Yes, it does have all the controls. I usually use the automatic fireman though, as it's really hard to fire the engine and pay attention to the track ahead, speed, blowing the whistle for crossings (you can get penalized or wrecked if you hit a car at a crossing by not sounding the whistle), etc. There are activities that are like a job on a railroad. Making station stops in the right spot and staying on schedule with passenger, and setouts/pickups, and spotting cars in freight, along with meets, etc. You have all the #'s such as fuel and water levels available all the time. Not sure if it gives totals used at the end of the run.
It is certainly available for order from many places online.