A method and apparatus for designating a particular model vehicle for a command function without punching in the ID of the model vehicle. A remote control device is positioned near one of the model vehicles. A limited field transmission occurs between the model vehicle and the remote control device. The device may be a train engine transmitting its train ID periodically via an infrared (IR) transmission. The remote near the train automatically receives the IR transmission of the train ID, so that the next press of a command button will automatically go to that train ID without needing to punch in the ID number.