Very interesting comments on whats going on. I have to say from my own experience the Lenz Maxi is a very good decoder. Altho my small railway is in doors, in the garage as I have no garden here, I don't clean the track very often, in fact I hav'nt cleaned the track since last spring( September down here in Roo Land).
   As regards Radio Trans. I use the Lenz DCC system with a couple of their XPAs which enable me to use spair  home portable phones for wireless radio controllers.   for me it works out a cheap and very effective means of control of locos and full sound functions easily. I can even sit on the loo indoors and still make the whistle blow! hehehe
   At the time I opted for DCC, but I figured it was right for what I wanted. It's not all plain sailing and it's good to hear all arguments in favor of the different control systems. I think it's good that we go with what we know and it at least gives us the opertunity to compare notes.

Thanks for that info.

  Hi, I just wondered if the Bachmann system was compatable with other operating systems?   Thing is I got rid of my LGB MTS and bought the Lenz system, which I find easier.  The bulk of my fleet, are Bachmann locos, tho I am now also using the Soundtraxx DSX boards for sound.  So far the Lenz system copes with the Climax, and Annie and Porter , all at the same time, but I think maybe i need to block the track into 2 sections or more as occasionally on the very hot days the thermal cut out does it's thing. Even with extra cooling fans I guess it just gets too hot. I just wondered, if I could use the EZ Booster with my Lenz system for extra blocks or am I better off to stick with Lenz Boosters?