Thank you everyone, I appreciate all the help.
I have always had a HO train under my charismas tree, but I did not learn much about the hobby from that.
I got into the hobby full time last October with Lionel O gauge and there is a ton of great information about that from Lionel.
I required and restored all my old HO Christmas Trains, Tyco and Life-Like, but the little guys are dwarfed on my Lionel layout. They deserve a dedicated Layout and that is my next project after I finish my grandsons Lionel layout.
The more I learn about HO, I realize the more there is to learn and it's not easy to find good published information like it is for Lionel. Finding this forum has been fantastic! I ask a question and a day or 2 later I get great answers and detailed first hand information! I still love my Lionel but I am having lots of fun learning HO.
I found the "Bachmann HO 60806 GP30 w/DCC, B&O" for $44.99
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Bachmann-HO-60806-RTR-GP30-B-O-Capital-6936-p/bac-60806.htm that is my local train store so I won't even have to pay shipping. It's sounds like a found a winner. I am planning to add a second HO track to check out all the dcc buzz, but I don't think I will ever completely get rid of my dc, my old Christmas trains are so special to me.
Again, as always, thank you everyone for taking the time to share your knowledge and experience with me. I can not begin to tell you how much I appreciate it! You HO model railroaders are the best!
Louis