If you are referring to item 2129060 Road Crew, the following is from MrMuffinsTrains;

• Includes separate switch box for On/Off control - This is a miss print and the cooler is the on/off switch instead.

As for powering from your transformer, Lionel has this power adapter so that the plug remains intact on the accessory, also available from MrMuffinsTrains.

Hi Greg,

Thanks for the information on the non-existent remote control.  It's really annoying that after spending $100 on an accessory, I need to spend another $20 (cable+tax+shipping) in order to operate it.  They should have included the cable with it since it probably isn't worth more than maybe $2.  Or they should have given information on how to cut the plug off and just use the exposed wires.  If I can find out what the wires are inside the cable, I may still just do that.

LionelFlyer

By definition, Lionel's Plug 'n Play accessories are designed to work with their Plug 'n Play system.  If you want it to work in a non-Plug 'n Play environment, you can purchase the above pigtail.

Although I don't have your exact accessory, most have three wires - white, red and black inside the main conductor. If you cut off the plug, my experience is to simply seal off the white wire (electrical tape, liquid electrical tape, etc.) and connect the red and black wires to your power source in the ordinary way. However, I cannot guarantee that this will work with your particular accessory.

Make sure your power source is of the correct current (AC or DC) and voltage required for your accessory