Do you have a switch/control panel for your layout? Let's see it!

Good thread and it does make the head hurt.  Would love to hear/see what some of you folks did on a non-club, personal mid-sized to small layout in terms of panels.  Everyone started somewhere but I'm sure you took some time to organize controls centrally, maybe a couple of cigar boxes is all you need to get started to mount switches on.  

My layout runs conventional control and is portable.  It was started over 40 years ago.

Picture of overall layout main board Actionable Touch Track Diagram Control Panel below.  Also shown are the two LW transformers and the turntable rotation crank handle on the left with red knob.

Actionable Touch Track Diagram Control Panel showing Track Plan of main board.  The control panel cover with the track plan can be slid down and bottom raised up to allow repairs or additions to the the panel.

Picture of inside the control panel, open for repairs or additions

The Actionable Touch Track Diagram I developed is a 1940-50s version of a Touch Screen laptop computer.  Many modern model train operators, that use DCS and DCC, walk around with remote controllers and have a layout with 20 or 30 switches, will have the same issues I would have if I just lined up 20 Lionel switch controllers.  The use of a small Actionable Touch Track Diagram control panel like mine, will make identifying the switches to be activated, for a given route of the train, easy and quick.  So this type of mini track push button switches on a track diagram still make operation a more modern controlled layout easier, quicker and more accurate (less switch throwing mistakes).

Two transformers were located on each side of the switch control diagram panel to allow two engineers to have convenient access to one transformer and the switch control panel.  A selector switch was installed to allow one transformer to operate the whole layout or switched to allow one transformer to operate the inner loop and the other to operate the outer loop.

All of the track was blocked and controlled as to “live” or “dead” by a slide switch on the control diagram panel.  The exception to this is all switches are always “live”.

Multiple trains operation on each loop was desired.  A major source of information for this feature was the booklet “Lionel O/O27 Train and Accessory Manual”,  No. 6-2953 Copyright 1975.  Part 8 starting on page 28 shows how to operate multiple trains on one loop by preventing one train from overtaking and running into the train ahead.  It does this by having insulated blocks controlled by a relay with train occupation sections.  A 5 ohm, 25 watt adjustable resistor is installed to keep engine E units from cycling when being halted to allow the lead loco to move ahead.   Installation of multiple train operation was easier due to the blocked track plan utilized.  Two slide switches on each loop control the multiple train operation.  One power ups the relay.  The other selects direction the trains are going, CW or CCW by setting which of the two detector section is to be used ahead of delaying block.

The control panel frame was made from ¾ boards and glued and screwed to side of the train board.  The center section is for the track diagram.   A section to the right and one to the left are for two transformers.  The control diagram panel is made from 1/8 inch tempered Masonite.  It was painted medium gray.  Radio Shack mini momentary push button switches and mini slide switches, both spdt and dpdt were used.  Push button switch buttons were painted green for main ovals and red for other.  The blue switch buttons are for uncoupling tracks.  The engineer must remember which direction the switches are set or can observe which direction the Mark 1590 switch is set!

1/8 inch color diameter dots from Dymo plastic tape cut with a hole punch were added to each push button switch to increase durability of the paint on the buttons.  1/8 inch wide white auto pin stripe was used to outline the diagram.

The black knob on the left in the track diagram selects the live turntable spur track to be activated with the black momentary push button switch when moving an engine on the spur track and the turntable bridge.  The turntable is homemade, works great and is rotated with the red knob crank to the left of the LW Trans in the top picture.  The turntable cost $10 using a used clothes dryer belt for movement.

Details of the layout and its construction are on the OGR topic linked below.

https://ogrforum.com/...ra-027-layout?page=1

Charlie

Here are my new control panels that my son, Jim, made for me.  

Art

We do have some talented folks, great thread!

Art you and your son Jim  do some great work. I would like to check it out someday.

          Scot.

Hi, Scot.  We will have to do that soon.  Stan has been getting the guys together for lunch on a fairly regular basis, we will have to get you on the list.

Art

Art, those are beautiful.  Well done.  I keep looking at them and will say those are the best I have ever seen.

