Are LionChief RTR sets the end of conventional transformer RTR sets?

I think there are still a lot of folks running conventional out there and it looks like fewer offerings every year for them as far as new stuff goes. There may still be a market for the conventional sets for a while, I don't think they are quite obsolete yet. There were still quite a few sets in the last catalog.

I think you are right about the Lion Chief sets for the first time buyers though, very attractive pricing there, especially for anyone raising kids. Some of the Lion Chief sets are considerably less than the conventional transformer controlled sets.

I think that eventually all Lionel's starter sets will be Lionchief. I wish they would all be Lionchief+, or they release a conversion kit to operate conventionally, but I'm not holding my breath...

 was under the impression all lionchief would be with the + from here on out.

the + keeps the ability to run conventional.

Considering the price point of the LionChief RTR sets, I can't see Lionel only offering them as LC+.

Lionel like any business will sell what sells. If sales of conventional drop off enough I would fully expect Lionel to discontinue selling conventional RTR sets.

That said, it is likely a foregone conclusion that conventional sets will continue to dwindle, as LionChief RTR sets are less expensive generally speaking.