To answer your question about direction control, it is in the polarity of the track. This is a DC engine, so one rail is plus, the other minus. In this configuration, the engine goes only one direction. Reverse the track polarity, and the engine goes in the opposite direction. This is fine, so long as you don't have a reversing loop built into the layout. To prevent a short circuit, special wiring is needed. HO and 2 rail scale people are very familiar with the situation and how to deal with it. 3 rail people don't need to worry, as the center rail addresses the issue. They are also less likely to know about it.
You have a nice piece there. Keep raw AC away from it! BTW, You can use your CW transformer IF you install a bridge rectifier on the output BEFORE the voltage gets to the track. An appropriately wired Double Pole Double Throw (DPDT) electrical switch will provide the ability to reverse track polarity and engine direction.
Chris
LVHR
