Why Kiwi train drivers have so much time on their hands !

[MinZaPint]

Just sit at home in your favourite armchair with a glass of wine and the controller !  saw several on my NZ travels but this one was in Picton

[Komata]

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....

[EtchedPixels]

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

is the kit used