Control panels, how do you control switches? (Pics)

I, also, like control panels;  but I'm really not proud of the way they look because most of the track diagrams are painted, free hand.  Always figured on re-doing the track diagrams when I get a "round tuit".  But basically, I have a main control panel to handle most of the main line and, since both the engine yard and the passenger terminal are adjacent to the main panel, the switch and siding power switches are all on the main panel, and the switch controls are mostly the old Train America slow speed DC switch motors and where there wasn't space to install those motors under table, I've used Z-Stuff 2500 series slow speed motors.  There are also a half dozen or more, ground throw switch controls where they are in close access to the layout edge.

 

The freight yard has a separate panel and those switches are controlled by choke cables.  Yard tracks are also on separate power toggles.  I have a branch line that separates from the main with five switches, also choke cable controlled with taggles for two of the siding tracks and these are on still another panel.  I also have a raised section of the main line that has a siding and a run-around track and these are also controlled at their own small panel.  Finally, I have an intermediate section of table that hosts a small town with industry, station and freight house all with their own separate control switches.

 

So, let me see now;  that makes a total of five control stations for operating in different parts of the layout.  Still, don't want to take photos of them, quite yet.

 

I have a good friend with a layout a lot bigger than what mine is, and he has absolutely no control panel (s).  But I notice that he rarely "operates" his trains but is happy just to have them "running" around the layout.  Do you think that operators are more likely to have control panels than do the guys that are just content to let 'em run?

 

Paul Fischer

Old School - The good old Lionel controllers that come with O-22 Switches

My control panel is basically a plywood box on casters.

Steve

Another old school panel. I will have to get some better pics to post from a better angle.

 

Turnout control using DCS and miniature pushbuttons

 

I use DCS/AIU control as well as miniature pushbuttons for control of turnouts.  I also have a Dispatcher Panel with LEDs which indicate turnout position. I also have a panel containing RailKing turnout controllers which can also be used by visitors to the layout.

 

I try to keep the diagram as proportional as possible with the bottom hinged for easy access. This is done with mini toggles and 1/8" striping for model planes/RC cars. Turntable control is included on lower right corner.

 

 

Guy - Neat idea!  Haven't seen it done exactly like that, but it looks like it does a great job.

 

Paul - Very interesting.  I think the "operators" are more likely to use manual turnout controls as it is more like a brakeman changing his own switches.  I like the central control from a tower style, but to each his own.

 

Steve - You have a very nice clean look to your panel. 

 

Rob - Looks great!  I especially like the young engineer.

 

pro hobby - Love your very neat, organized wiring!

 

SoCalStu - Very nice looking panel!

 

Some beautiful jobs here, thanks for sharing.

 

Art

Over a year ago I had two areas with control panels. The small one I took out after testing it. Then I dismantled EVERYTHING in the room and started all over right down to adding Quiet Brace on top of the bench work. The legacy in the picture is new and was not hooked up. I was totally conventional.

 

The layout I'm working on will be a lot different with conventional, Cab-1 and Cab-2. In areas where I have remote switches and any operating accessories the controls will be very close to them. I had a problem before because I could not see half the things I wanted to control with the switches on the main panel. This time I'll love the ability to walk around and flip any switch I want to play with and SEE it work. The other layout  was a learning experience and loss of a lot of work. But, still having fun. I'm also applying a lot of things I have learned from other members here.

Under construction (changing around)as of today
Adding a second yard

1991 I visited Trainland USA in Colfax Iowa. Must see if in Iowa. Really great layout.

I took this picture of their control panel.  Lots of O-22 switch controllers.

Nice track plan with toggle switches.

 

Steve

It's old school style, no remote control and remembering what switch is what number, but it works great, and easy to figure out what switch is thrown which direction. The LEDs go green for normal and yellow for alternate route. Block control for sidings, industry tracks, and engine tracks.

 

I have 58 turnouts, of which 22 make up 11 crossover pairs, so I need 47 controls.

 

Right now all are controlled through five DCS AIU's with the remote.

