Pictures of your control pannel would be helpful.

If it is a control panel you seek, "Son of Chugman" is your guy. I am at a loss for his name - Jim I think, posts as "IBEW" or something like that.

If he doesn't sho up here, check "Chugman" posts (Search) and you will find him and his work.

There have been several threads about this very subject. Here is an example, rather recent:

https://ogrforum.com/d...499#3259945172996499

Hope this helps.

Alex

You might consider a different direction, what with all the DCS, TMCC, and Legacy command control systems/features available today. No control panel at all.

I mounted all my transformers under the layout and ran power feeds to local terminal boards, then feeds to the track. For yard/engine terminal sidings, I simple ran the track power feeder wire thru a toggle switch, and mounted the toggle switches along the outer edge of the walk-around layout, near those sidings. Thus no control panel.

A typical operating session at the club!   And yes we can run both TMCC and DCS!    Russ

Hey Russ: I take it that has four Z4000's + ten 180 watts bricks powering it?????????

Is that not a pic of the control panel at Chernobyl ?

Is that not a pic of the control panel at Chernobyl ?

Yep! Sure is! The HAt's the giveaway!

The son of Chugman, Jim Williams is the answer to anybody's desire for the ultimate control table/panel. If you need a contact number, just e-mail me and I will provide this for you. Jim is not only a very clever electrician/layout builder but is a really nice all-around train guy.

I thought that panel looked familiar!

Actually here is the dispatch panel from the club:  Russ

Checking the link Ingeniero (thank you, sir, I enjoyed it) reminded me of how much pleasure there is in our hobby, seeing all the diverse approaches to all of its many aspects. We each express ourselves so differently, and yet enjoyably.

Here is mysimple approach to powering-up the whole shebang. Control is accomplished through my TMCC.

Frank

Here are my two yard panels.  There is one at each end of the yard.

Here they are together.

Dave

Guys,

Thank you for posting your pics.  Alex, thanks for the other reference.  Somehow I missed it.  There are a lot of good ideas here and I can take parts of each (Russ's picture of Chernobyl might be a little excessive and bring back bad memories of 3 mile island  .

What has always interested me were those like you have Dave of your yard.  How are the plates made with the diagram on them?

Thanks again for posting.

You know I always had  a control panel and transformers in plain sight. It was like high tech art!

But now with Command control the ZW's stay hidden under the layout and the block toggle switches if needed are located in a walk around style location.

Layouts have changed forever...

Main Control Panel for turnouts and switched tracks

Installed out of visitors reach - The power and control carts are located under the table.


Photo tour of my Run Room available - Click on Layouts then Photo Location Arrows.
See here  http://www.slsprr.net/photo_ga...efault.htm#PHOTOTOUR

I'm too embarrassed to post a picture of my Frankenpanel ... it's a spaghetti special and half-way moved to a new location to make room for the turntable tracks ... plan ahead, who me?

It started out as "just two switch controllers for the x-ov"er ... and just grew and grew ... always " it's just temporary ..."

Mark your panel and drill all the holes then paint the panel a base coat, then apply striping tape.  Take your time and it is really pretty easy to do.  If its a panel that is going to get a lot of use I also spray a very light clear coat over the final panel.  Russ

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/WTI0093p?C=QAF

I thought this was built by Tim the toolman Taylor.  MORE POWER!!!!

Here's the control panel from my old layout....

Paul

We were over visiting at a friend's home last weekend that has a number of control panels that my son, Jim, has built. This layout has everything controlled by the control panels including total layout power, all accessories, building lighting, track lighting, exhaust fan, sound boards, and etc. Watching him operate his layout is like a conductor leading an orchestra.

It sounds like you want to build your own panels, but if you decide that would like them done for you, Jim would be glad to work with you.

Art 

Mine is 3 Z-1000's in a row. Call me Joe amateur!!!!

John,

If you are running conventional, then ignore the following. 

I am using TMCC to control trains, switches, and accessories.  I'm still thinking about what I will do with lighting (if anything).  I have no control panel nor do I have plans to build one.  Switches are thrown either thru the CAB-1 or by the DZ-2502 push-buttons on the fascia (close to the switch itself).  Track power is provided by 180w PowerHouses (no handles).

Best,

George

Thanks for the nice comments Harry and Brian.  I have been quite busy lately working on customers layouts.  When I finally have time at the computer, it is working on track plans and proposals.  I haven't had a chance to look at the forum in awhile.  My control panels are all designed on the computer to the customers satisfaction and then quoted a price.  There is no fee for this process and will get you an idea of cost for a professionally designed and built control panel.

Jim

I'm interested in those "small switches" on the diagram.  What's the voltage/amp capacity on them and what make?  Thanks!

My small but effective control panel.  I used the fastrack switch controllers because I like seeing all the lights on when I darken the room and they are also easier for children to operate.  I use Legacy Cab-2 and Lionel brick with TPC for main track power and (hidden under the layout) a postwar ZW for structure lighting, signals, switch power and accessories.

TEX

Steve

Made this out of Oak and lexan. I painted the lexan black on the back side and mounted the turnout switches with LED indicators for a flush look.
The area in front of the transformers is hinged for access and is were the controls will be for operating accessories .

David

A lot of you folks have really neat, organized and uncluttered control panels. I would be shamed to post my pic here. Mine would look like a 3 mile accident ready to happen, with bottles of smoke fluid nearby, and spaghetti wiring. But everything does work.

Kerrigan,

I  bought the switches years ago online from Electronic Goldmine.  Here's a link to what I believe are the same switches currently for sale.... http://www.goldmine-elec-produ...nfo.asp?number=G1485

Paul

For some odd reason these items did not appear in The DCS O Gauge Companion by Barry Broskowitz. 

Control panel:

Power Source:

My control panels are made of 1/8 inch masonite, lines are auto pin stripe and switches are Radio Shack mini push button and slide switches, all inexpensive and available locally.  These switches are used in place of the switches that come with the Marx switches and uncoupling switches.  The slide switches are for lights and to control the track blocks. 

The top of the panel is in a groove and held in place with 3 countersunk screws along the bottom edge.  This way it can be lifted out as all wires have 12 inch or so slack.

Charlie

Paul,

I really like how your control panel slides out from under the table. Great idea! I am going to borrow your design for my table. Thanks for sharing this photo.

Bill

A lot of good ideas here.  I'm printing pics of each and will probably wind up with a combination of items.

Thanks again.