I am 99% conventional with my 2 main lines controlled by an MTH Z4000; and with 10 sidings, many acessories and 17 022 switches controlled by 2 ZWs.
I use the Z4000 like it was a ZW with a bell button. I know it has many interesting additional features, but I rarely use them.
Keeping the train operations simple is more relaxing for me, and more conducive to simultaneously listening to music, which is a passion of mine, as is simultaneously using my smart phone to take videos for this Forum.
The reason I said I'm 99%, and not 100%, conventional, is I recently bought a Lion Chief Plus engine with a very simple and easy to use remote unit that I love.
All the LC+ engine requires is turning the transformer up to 18 volts, turn on the remote, and control the speed and direction (forward or reverse) with the dial. And you get prototypical slow speed, great smoke, good whistle or horn and sounds, uncoupling from the remote and announcements from the remote. All of this is very simple to use.
I've only had the LC+ for 2 weeks, but so far I think it is a breakthrough. Most importantly, they cost in $325 to $450 range, which is a lot less than many other new engines on the market.
One more thing about the LC+ engine. It has a switch so you can run it in either transformer mode or remote mode. So, if the remote doesn't work for you, then you can throw that switch and run your trains the old fashioned way.
Arnold
