The transmitter was designed to simulate the television "clicker" that virtually everyone has now come to use instinctively. The case is made to be ergonomically easier for most sized hands and to make single thumb control practical. A flexible "rubber ducky" type antenna was chosen to add a safety factor. The buttons were given long life switches for reliability.  The entire case was molded out of ABS plastic to minimize breakage.

A strong R/F (Radio Frequency) design was implemented that allowed up to 300 feet (100 meters) of range. This distance was determined to be the furthest practical range that the user could see and control a train. The train could continue out of range in a "cruise control" maintained speed, but the user would not be able to vary the memorized instructions sent to the train while out of range. The R/F signal was designed to operate on a 27 MHz FM band to give a tighter signal that was less prone to interference and to cause interference on other products. Finally, we added Post Code Modulation (PCM) to the FM signal.  A coded signal is sent along the FM carrier preventing most interference from spurious signals.  The receiver is designed to respond only to the coded information it receives from the transmitter.

The transmitter functions were changed for the 1996 production to add several setup functions to now be controlled by the computer chip. First, the transmitter now allows the hobbyist to choose the momentum ratios from a choice of 5 different settings. These setting allow the hobbyist to better simulate the real life operations of trains regardless of the scale or physical size of the locomotive being controlled. Another change causes the motor(s) in the locomotive(s) to pause before changing direction while running. This feature was added to help prevent damage of the locomotives' motor(s) and gearing caused by forces involved with sudden electrical direction change.

A third generation of the Train Engineer was introduced in 2000.  The 2000 version of the Train Engineer allows a single transmitter to control up to 100 individual receivers.  There are ten radio frequencies and ten track channels per frequency which together provide one hundred unique frequency/channel combinations. Utilizing the one hundred frequency/channel combinations, it is possible to have ten people operating their own transmitter running their own trains and controlling switches and accessories without causing radio frequency interference with each other.

At the top of the front of the transmitter is a 10 LED display with two buttons directly underneath marked C-L and C-R. At the bottom of the front of the transmitter are three buttons marked 'SPD', 'DIR', and 'FRQ'.  These are used in the transmitter receiver linking process and to indicate frequency, track channel, train speed (by voltage to track or motors), and train direction (relative to electrical current).  

It is possible for one person to operate several trains from one transmitter. While one train is being controlled, the others remain on cruise control maintained by a memory circuit.  The memory circuit maintains the last command that was sent to the receiver until a new command is sent to the receiver.  This feature can keep trains operating at the same speed indefinitely. The cruise control feature will try to maintain the speed of the train even up or down grades just as an automobile speed control varies power to maintain a uniform speed.

The transmitter also has six function buttons marked 'A' through 'F'.  The function buttons are used in the linking process of linking the transmitter to the receiver(s).   With the use of remote receivers, the function keys can be used for the operating of accessory receivers controlling accessories including track switches, building lights, external sound systems,  and animated accessories. 

The Aristo-Craft/CREST Train Engineer Track Receiver  is designed to function within a great level of amperage and voltage. Larger G Gauge locomotives with multiple motors and multiple lash ups of  locomotives with long and heavy trains can require up to 10 amps of DC power on a continuous basis. The Train Engineer Track Receiver (track receiver) is capable of handling these demands.  The track receiver is also at home with the relatively low amperage and voltage demands of the locomotives and trains of the smaller gages including O, HO and N scales.  

The track receiver is placed in the wiring between your power source and the track so it can interrupt the power to the track. It controls the speed of the train by varying the power to the track in response to commands it receives from the transmitter.  It will maintain the last command that it received from the transmitter until it receives a new command.

The receiver can be switched between a linear and Pulse Width Control (PWC) mode. The linear mode gives a traditional type of control that is equivalent to the power used in most model train DC power packs. Power to the track is increased or decreased by the track receiver in response to commands sent by the transmitter.   PWC system uses a more modern way to control the speed of the train. With PWC, voltage and amperage are separated.  With the first command of the transmitter, voltage to the track is constant.  The receiver varies the amperage to the tracks in response to commands from the transmitter.  Since accessories including lights and sound systems only need voltage to operate, they can remain constant.  Since motors need amperage to work, locomotives run in response to increases and decreases of amperage in the rails.  A key advantage of this system is that far less motor heat occurs. Aristo-Craft designed its PWC system to be free of the acoustical motor noise that often occurs with similar systems. PWC is free of AC current that can harm DC motors.  PWC should not be confused with Pulse Power added to some manufacturer's power packs to improve momentum speeds.

