(http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb474/minzapint/NZ%202014/995e6922-d65c-4842-9dc2-91995fa70f92_zps2033a998.jpg) (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/minzapint/media/NZ%202014/995e6922-d65c-4842-9dc2-91995fa70f92_zps2033a998.jpg.html)
Just sit at home in your favourite armchair with a glass of wine and the controller ! :D saw several on my NZ travels but this one was in Picton
Minza
And, as you would no doubt have noticed, they actually work, although it can be a bit disconcerting seeing the 'controller' fiddling with something that looks a bit like an R/C aircraft control box, while his charge is moving by itself 60-70 feet away, sans driver...
The introduction of such a remote unit into the NZ railways was a money-saving measure, and these units have been in use for approx 30 years.
Not sure about the armchair though.... :) :)
There are some remote controlled 08s in use. They served in places like Allied Steel and Wire Cardiff way.
http://www.hima-sella.co.uk/cgi-bin/scribe?showinfo=cattron-theimeg-radio-remote-control-shunting-loco-locomotive-wheel-slip (http://www.hima-sella.co.uk/cgi-bin/scribe?showinfo=cattron-theimeg-radio-remote-control-shunting-loco-locomotive-wheel-slip)
is the kit used