I still love running any Lionel trains be they PW or “modern” with TMCC or Legacy. My 2 biggest thrills were 1) in 1960’s seeing Gargraves 3 rail track and switches with more closely realistic wooden rails & ties. 2) The Holy Grail for me of controlling multiple trains on the same track without electrical blocks arrived with TMCC.
In late 1960’s I had modified each side of my ZW transformer with big diodes to match 2 modified PW trains with big diodes with opposite polarities — this allowed me to control 2 trains on same track. ( Had to disconnect whistle features, but overall worked pretty well).
Similar to some previous posts above, I have had no TMCC / Legacy failures, so continue to enjoy true wireless controls of my trains.
Carl J