Custom Panel Manufacturer

[Clay Smith]

I'm looking for a company that makes panels, i.e. for a yard panel. It seems like I've seen where there is such a company, but a search has not turned up anything, except a company in England. Is anyone aware of such a company? Thanks in advance.

Clay Smith

Hopkinsville KY

[BigDaddy]

There is one in Australia.  I'm not interested in looking up the currency rates for 362 Aussie dollars, but you might be

http://controlpaneldesigns.com/specifications/

And one in the US  http://www.trainyardsales.com/panel.htm

There are other panel makers for electrical devices that use custom silk screen printing.  I wouldn't imagine a model railroad panel would be difficult, but that word custom is going to rhyme with expensive.

[RR_Mel]

I build my own control panels, with all the goodies available now days it’s a snap to come up with a professional looking panel.

 

I’m a weirdo and don’t go with what looks like most model railroaders use.  I have an actual track plan on my panel so that the little ones can easily operate my layout.

 

 

I operate in both DC and DCC modes, the DC power supply is mounted above the MRC DCC controller in the right side of the control panel.

 

I start out with .040” sheet Aluminum as the base and cover that with a sheet of .060” PETG Clear Plastic Sheet. 

 

 

I sandwich a drawing of my layout between the Aluminum and the plastic to protect the drawing.

 

 

I use a piano hinge so that I can easily get to the goodies inside.

 

 

I label the switches and LEDs on the under side of the panel to make the wiring easier.  I use DB connectors between the panel and the housing so that I can work on the panel at my workbench.

 

 

The DB connectors feed Euro Connector blocks and Buss terminals.

 

 

 

 

As Henry stated “that word custom is going to rhyme with expensive” if you purchase one.  I doubt if I have more than $50 in the panel (less the switches and other goodies).

 

 

EDIT:

 

I found out the hard way many years ago drilling PETG/Plexiglas with standard drill bits doesn't work without cracking.  The plastic drill bit makes it easy for drilling holes cleanly through the PETG/Plexiglas.  I drilled a total of 71 holes in the Acrylic Plexiglas panel without a single problem.  Every hole is clean cut without any rough edges.

 

 

 

 

Mel

 

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

 

[Nevin]

That is really useful information. Especially the plastic drill bit. Thank you for taking the time to post that.

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Clay .... I just sent a private message to you with the forum message system..... ( Start a conversation)........ One of the guys here at the lake has a panel he made himself which was not too difficult. .... Garry 

 

Mel .... Your panel is very impressive.