Agree with a lot of what you say KD, but not all the details.
Lionel has done what you suggested, but without the dangers of someone that doesn't know what they are doing burning down their house while charging Lithium Batteries. It's called Lionchief. Takes the power from 3R track. It is dominating the entry level O market. Latest version even supports operating from cellphone via bluetooth. I being a dinosaur, think the Universal remote is the way to go.
Now for those savvy enough, you can remove the center roller and power it with on board batteries (Dead Rail). Also Gargraves makes 2R version of their track and coincidentally talked to Steve at Ross Booth on Saturday and said he also provides if requested (doesn't inventory it so longer lead time).
