Here's my $.02 on the controller debate. First- I don't want to run my trains with a cell phone, or any other touch screen device. My favorite features of the CAB-2 were its absolute speed steps, and the detents of the Big Red Knob. Yes it was bulky, but it had a precision feel which is absent from the CAB-1 and CAB-1L.
I grew up with video games, owned and played most of the systems. I'm not convinced that a game controller with joysticks, triggers, etc., is necessary or desirable to run model trains. If the controller supports ergonomic one-handed operation, that's a boon. None of the controllers in the image above except possibly the last one could be used one-handed.
There are companies that make purpose-built model train controllers. North Coast Engineering (NCE) comes to mind. It was apparent 20 years ago that the DCS hand-held was just an inferior copy of the NCE controller. Presently, CVP Products (AirWire), and especially Ring Engineering (RailPro) make controllers. I've tried them both, and I like them both. These are much smaller companies than Lionel, yet somehow they are able to make and sell their own physical controllers. I'm still hoping for a CAB-3 to go with my BASE-3. Perhaps Lionel could make a deal with one of these companies?
