I would be happy if conventional locomotives were offered, designed so those that want mickey mouse electronics can add as they wish ( this seems to go on all the time in frequent repairs and "updates?" anyway.). However, l am not sure at all how much that elimination would shave off price, if you consider pricing on new car options. With that gross inflation, you might think a lot, but? With quality complaints on here about electronic "options", l get the sense maybe more of price is profit rather than content, but the guys doing all these repairs and upgrades can verify or void that. I want to buy variety in models, not mudflaps and foxtails. Menard's might just be the one to offer a "modular" loco...but as noted above, have kept their toe out of that lava flow.
