I am a scale guy with no real appetite for PW equipment but there are still things that concern me, especially pricing. I am starting to think along the lines of @RickO that backing into TMCC models from 15-20 years ago may be the way to go. I was looking at a TMCC Allegheny over the weekend that was brand new in the box for $700 versus $2100 for the latest Legacy version. I will never be able to justify that price tag and its really the same mold with upgraded electronics and some extra hand installed pieces which I could create/purchase and install myself.
The other concern I have is how rapidly the technology is changing. Its great to see and I'm happy there are a lot of young people in the hobby but I'm concerned when we are going down the path of using our phones exclusively for running trains. I hear the rumors/fact that MTH will not be building DCS remotes soon and I'm sure at some point Lionel will follow suit. That is when the hobby becomes frustrating because if the apps don't work, trains cease to be fun. There is something to be said for PW crowd; its a simpler, more consistent running experience that will continue to bring them joy for many years to come.
