Model Railway Forum

Two variations using lining tape.

Quite a good video using Steve's tape technique - Building a control panel, Part 1
Might be useful.

I've seen layouts smaller than that panel - looks effective though.
For comparison, my panel with the lights is 2" x 4" and controls a board 4' long. In total I have five such panels - one for each board, so I don't need to take point switch wiring across the board joints.

This is my mimic board I made for my H0 layout.
It was made using a layout planning software - probably Hornby - and then altered in "paint" to add text and "Dots" for the drill holes.
The printout was then laminated , stuck to a plywood panel and drilled at the dots for LED point position indicators and push-buttons for the point motors. LEDs are just pushed through from the back into tight holes.
The panel is hinged at the bottom for wiring access.



Before anyone asks the box at top right is a remote point motor controller with IR handset ( left centre) which means I can control points and routes from anywhere in the room or by the panel push-buttons.

Hope this gives some ideas. Regards, Colin.

Use a sheet of graph paper to draw out your plan then transfer it to a suitable plastic sheet where you can replicate the lines and the points and drill holes for lights or whatever. If you really wanted to go down the software route, without any real cost, then use Excel.

Steve M wrote: ↑Tue Apr 02, 2019 9:00 pm I've seen layouts smaller than that panel...

My loft layout had an indicator panel 3’ x 2’6” hanging on the far wall of the loft. It was 10 gauge aluminium sheet found at work, with a wooden frame. The switching of points was from the laptop. The wiring was by way of ethernet cables. A tad over engineered.

Thank you everybody for all the suggestions - food for thought.
N.B. I loved the explanation about the remote control that you use to switch the points from anywhere in the room. Another genius idea - where do they come from.

N.B. I loved the explanation about the remote control that you use to switch the points from anywhere in the room. Another genius idea - where do they come from.

Hi. The IR control system came from Microminiatures but their website does not list this item now.
Regards, Colin.

Bit late to the party. I drew mine in word and printed it on A3 paper. Stick it to a 3mm board and drilled through the areas on the plan for switches and led's. Easy to amend if necessary.