There is also the question of what the cost of the track packs are as well not to mention running costs. According to one description I read on the 'basic' set you need 10 AA batteries for the track and the train has a dedicated re-chargeable Li-On battery. So basically you have powered electro-magnets in both the train and the track.
Whether this means each section of track has its own power supply or the 10 AA's go into the 'station/speed control' is down to debate but either is not particularly great.
If its in the 'station' then you have to worry about power drop off at the extremes of the track from the station.
If the batteries go into the track sections (i.e. maybe 1 per section) then how do you know when to replace them and do you need to rip up the track to do so?
I personally think the latter is unlikely as it would be hit and miss if you had say one piece of track with either a bad connection or dodgy/low power battery.
But if that is the case why 10 AA batteries? Surely it would make more sense to ship it with a transformer, after all at the price point that has been intimated they can't be penny pinching a couple of quid for a transformer surely?
Whether this means each section of track has its own power supply or the 10 AA's go into the 'station/speed control' is down to debate but either is not particularly great.
If its in the 'station' then you have to worry about power drop off at the extremes of the track from the station.
If the batteries go into the track sections (i.e. maybe 1 per section) then how do you know when to replace them and do you need to rip up the track to do so?
I personally think the latter is unlikely as it would be hit and miss if you had say one piece of track with either a bad connection or dodgy/low power battery.
But if that is the case why 10 AA batteries? Surely it would make more sense to ship it with a transformer, after all at the price point that has been intimated they can't be penny pinching a couple of quid for a transformer surely?