Help with Control Panel's

[ehc45]

Been in the hobby for years, but just starting to get serious about a perm. display. I'm interested in producing a control panel for my layout such as I've seen on the pages of Classic Toy Trains. Outside of cutting the wood to accommodate all of the switches and the Z-4000 and Lionel ZW transformers, how do I get the adhesive (?) track outline and mark the blocks and such to make this a professional looking job. Also is there any rule of thumb as to how block switches, and switch controllers should be positioned. Any help, articles, downloads, books would be greatly appreciated.

[Anonymous]

For mounting your toggles, gauges or panel meters, you can use 1/8' masonite for the base panel and paint it with enamel or cover with vinyl self sticking shelf liner. Multi-colored auto body pin striping will work for doing a schematic of your layout's track.

[wrmcclellan]

The pin-striping tape sold for RC models also works (same as automotive but available at a local RC hobby shop).

Make sure you apply sealer to the masonite before painting (if you go this route). It soaks up paint like a sponge and requires several coats if you do not seal it.