The receiver communicates with the transmitter on ten track channels on ten different radio frequencies. This allows multiple receivers to operate at the same time. The receiver is assigned the track code/frequency combination by the transmitter during the transmitter/receiver linking process. The communication link between the receiver and transmitter sets the code without the use of dip-switches. There is also no crystals used by the receiver.  Instead there is a digital chip that electronically seeks and locks to the channel and frequency of the transmitter. 

The addition of an optional cooling fan CRE-55499 (ART-5499), which easily attaches to the receiver case, provides additional cooling to the receiver for use in higher amperage conditions. This fan is recommended for over 5 amps of DC power usage.  The fan can also prove useful in warmer climates or conditions where the receiver may become excessively hot.

The Aristo-Craft/CREST Mini On-Board Receiver is a miniaturized version of the track receiver.  Since the large capacity of the track receiver receiver is not needed for controlling only one locomotive, a smaller 2.5 amp capacity receiver can be used. The smaller double-sided circuit board does not need the cooling of the track receiver so a heat sink is sufficient.  Since it is designed to go inside the locomotive the on-board receiver does not require a protective plastic case like the track receiver. The resulting receiver is small enough to fit into most large scale locomotives or tenders.

The on-board receiver is designed for individuals who wish to "run their trains, not their track".  Instead controlling voltage and amperage being applied to the track with the track receiver, the on-board receiver controls the motor(s) of the locomotive with PWC.  While the track may still be used as a source of electrical power, it is no longer a means to control the train.  Train control is done directly within the locomotive(s). 

Furthermore, the on-board receiver is not dependant on receiving signals through the track.  Its signals are received via R/F from the transmitter.  This helps alleviate problems with dirty track.  All that is needed is the locomotive to be able to receive enough voltage to operate. 

The AUX-OUT wiring harness on the on-board receiver plugs directly into the Aristo-Craft/CREST Mini Accessory Receiver CRE-55495 (ART-5494).  The use of the mini accessory receiver allows the user to have remote control of locomotive accessories.  When connected to the mini accessory receiver, locomotive lights and sounds including horn and bell of optional sound units can be controlled with the transmitter.   With two momentary and three latching relays, the mini accessory receiver is capable of controlling five accessories. 

The next generation of the on-board receiver will include upgrades for the new locomotives being introduce by Aristo-Craft starting in 2001.  A power plug will be included to allow for true plug and play capabilities.  

The Remote Accessory Receiver CRE-55474 (ART-55474) and Remote Switch Receiver CRE-55495 (ART-5494) are used to operate accessories at any location on your layout.  The accessory receivers have R/F components that allow commands from the transmitter to control switches, activate lights, sounds,  and many operating accessories. The receivers are powered from DC power supply and can be located anywhere on the layout where power is available.  The accessory receivers can also be powered by track power providing there is constant voltage on the tracks.

One remote accessory receiver can operate up to five accessories (i.e.. 2 switches and 3 accessories) by running wires from the receiver to the accessories. The remote accessory unit may also be placed onboard the locomotive to operate on demand the horns, whistle and bell sounds. Power can come from the track when supplied through metal wheels on a freight car, from the locomotive or tender pickups, or from regular/rechargeable batteries.

The switch accessory receiver is designed to operate track switches.  Operating off of DC voltage and wired directly to the switch machine, the switch accessory receiver is capable of controlling five separate switches.  With the use of the transmitter, the switches can be activated either sequentially or individually.  

For those that do not need or desire the advanced features of the Train Engineer, Aristo-Craft/CREST offers the Basic Train Engineer CRE-55480 (ART-5480). Designed for the single operator running a single train, the Basic Train Engineer allows you to control your train while away from your power pack.  The Basic Train Engineer is ideal for layouts in stores and display windows where the power pack may not be in easy reach.  Children can use the transmitter to run a train without having to go

With the Basic Train Engineer there are no accessories.  There are only two parts, the controller and the receiver.  The receiver and transmitter come factory set to the same frequency so there is no need to link them. Simply put the battery in the transmitter, place the receiver in the wiring between the power pack and the tracks and you are ready to run your train.