I have these were ever there switch's around the layout I use  DCS so I can stand wright there and do switching . There Del Air .

Guy

Here is mine, a work in progress.

Art  I know about stan's  e-mails.  I was getting them for a wile. I am not sure if I am still getting them or not. maybe just ask him and see. I would like to get my layout started again. you remember seeing it. I was on a roll back about a year and a half. Painted the room, Painted the floor. had all new windows installed,  then last year I had Stump issues and that lasted from September till early spring.  now I have yard & reworking the soffit outside the garage.  well we will meet up when stan has one of his lunches planed .      Scot

Great thread.  Follow up question from those who use command control.  Do you prefer to have controls for switches, uncouplers, etc located on a central panel, or do you prefer them distributed around the layout close to the associated accessory?  

Separate question.  How big does a layout have to be before you have to worry about power districts?  Are there rules of thumb for that?

Marty Fitzhenry posted:

Pat and others, great job with the hinge so your panel can tilt back.   Over the years the subject of toggle switches in a panel has come up.  This is a job you do not want to do more than one time and I always told guys/gals to use the best quality switch you can buy.   

Marty, what brand switch do you recommend? This is a great thread and it has given me a lot of ideas. I especially like the use of the switches to allow the choice of running conventional or command. 

John

Chugmann, how did your son do the UP and bnsf graphics for your pannels. I am going to do the same thing someday as my layout is going to be UP and bnsf. Those are nice pannels and professional looking too.

Lionelzwl2012 posted:

Chugmann, how did your son do the UP and bnsf graphics for your pannels. I am going to do the same thing someday as my layout is going to be UP and bnsf. Those are nice pannels and professional looking too.

He makes them on his computer and then has them laminated and then applies it to sheet metal for support.  I love the professional look of them and they operate beautifully too.  A lot of work, but I think that they were definitely worth it.

Art

Art, if you don't mind me asking, what switches do you use along with what led's?

Here is ours,  Also built and installed by Chugman's son Jim.

mike g. posted:

Art, if you don't mind me asking, what switches do you use along with what led's?

Mike, I don't know exactly what he used.  He used to get them at Radio Shack, but I think he had to find a different source since they closed all or most of their stores.  When he was making a lot of them, he wanted to find a better source and better price than RS.  They never had enough when he needed them and were rather high priced.  Now he is so busy working at his primary job that he hasn't had much time to do train related activities.

Art

Thanks Art! If you find out, please let me know!

My switch board is mobile....as in MTH handheld!

John, any number of good switches can be found on the internet.    I have used many switches made by many makers.   I have a large supplier of switches in the town next to me.  The company is  You Do It Electronics in Needham, Massachusetts.  Hit them on the web and they do not carry anything unless it is the best made.   This company is also a huge supply depot for LED's.   Many model railroaders can be seen at the store.

If you cheap out on switches, you will regret it.   Switches, wire, and transformers are the backbone of your railroad.   Use good items and you will have a good railroad.

Thanks Marty, I will pay them a visit. I made a point to use heavy wire (#12 stranded), so no reason to skimp on cheap switches. 

While I am rather intimidated by the professional panels shown here and embarrassed by my humble control panel, here is mine!

I run TMCC.  My trains are what I had and my layout is a low budget layout.

My control panel shows a PLC (programmable controller) which I use for some of my layout's animations.  I also like to add sound to my layout which are the devices shown on the bottom of my wiring panel.

Terry

Coming in late to this thread with my version of a control panel. I have an AIU but frankly I just couldn't master throwing switches fast enough and, besides, I really like the green and red lights and the way they change as my consists make their way through a run.

It took me a couple of days to do the wiring (for which I had to buy some six-conductor wire to extend the amount that MTH provides) and I am very happy with my craftsmanship (albeit it rather amateurish). Nothing like what some of you master modelers have accomplished but a darn sight better than running around the 8x8 layout to throw the switches. 