 

 

And all are wired to the main control panel, and momentary up/down with center off toggle switches, located along the bottom of the panel, controls them. Also, a bi-color (Grn/Red) at each turnout location on the panel indicates through or diverging route. (The toggle switches on the tracks turn the track blocks on/off.)

 

 

Next will be computer control where JMRI displays the layout on the TouchScreen monitor and will control the turnouts by simply touching the screen. (I am just starting on this...)

 

Alex

 

Very cool Alex. I'm going to need a bigger monitor to display my layout, so I'm not sure if I'll be able to use the touch screen. Even if I had to use a mouse, that is the general direction I want to go.

Art,

with a layout like yours take it one step further and put in train location lights in between switch location lights.Even if its only 2 LEDS on  each route. I ve always wanted to this but was waiting for better techno.  

 

Alex  when you get further along please start a thread (or point me to it)on your Computer control panel. I am extremely interested...

Larry - looks like a fun panel to operate.

 

Joe - Good luck with your second yard.

 

Steve - Trainland is a great place to visit.  We always used to pass the exit to it on I-80 when we went back to visit relatives in northwest Iowa.

 

laidoffsick - Very nice panel diagram and LED's.

 

Alex - Who says that you can't have it all?  That is awesome.  Please keep us posted on your progress.

 

Patrick - We have considered that and may still try it, but I opted for smaller localized panels and do not have a master panel for the whole layout.  We thought it would be very cool to watch train's progress by LED's on the control panel.  It would also be helpful spotting where they are in some of the tunnels.  I participated in a very large HO layout as a boy in Spencer, IA that was built in a display building at the county fairgrounds.  It was built by the owner of the local radio station and he had his chief engineer wire everything.  It had a master control panel that had indicator lights of each of the train's locations.  Very cool!

 

Art

And then, there's the LOW TECH way. It works...Go figure!

Ok, time to bring out the big guns!

 

A recent visit to the Stamford (CT) Model Railroad Club

 

Six LCD monitors with 4 cameras feeding each one

 

Main control panel

 

 

I was impressed!  All very traditional in design (except for the monitors).  It's a shame the public never gets to see the controls, they are located deep within the center of the layout.  Public viewing is only along one side, behind plexiglass.

 

Ed

I have absolutely nothing to contribute to this thread, but this is one thing I look forward to doing.  Great pictures and ideas guys

Wow!  Ed, that sound you may have heard was my mouth dropping open!  What an awesome et of controls!  It's a shame that the visiting public doesn't get to see this.

 

Thanks for sharing.

 

Art

chugman, do you have a track plan on your web site?

Forrest - I'm sorry that I don't.  I used to have one of the main level, but not the upper.  My son and I recently entered everything into RR software, but I haven't seen a finished copy of it yet.  I need to get busy and get one.

 

Art 

My of my, I think a few of you must have worked at NASA. Very nice.

Art,

 

It's a very interesting club, built in the basement of a 100 year old church. Low ceilings.  Real nice bunch of guys, but kind of "it's 2 rail or it's not a real model railroad" approach.  Scoffed at the mention of 3 rail layouts.  But, as I said, nice guys, invited me in to view and take pictures, offered lots of info!

 

A few more...

 

Patron viewing area  (to get in, you climb under between the white rails)

 

If you look below the clock on the right side of the pictures, you will see where the visitors are.

 

 

Ed

Patrick wrote:

“Alex  when you get further along please start a thread (or point me to it)on your Computer control panel. I am extremely interested...”

 

Art wrote:

“Alex - Who says that you can't have it all?  That is awesome.  Please keep us posted on your progress.”

 

I will be very glad to do so, but it will take a little while. You see, I was coming right along with a supposedly viable approach, but had to change course in mid-December, and not by my choice. I started with another approach a month ago, and I think it will be fine, but I had to start pretty much from scratch. 

 

Elliot:

I think your layout would be a perfect candidate for this sort of control. Perhaps dual-touchscreen monitors?

 

Alex