After more than 60 years of wanting to start a model railroad, and along the way hitting various obstacles preventing doing so, I have finally begun. Nothing about it is the same as my old Lionel train set when I was a youngster, and I am on a steep learning curve. For instance, i want to install a turntable on the layout i have designed, and chose the Bachmann 5 1/2" turntable. The message included online with that turntable information is:

"Requires separate power pack/speed controller for operation in DC mode (Item No. 44211 recommended). Requires DCC control system and DCC decoder for operation in DCC mode. Each sold separately."

I dutifully searched online for a DCC Decoder and could only find a sound decoder. Is that what is meant in the Bachmann online message, or is there another sort of DCC decoder of which I am unaware? I cannot understand why I would need a sound decoder for a turntable. I am awaiting delivery of a Bachmann DCC controller, and had thought that would be all I needed to operate DCC features on locos, stock, and parts where eqiuipped.

To further explain, there are no model railroad stores anywhere near where I live that I might have access to somone I could ask about all my getting started questions. I hope to get my new benchwork constructed finished today so I can really get atarted when all the stuff I have ordered online sight-unseen arrives.

Thanks for any information anyone can provide.