I see two problems with the LionChief system.
1. If the remote stops working you cannot run the set until/unless Lionel repairs the remote. LionChief locomotives will not run conventional.
2. If a person who owns a LionChief set wants to add non-LionChief locomotive he would also have to buy a conventional transformer to operate it. I do know that with the MTH DCS Remote Commander sets that this is also a requirement of those sets as well (adding a non-DCS locomotive to them).
Stuart