Never underestimate the potential for decoder glitches, especially when you're new to this.
I did a TCS decoder install in my Climax A's early on, that was just a nightmare. TCS sent two replacements due to uncontrollable low-speed surging, I sent it to one f the members here that's a DCC veteran and he couldn't solve it either. TCS tells me my stuff is too small for DCC. Gave up entirely. Finally tried a DZ126T that was a winner, been using them ever since for tight conversions that don't draw that much and don't need sound.
But that first one drove me nuts for about a year and a half. I've probably done a dozen since without issue.
But if there's one thing to emphasize, to thoroughly test everything under DC before wading in. I've go so far as to make a second DC conversion tender for my PRR decapod, using a 6-pin connector, wired exclusively for DC, so that I can work on the mechanism without involving the decoder or sound at all.
