Lionel Statement on Lionchief Remote Frequency Setting

I just went to Lionel.com and did a product search on "Lionchief" and it returned 16 results (13 sets and 3 engines.)  I've asked Lionel how this matches up against their statement that you can run all 14 sets together. 

Lionel's response

"I miss counted, there are 13 sets, and the three new Thomas locos are also available for individual sale"

So, if you drop your remote and it breaks, the train is useless until you get the remote repaired or a replacement.   You can't just keep 1 spare that could be used for any set like you can with a Legacy or DCS remote.  Very poor design.

I wonder what frequency band Lionel is using and how many frequencies they have.  I can just imagine the person flying an RC plane down the street suddenly taking control of your train or the guitarist in the band practicing next door hits a note using his wireless guitar transmitter and your train blows the horn.

Did we really need another Lionchief rant thread?

If its a bad design or idea and you don't like it, its really very simple, don't buy it.

Last years remote for the Thomas set is $18.00 on the Lionel.com website.

Not so much a question of price, but will all the different remotes be readily available ?

No, we did not.

If the originator of this thread will kindly re-post his items on the other pre-existing thread, that would be helpful.

I am locking this one.