The Basic Train Engineers do not all come with the same frequency.  The frequency is change by Crest on occasion.  This creates the ability for you to have more then one Basic Train Engineer in use.  The boxes and the transmitters are marked with the frequency.  

Future upgrades of the Basic Train Engineer will include a simple power supply.  This will be a transformer that plugs into a wall outlet.  You will no longer need a power pack to run your trans with the Basic Train Engineer.

CREST has developed a on-board Train Engineer System specifically for HO trains.  The Radio Command Control (RCC)  HO Train Engineer is based on the NMRA (National Model Railroad Association) standards for and compatible with Digital Command Control (DCC) systems.  However, where DCC sends a coded signal through the tracks to control locomotives, RCC sends its signal via R/F.  This ends the signal loss problem associated with dirt on the track and wheels of the locomotives.  Like the On-Board Train Engineer for large scale the track is used as a source of electrical power only.

The RCC HO Train Engineer is designed for the individuals who wish to "run their trains, not their track".  Instead of varying the voltage to the track in conventional DC operations RCC directly controls the locomotives.  Track voltage remains constant ending the need for a complicated blocking system or separate tracks for separate trains.  With RCC all trains operate independently on the same track at the same time using a single power supply.  

The RCC system gives you the benefits of DCC systems without the complication and costly components.  There is no centralized control system or signal boosters.  There is no additional wiring that needs to be installed or re-wiring of your railroad. The RCC system simply requires a linear power supply providing clean 12 volts DC, the HO Train Engineer Transmitter and the HO Train Engineer Receivers.

There is often a "Learning Curve" associated with DCC systems.  DCC systems can take a significant amount of time and effort to learn.  RCC is much easier to learn than DCC systems.  Instead of many hours of reading manuals and weeks to learn how to operate your layout with DCC, RCC can be learned in minutes. There is little or no learning curve with RCC.

There are additional advantages that the RCC system has over DCC.  With RCC there are 256 steps.  Typically, there are 128 steps with DCC systems. Each step represents a small change in voltage being sent to the motor of the locomotive.  More steps translate to more control over the locomotives.  Because of the greater amount of steps, RCC provides smoother speed control for trains then DCC systems.

The HO Train Engineer Transmitter CRE-55003 is capable of controlling up to ten trains from 60 to 100 feet away.  Typically, HO layouts are smaller and more compact than large scale so the 300 foot range of the Train Engineer was not needed.  The R/F signal was designed to operate on a 75 MHz FM band to allow for a shorter antenna on the receiver.  Finally, we added Post Code Modulation (PCM) to the FM signal.  A coded signal is sent along the FM carrier preventing most interference from spurious signals.  The receiver is designed to respond only to the coded information it receives from the transmitter. 

Furthermore, the RCC HO Train Engineer has many of the same features as the Train Engineer system.  There is a ten frequency and ten track channel capability allowing one transmitter to control up to one hundred receivers.   The transmitter allows you to choose the momentum ratios from several different settings.  Another feature causes the locomotive to pause before changing direction. This feature helps prevent damage of the locomotive's motor and gearing caused by forces involved with sudden electrical direction change.  

In addition to these and other functions of the Train Engineer, The RCC HO Train Engineer adds additional functions including a memory function and an "All Stop" feature.  The memory function allows for the ability of the locomotive to automatically return to its previous speed and direction in the event power to the locomotive is lost and restored.  The "All Stop" feature allows for the operator to stop all trains being controlled by the transmitter. These features add a flexibility that is unheard of in other HO Scale control systems including DCC.

The HO Train Engineer Receivers CRE-55001 are compact and fit into most HO Scale locomotives.  They come equipped with the NMRA standard 8 pin plug for connection to DCC sockets provided in many locomotives.  Functionally, they are very similar to the On-Board Receivers for large scale locomotives.  

Linking between the receiver and transmitter is done in a simple and unique fashion.   The often complicated decoder acquiring process associated with DCC systems does not exist. There are no unique two to four digit addresses that need to be remembered and assigned to each locomotive.  Instead, linking of the RCC HO Train Engineer transmitter and receiver is done with the swipe of a magnet and the pushing of a button.  Click here for HO Train Engineer product list