This is my Control Panel.  I removed it from underneath my layout as through the years with numerous additions to the TMCC/LCS boxes the thing just got to jumbled.  It has slides on the sides so I can pull it out to do minor tweaks.  The barrier strips on the left are for connecting my switches.  The barrier strips to the right and front are to my track blocks.  All the remaining barrier strips are for the distribution of the Legacy/TMCC signals to the boxes.  I have the two (2) TPC's for the ability to run conventional and CC simultaneously, but have not done that in years.  I have a Prewar Z for one TPC and a Postwar Z for the other.  I have a Hampton Bay landscape transformer for all my accessories/lights on the table and run power to the TMCC/LCS boxes from a 1099 Transformer.  The transformers sit on a shelf underneath where this board slides in.  After taking this picture I removed the older IC Controls Block Power Controller and replaced it with a TMCC BPC and where my electric screwdriver is sitting, I added yet another TMCC BPC.

Everyone has such fancy control panels with route maps and switches on the map. My conventional layout just has a bunch of unlabeled block switches mounted in front of a ZW. I remember what each switch does, which is all that matters. Bask in the wonderfulness that is my janky, unprofessional looking, control panel. It works, which is good enough for me. 

Lou, simplicity has its virtues!  There is no right or wrong here.  What works for you is perfect in this instance.  

I built smaller local control panels... The layout is going to be 23 x 40 when finished, so I want to be able to control the switches when I am walking around running the train/ trains with my handheld remotes.....  There will essentially be either 4 or 5 of these sub panels when I am done.... Three are up and operational right now.   First two photos are the yard entrance with arrival / departure entrance off main, drill track, engine pocket for yard goat.   Second two photos, are the yard ladder and caboose spur.   Third panel (last 2 photos) is the other end of the yard, and entrance to the engine service terminal. 

 As many others have done,  the face plates are hinged for easy access from the top side, getting way too old to do this wiring upside down even with the nice creeper I built....   The tracklines are 1/8 inch auto pin striping tape.   

The 3rd one is now completed and installed, just haven't shot any photos since installation.  I built this one so that it slides into the fascia as it's a prominent place to take photos and the drawer front will be covered with the pennsy block walls.

Know whats nice about control panels? Once you close them, up all the wiring (dare I say rat nest ? (not that I would ever point a finger at my layout wiring )) disappears behind the nice neat front panel facade, hopefully forever.

@Dewey Trogdon or anyone who would know, what is the name of the clips that hold the TMCC base to the wood panel? I need a few.

Here's my control panels.  There are two hinged stainless panels located on either side of the ZW's.   The DCS and Legacy electronics are located accessibly on a shelf below the control panel.  Fixed voltage accessory power supplies and other controlling electronics are located under the table.

@shorling posted:

Here's my control panels.  There are two hinged stainless panels located on either side of the ZW's.   The DCS and Legacy electronics are located accessibly on a shelf below the control panel.  Fixed voltage accessory power supplies and other controlling electronics are located under the table.

Not as impressive as I would have hoped, what's the single button in the middle of the panel do?

John,

The title of this video is "Polar Bear in a Snow Storm".  The button starts and stops the video.

Mike

@ogaugenut posted:

Love Control Panels

I remember that guy from Flash Gordon Films.

  My control panel consists of 20 separate circuits - 4 with potentiometers which I can wire in any fashion - connected to a train transformer, battery power, or one of those AC/DC power packs used to run LED's.  I've found 20 circuits are adequate for any kind of lighting/power setup I may need for any diorama I might build.

   Here's an example - the control panel is in the lower left.  The diorama was the cover photo for the October 2020 issue of the Train Collectors Quarterly.

Thought to share a build up to the completion of a primary panel.

Dr. Hans Zarkov

now that I think about it, Zarkov at his control panel WAS very likely the impetus for my train control panels! Yikes!

I currently run trains on my layout with Legacy, and power comes from a combo of a 180W Brick and Legacy Powermaster. Once I add more track, switches, and possibly accessories, I will add the LCS Wi-Fi and other modules to run the layout with an I-Pad (for an easy to use and modify control panel), my Legacy remote (and a second remote), and maybe the I-Cab App. I like the technology with today's trains.

Here you go, Lionel LCS on my iPad controlling all the switches.  The second level is visible if you scroll the screen to the left.