Have small 4x8 layout no switches with 2 postwar zw's run dcs and or conv on outer and inner loop with some lights and a few old bubbling towers and a older rotating searchlight .One zw powers one track while the other powers other track both have inline fuses. To switch back and forth for dcs or conv on either track i use banana jacks .
Run trains for 1-2 hours at a time prewar and postwar lionel fm's f3s gg1 etc, marx, williams and mth ps2 engines and 1 ps3 engine .
Never upgraded the tiu bought as set with remote in 2002 along with a spare remote still not used.
The transformers get slightly warm but never hot replaced rollers myself in them perhaps 10 years back.
Cannot compare to modern ones as i do not have any mind you layout only 4x8.
