Control Panel/Mimic Board

[The Sligo Rover]

Help please, can anybody suggest the best way to draw the track diagram for this.
Can it be done on ‘Word’ or some other simple free piece of computer software?
Ideas and suggestions please, you chaps normally have all the answers.

[RogerB]

How large/complex is your track plan? You may be better off with with ruler, compass and felt tip pens. If larger then SCARM will allow you to draw and plan for free. You could then select black for the track colour and print that - but you are restricted to A4 paper. I imagine Anyrail will do something similar (and which is free up to 50 track pieces) so that might be better if you produce segments of the plan and glue them together. R-

[Steve M]

Either Scarm or Anyrail will create an 'exact' track plan but if you want a schematic diagram then a basic drawing package would probably work. Sorry but I don't know of one off the top of my head.
For my panels, I went 'old school' and used thin lining tape under the trade name 'nobo' used for marking out whiteboards and available fron stationery suppliers.

[The Sligo Rover]

It will be two boards/panels, nothing huge, each with about a dozen points on them.

[RogerB]

Sounds as though SCARM will not suit your needs, as it will represent the layout in too small a space. Anyrail might if you want to stick the sheets together, but to be honest I think you are better off going totally homemade and along the route Steve has suggested, especially if you want to add switches, LEDs or text. R-

[teedoubleudee]

On my previous layout I just used a permanent black marker pen on white plastic sheet, with the aid of a ruler of course. Then drilled holes in the appropriate places for leds and switches.

[rynd2it]

I used SCARM, cleaned up the output in Paint (removing track ends etc) and then had a printer produce it on A3 vinyl.

Result:

[Walkingthedog]

Very good. I like Steves tape idea. You can easily change it later.

[Steve M]

Very good. I like Steves tape idea. You can easily change it later.

I do, often.

[bulleidboy]

I did the same as Steve M - used a pin striping kit from Halfords.