The command signal transmits by radio usually, but the track doubles as a emitter antenna in some systems.
The foil hat the crazy guy on the corner wears may block an alien signal or may reflect it in a complimentary way, hard to say, every situation is different.
The 1033 is a decent medium sized 1 train unit capable of running most PW trains just fine and/or can power command ok too. A good step up would be an LW (125w) or 2-train KW(180w), VW(180w) ZW (250/or 275w), or near any prewar or modern equals over 125w.
I told you bumps were for the best, lol