Control Panel Placement

[Anonymous]

I'm building a shelf layout 10' x 10' L shape. The corner where the to sides intersects will have a river and trestle. My question for today is, in your experience would I be better to have one control panel with my (2) MRC power packs and toggles and pushbuttons for the turnouts and blocks or would it be better to place the block control and turnout pushbuttons along the Fascia at the site of the action ? Yes the Future will hold DCC, but for the next 6-9 months at least Money dictates DC Cab Control. I may be adding one walkaround tethered throttle. Thanks, Dave

[rrinker]

That kind of depends on how soon the walkaround and/or DCC comes. With walkaround control it's a lot nicer to have the control spread out at the actual location, so when you are switching an industry 'over there' you don;t have to run 'back there' to throw the turnout. When operating from fixed cabs only, just the opposite occurs, and it would be better to have the control panel right in front of you, probably flanked by the two MRC cabs.

--Randy

[Anonymous]

The walkaround will come soon. There are some on Ebay all the time for $35.00 that look pretty good. The DCC wil definitely take considerable time more. I want to have a good solid running RR before I go that route. I did order all my switches today so I can do some wiring between the holidays. Dave

[Anonymous]

Be careful what you buy on e-bay!
Go to www.the GMLenterprises.com and check out his ROVER throttle.
It's not very expensive, easy to use, and very well made with a 5 yr. warranty.
I've had one in use over 10 years with no problems at all.
You can mount the panel in the corner of your layout and walk to any location to throw turnouts, un-couple cars, or whatever.
Good luck,
gtirr

[michealfarley]

We installed around a dozen control panels on our layout ABOVE the layout in the fascia that hides the lighting. This is fantastic, as there is no way to bump a toggle or button with your body and throw a switch accidently or break something off.

Part of this also depends on how you plan to operate your layout. If you want a central dispatcher with simulated CTC control, all your mainline turnout controls should be at one location, where the dispatcher sits. If you are modeling a more secondary main or branch line, then have controls on site, as in real life, these can only be thrown when someone is present to throw them. With a 10 x 10, I'd probably have a panel on each leg of the "L". Again, if you plan to operate prototypically, clearly and thoroughly label the tracks on the panel so operators know what is what.