pragmatic, cost-benefit analysis

It comes down to preference - do you want to be able to walk around whatever layout you have at the time and be able to control your engines? If so, then command is going to be a world of difference for you.

If you prefer to sit stationary, and hold handles, then conventional still works, but command adds a world of extra features for you to use, in addition to being able to fine tune speeds of your engines independent of voltage.

@SirCaptain I'm definitely in the camp of those who prefer to walk around, the layout -- often, I'm preparing feeds for additional accessories or tweaking things on loop a while the first consist whizzes around another loop.  In that regard, I'd say you answer pushes me towards command control.  I have to decide a starting point and a budget I can set for attaining the hardware.

Command control probably makes more sense on an ephemeral layout than a permanent one.  With a permanent layout you have the option for a fixed control panel(s) for switches and accessories.  

@Professor Chaos i was thinking that as well, while looking at pricing for second hand items and reading Lionel's propaganda on the topic.

I feel like we run similar layouts as I do not have a permanent one yet either. I can tell you that I would, and have, only considered TMCC/Legacy because I enjoy running my lionchief engines and being able to walk around. I live in an apartment and have to assemble and take the layout down every time I want to work on it. With a permanent layout it would be easier to do a mix like @Professor Chaos mentioned. I have the Base3 on preorder right now and can't wait.

You could also consider a Lionel Cab-1L controller (just the controller, not the Base-1L) and a Lionel Legacy Powermaster.  This combination will let you run any of trains by varying track voltage, using a wireless handheld controller.  These also appear to be available at less than the current extortion-level prices that command control sets seem to be these days.

@Bob posted:

You could also consider a Lionel Cab-1L controller (just the controller, not the Base-1L) and a Lionel Legacy Powermaster.  This combination will let you run any of trains by varying track voltage, using a wireless handheld controller.  These also appear to be available at less than the current extortion-level prices that command control sets seem to be these days.

Unfortunately the Legacy PowerMaster requires a Legacy or TMCC base.

"Unfortunately the Legacy PowerMaster requires a Legacy or TMCC base."

Hmmm, I guess I was thinking that the original PM-1 PowerMaster worked directly with the TMCC Cab-1 controller, so the same would be true of Legacy.

@Bob posted:

"Unfortunately the Legacy PowerMaster requires a Legacy or TMCC base."

Hmmm, I guess I was thinking that the original PM-1 PowerMaster worked directly with the TMCC Cab-1 controller, so the same would be true of Legacy.

This is good to know. My in process layout is behind a couch along a wall; so not great for a more traditional control panel. I've been looking into TMCC but haven't been sure what all I need. I only really want to run conventional locomotives with a hand held. Does the PM-1 allow for using an adapter cord I've seen to connect any transformer to it?