Update as a result of testing earlier today.
A bit of research has revealed that the 27Mz Train Engineer was produced in four versions known by their date of introduction as 1994, 1996, 2000 and 2005 with some additional variation within some versions.
My own unit is a 1996 version set supplied in a box labelled 27.045 MHz CH 04. However its handset eventually completely failed and was replaced by an early 2000 version, with a ?rubber duck? antenna, that functions perfectly with my 1996 Rx.
The handset that started this topic appears physically identical to mine and also works in an identical manner as mine with the same Rxs.
After repair and subsequent successful testing with my 1996 Rx I took Cyril?s handset to the home my good friend John (forum member Royale) as he uses two 2000 units and one 2005 version. All three of his Rxs appear externally identical but the handsets all differ from each other and also differ from Cyril?s. All three of John?s handsets have telescopic metallic antennae, the only difference with Cyril?s in one case. Royal has one other 2000 version handset but this only has five frequencies rather than the more common ten, also the two direction buttons work differently as pressing either changes direction. On all the other units tested each button is for a specific direction and, once pressed, repeated pressing of the same button has no effect on direction of travel.
John?s third handset, the 2005 version, is distinguished buy the on/off and all stop buttons in place of the speed and direction ones of the earlier handsets.
Somewhat surprisingly the five frequency 2000 handset would only link and work with one of the three Rxs. In turn that Rx wouldn?t work with any other handset. In contrast his other 2000 handset works with both it?s own and his 2005 Rxs and vice versa.
Cyril?s handset also worked with both of these Rxs but not the one that only worked with the five frequency handset.
I recall seeing other five frequency handsets and being assured that there was no fault and they certainly worked with their respective Rxs.
From the above I concluded that Cyril?s handset now works as intended, however not all handsets are compatible with all Rxs.
I therefore recommend that anyone purchasing a Train Engineer Rx or Tx as an individual item either tests it with their existing unit(s) before purchase or ensures that they will get a full refund if it proves unsuitable even though it may not be defective as such.
Edit, frequency of my unit corrected to 27.045MHz, I originally stated 27.05 Mhz
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