I have an all-DCC system.  The turnouts and the crossovers work fine, and I don't mind controlling everything from the EZ Command unit.
If I buy a powered accessory (station house, lighted caboose, road crossing guards, etc.) do I power it by plugging into a jack on the terminal?

Thanks for your recommendations!  I'll take them to heart.  What brand of rolling stock do you prefer?  What brand of engines?  Just wondering? 

Your layout sounds wonderful.  Do you have a YouTube video?

I bought an Echo Valley DCC train set and built the table based on World's Greatest Hobby video about the Madison Central.  It was initially mostly to entertain my two grandsons.  But I've really become interested in the possibilities. 

Now, I want to finish the 4x8 with its mountains and mini-yard.  I've ordered Woodland Scenic products and have the tunnels and incline under construction.  I'm using the Bachmann 2135 as a switcher now.  I read that historically this engine did double duty, but I will probably buy a dedicated switcher later.

Long range, I'm considering attaching a long narrow table a foot and a half or two feet wide, bolted and braced to my basement's concrete wall.  This ledge would run about 15 ft., ending in a wall.  There's room there for a 3 1/2 ft turn around.  I could place an "industry" at the end and maybe another in the middle.  Trains could leave the 4x8 and head out on a long run. 

Thanks for the AnyRail idea.

I'm using Bachmann EZ Track.  For all its aesthetic limitations, it is easy to arrange and rearrange (carefully).  I've played with the 4% inclines today.  The newer diesel does fine, so I'm betting that there won't be any problem with the 3% grade, no more cars than I would be pulling.  I tried a consist of the 2 engines and they did very well with extra weight in one of the hoppers. 

You're right that a long train overpowers a 4x8.  The grandsons are more into different things going on.  I've drawn the line at adding dinosaurs.

Thanks for the help.  As I mentioned, my goal is to appeal to my grandsons--not to strive for authenticity.

I received another Bachmann engine yesterday.  It is one of the better line of diesels (Southern # 2735).  It will pull 5 cars slowly up the 4% grade.  I'm guessing that using a 3% incline to go up--instead of 4%--will be the answer.  I'm planning to use the 4% Woodland Scenics set I already have to descend.  At least I'll use 3 of the 4 parts to go from 3" down to level.

Any feedback?

Thanks to all the replies!  I realize now that I should have researched inclines more before jumping in.  My mistake. 

I'm returning the inclines and will concentrate on developing a flat 4x8 layout that will entertain my grandsons.

For my two young grandsons, I bought a Bachmann Echo Valley DCC set and put it on a 4x8 sheet in the basement.  I researched various layouts 
and bought extra track and turnouts to do the double track one I have settled on.  I have a better locomotive coming for the switching yard I'm planning.

What accessories would you guys recommend for young grandsons who have an intense love of working with trains, trucks, front loaders, etc.?  They love to load freight cars with beans, send the train around the track, unload it, and move it to a connected adjacent play table.

This old grandpa would appreciate any help.

Thanks.

A couple of weeks ago I bought a Bachmann Echo Valley DCC set for me and my grandsons to enjoy.  I had the bright idea of buying a 4% incline from Woodland Scenics.  The little Echo Valley engine will pull the grade, but with no more than its tender and a couple of cars.  The grade is 4" over an 8 ft. stretch.

I have a Southern #2735 diesel coming tomorrow.  I am assuming it will be able to pull more cars up the incline with little problem.  Am I wrong?

Would a 3% grade work better?

Thanks for any help.

Thanks, Len.

So my expansion idea is ok?  I can use the EZ DCC controller and power supply that came with the DCC set to operate 3 locomotives, two crossovers, and two turn outs, leaving three more control positions unassigned for future use?

Ok, now I am confused.  My grandson and I have only the DCC Bachmann Echo Valley set.  I have bought extra track.  He wants to buy an additional locomotive or two.  The Bachmann tech guy said that the EZ Commander controller AND the power supply that came with the set will control up to 10 locomotives or up to 10 combinations of locomotives and any peripherals that answer to DCC commands.  So I don't understand Len's reply that we could have only one locomotive without installing rail joiners (whatever that is).
We want to have 2 crossovers and 2 turn outs along with an additional locomotive or two--all controlled by the DCC controller and the power supply that came with the set.  This would involve a good many additional pieces of track--all Bachmann EZ Track.
So this plan isn't possible without electrical modifications?

I'm helping my young grandson with his first train set (a Bachmann DCC Echo Valley). I know little, but I'm learning. 
A basic question: Is there a problem using Bachmann DCC crossovers to connect an outside oval with an inside oval.  It sounded simple enough, but I called a Bachmann tech representative who talked about electrical problems if I did so.  He recommended 4 turnouts to do that connection.  It sounds like weird advice to me.
Thanks for any help.