I like the idea of going "Dead Rail", but like others here I question the practicality of having a roster of engines that all need recharged. You would need to power certain tracks that the engines sit on to basically create "charge tracks". You also need to make sure that you have an appropriately sized charger capable of the max possible load. Also, depending on they type of batteries you use this could be potentially a fire hazard. I've been using LiPo batteries for years in RC planes and the accepted method of charging is to NEVER leave them to charge unattended. Other battery chemistries like LiFePo4 are much safer. These are the batteries that you usually get in a Dewalt drill for instance. They are larger and heavier than LiPo cells, but for our trains that shouldn't be a problem. They do not experience 'thermal runaway' and don't have the tendency to catch fire and explode like Lipos can.
My personal problem is that most Dead Rail systems don't have sound and smoke. I have no interest in that. I had an RC controlled Bachmann G scale engine 30 years ago, so it isn't exactly cutting edge tech. Also, if I don't have sound and smoke I don't want to run the trains. It can be done, but not many do. I like what Ring Engineering has done with their RailPro system. They make Dead Rail very simple in the smaller scales. Maybe they will offer a larger decoder that could work in O? Still, you have to gut your engines and wire in the new system no matter what you do.
I think (hope) that Lionel is heading towards some form of a battery option in the future. Now that they are putting Bluetooth into all their engines it wouldn't be all that much of a stretch to offer a battery option. It might be wishful thinking, but it is technically feasible.
IF I had my wish Lionel would offer a battery powered option for each engine and a new 2 rail high rail track system for them to operate on. The ONLY reason that I still buy 3 rail is that there is no better option from Lionel, and since they have the best sounds on the market I'm stuck. I was really tempted to build my own 2 rail high rail layout with MTH Hi-Rail Proto 3/2 engines, but Lionel's sounds are too good to pass up for me. I HATE the 3rd rail though so as soon as there is a 2 rail option from Lionel I will jump on it. I would even buy the same models over again just to get away from the 3rd rail.
That's just me though...
