Well, me thinks the RC locos run WITHOUT rails..
And yes, the plastic rails look a bit.. lacking, but I'm not sure how easy it is to get the others. I suppose they're the same as LGB still, so that might not be a problem. However, regarding cost and weight, probably there's a HUGE difference.
I have a couple of RC ones, all plastic tracks.. and the Western Loco - have NO IDEA if it works, since we don't have ANYTHING else from electric trains...