Nice write-up JGL. Much information contained clearly and informatively; always posts worth reading.
I run outdoors, and I've been thinking of getting a Lion Chief Plus engine for young kids to run as it might not be as complicated as Legacy or DCS with all the buttons and features. I have about a 100' by 60' layout, and I'm wondering what kind of range I might expect. Kids and cats like to chase things around, so that might be part of the solution. I know there are four classes of bluetooth, and I'm guessing that Lionel might use Class 2.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.