, here are a few terms you are likely to come across when hunting for a new model: Models designed to only run on analogue layouts are usually described as either Analogue models or DC models (DC stands for Direct Current). These models have no wiring, socket or decoder installed to support DCC operation, so if you wish to convert it, you will have to fit everything yourself. Analogue models are still produced today as there is a definite market for such models. If a model is advertised with no reference to its DCC status, it usually indicates that it is a DC/analogue only model. Models that feature wiring and a socket, but no decoder, are usually referred to as being DCC Ready . Straight out of the box, these models will run as analogue models but can be easily upgraded by installing an appropriate decoder to the locomotive 's internal socket. Sometimes, models with this status are advertised as having a particular interface or a socket installed that's able to accept certain decoders, however, that doesn't indicate that the model has a decoder fitted, only what type of deco