Thanks all, for your replies and help.
Currently trying to find any remotes for sale, new or used, as my son is a frequent user of the remote.
Need your opinions - should we splurge and get the wifi. or stick with the remote? I kinda like using the remote since I have the other hand free. Seems to me that using one hand to hold a tablet/phone, and the other hand to press buttons takes away from watching your trains. In addition, you need to SEE your phone/remote in order to use functions - whereas I can watch the action AND control a remote since I know where the buttons are to active the functions I use the most (speed, bell, horn, smoke, etc.).
what are you thoughts - thanks.