If anyone runs conventional only I am happy for them. Myself, I want all the bells and whistles of digital operation. Everyone enjoy.
I've never run anything with a wireless control, so I have nothing to compare it to. Having recently had my first taste of running a PS2 loco, I'm getting closer to wanting to take the next step--especially now that I recently learned I can run my prewar trains with a wireless control.
John
I have two relatively simple layouts - a 12'-by-8' with three independent loops run conventionally from two z-4000 transformers, and a 10'-by-5' run from the second handle of one of the z-4000s. My locomotives include equal numbers of MTH PS-1, PS-2, PS-3, Atlas O, K-Line and Sunset/3rd Rail models on which I'm satisfied with the sounds and speed control, so I cannot justify the expense and, especially, the problems that many people seem to have with their command setups. My layouts are small enough that, for me, the advantages(?) and costs of Legacy or DCS do not outweigh the benefits of simplicity, but I recognize that the situation may be different if one operates a large and complex layout. I had a forty-six year career as an engineer using and writing analytical software, but when it comes to my model train hobby, I prefer to be building and running my layouts. I have no interest in spending time diagnosing electronics, software and hardware issues. But the good thing is that today's technology allows people to choose whichever way they prefer... That IS progress.
MELGAR
Trains are like Ice cream... Some people like Vanilla... Some like Chocolate. The point is to enjoy your trains because YOU are happy with them. If for no other reason, than because you happen to like trains. Not because somebody else wants you to do it their way. I applaud Tinplate Art's decision to do things his way. To steal & para-phrase from a Burger commercial... Hold the Techno, Hold the Wi-Fi... Watch those locos as they run by... All we ask is that you give our hobby a try. One of the merits of our hobby is there really isn't a right way, or wrong way to enjoy it. Weather it's the latest Techno Express, or Grandpa's good old Lionel #38 with turned handrail stanchions... its still a train. The point is to enjoy them and share that Joy with others in order to keep our hobby alive.
In my experience, I have come full-circle from that ZW of my youth to my modern Z-4000 with all the TMCC, DCS, and Legacy in between. I have experienced and embraced the wonderful technology of our modern trains, yet somehow yearned to return to that "hand on the throttle lever" era, and it has ALL been one great trip!
Tinplate Art posted:I can see both sides of the coin so to speak having been there and experienced the sound and control systems offered by Lionel and MTH and others, but simplicity and the basics are my goals at present.
I well remember Bob Coniglio and his fascination with the pachyderm preserve at Hohenwald, TN not too far west of Nashville. They care for elephants retired from circuses and other performance venues so they can live out their retirement years in a peaceful natural setting.
Ha! I don't think a day goes by that I don't walk in on my wife and find her entranced by those elephants at the preserve!
And as far as digital vs conventional, I'm 100% conventional but just starting to put together pieces and parts to dabble in TMCC, or....? Conventional works for me, not a big smoke fan, but would at least like to get some railsounds on the track. $0.02 done and complete 
I enjoy the simple old school fun of vintage electric trains. Nothing digital. Even have electro-mechanical bells and whistles! 
However, my trains are not 100% digital free. I use my computer to create structures on the layout and custom lettering for some of the rolling stock. 
Attachments
I started out with an old 1033 transformer on a pre war Lionel outfit. As my interest grew in the hobby, i bought TMCC locos and the whole command system. Fifteen or so years later, I'm back into pre war/post war outfits with a ZW running the trains. I am happier. There are no breakdowns or electronics issues turning $1,000.00 engines into expensive paperweights. My tag line says it all.
romiller49 posted:Conventional is fine and fun because that’s what we older folks grew up with. Getting young people to buy trains in conventional though would be like asking them to go back to rotary phones hanging on the kitchen wall.
Apparently you've been to my parents ranch back in the 1950's, it was even a party line. Today I wonder if younger people can even conceive of line sharing by several families. But then the mail came to a line of mail boxes nailed to a beam held up by a couple posts that was about half a mile away from where the driveway met the paved road. As a kid I thought if fun to walk or ride my bike to pick up the mail for my mom.
Back in the 1990's sometime I don't remember exactly my mom told me about the day the PacWest guy drove up to the house to replace the old dial phone. My dad never did cotton much to strangers coming up to the house so the poor phone company guy was met with some attitude. He said he came to replace the phone, my dad said it worked fine, the guy said he had to replace it with digital model as they wanted to shut down the old electro-mechanical relay system so the company was replacing the few remaining dial phones with something modern. Consider that my father was today what we would call an aerospace engineer who's avocation and first love was ranching who drove 50 miles to the city and again to get home everyday to earn the money that paid for his hobby of ranching, this being before the interstate highway system. But at any rate the old man was a well educated engineer so digital phones were not beyond his understanding, but when he was home he didn't much like being bothered by the modern world. In spite of living in a big city, I find my attitudes aren't far from the old man's.
Bogie
Ever notice a mechanic driving a crappy car? Like they want to work on their own car too? 
I like the gadgetry for a while, but it gets old and boring, sometimes even annoying for me, while the trains themselves don't ever get boring.
"Tech for the sake of tech"... BINGO! My dogs better than your dog too! For some folk everything is a competition.
Speaking of... I love beating cell phones with old dinosour tech and watching the young folk squirm while wrestling with the reality of what just happened. You can't beat manual dexterity that doesn't require vision! You just can't. The visual recognition needed to begin takes longer and always will.
My big issue is paying for $100 to ∞ for the extra electronics I wouldn't miss at a lower cost. It's like having to buy a Ferrari when you only need to drive to get to the grocery store and a econobox is what you wanted.
But... I like my bells. I like the slower speeds sometimes, (just call me Casey). I like to hear folks get worked up over their love for the new gadgetry too.
On the tech: The basics really haven't changed too much, they just call relays transistors, and the puzzle has more pieces that are even smaller now (read as there are many more options now too) "Chips" are just different combos of other components; some simple, some very complex.
Converts and reverts; welcome home. Life IS a little slower and more peaceful here in the lowlands of tech.
I'll repeat the best advice, just enjoy what YOU like
(Drivers are imortant, but don't forget the little wheels get oiled sometimes when they squeak enough )
Born in 54, I had my older cousin's post war Lionel (still have it) that I played with all through childhood. In the 90s, I bought several sets for my own children which we got lots of fun out of conventionally. Then I got interested again, and bought some PS2 and used it with the simple hand held remote that came in the box. Fun! Now LC and LC+ are on the board, and that does everything I need it to do.
Along the way I still buy Post War trains. I run all of these together, and it works for me!
