Two points to ponder

[rtraincollector]

This was mentioned in another post to another member but feel it has good topics for a topic

....I saw Bob's Train Box and that Hudson is something else. 

topic A.

I can't wait for the day that instead of using electrified track, we use batteries and remote control to run everything.  

Topic B

 I still can't believe they have not offered us the option of recording our own train announcements.

my response to topic A

Buckeye I personally dread the day everything is run by battery. The day they do away with electrified track I feel is the doom as the cost for having to get battiers will kill it. yes I know the cost of electric is probably acually more and with rechargeable batteries you have longer life of the batteries. I also realize look at cordless tools and all I just look at how many batteries you will need. every accesory will need at least one battery, every passenger car will need one battery, the engine, ect ect 

I prefer to pay the electric bill and not worry about 100 batteries. I don't even put batteries in my tmcc engines that use them for shut down or what ever as there not needed probably why I don't own any mth engines that have proto in it ( 1,2,or3 ) main reason probably keeps me away from it.

Topic B

I think that would be a great added feature and see it as coming in the future and look forward to it also. You would be able to have it anouce arival at what ever station you call your layout . ect.

[Seayakbill]

Topic B

 I still can't believe they have not offered us the option of recording our own train announcements.

They do with MTH DCS.

I use that option quite frequently with MTH DCS. I have recorded station announcements for most of my MTH passenger locos. Announcing train arrivals for Spokane, Lester, and Seattle.

[wallyworld]

Those points are well taken. However..if I were to go back to hi-rail, it would only be if they developed reliable RC of all those features. It sort of reminds me of the old induction telephone system pioneered by the PRR as it stands now. I don't enjoy fiddling with all the little gremlins of delicate systems any longer, so this would be unlikely for me personally, as I seem to attract them. It seems odd that other hobbies have embraced RC with model trains the exception.I think the issue is how much they have invested going down that road..and leaving all those customers stranded with rail activated equipment. A stand alone product line to test the waters rather than a full conversion, might work...like the G PRR Flyer in O.

The battery issue is related to a lot of variables:

1. How long are operating sessions? 2. How long ( heavy) is the consist? 3. The lifespan and cost of batteries. 4, The ease of recharging. For hi-rail, as it stands now, batteries seem unlikely, but...Ive learned to say and have lived long enough to never say never. If they could be charged through the rails at a dedicated spot, parked without having to disassemble them to plug in or use a stand alone variety of chargers..then..maybe. The battery powered Pennsylvania Flyer which I purchased runs for nearly an hour, as the gondolas , caboose etc are lightweight, yet I haven't had derailment issues running them outdoors on LGB track. The RC control works great and it's simple. The whistle is embarrassing..it sounds like a teapot. ..

[11th Street]

Good thread! ___ I look foreward to the day when:

1. New items work (right out of the box) on Christmas Day ...  as Santa planned.

2. When an operating item fails you can take it to a nearby LHS the day after, and get it fixed,

3. When, if the above two situations aren't possible, you can send the item back to the manufacturer and it gets fixed. (as Lionel did in the 1950s 26th St NYC showroom repair station).