Thursday, December 27, 2012

Control Panels

The main line and coal tipple area turnout control panels are complete and installed.  Much more fun to operate trains now that I don't have to reach in and throw the switches manually!

Each turnout (a model railroad term - means a track switch - turnout is generally used to differentiate these from electrical switches) is controlled from one of these panels.  These join the original panel, seen in the August 2011 post "Continuing Fascia Work", which was redone to match these, and serves the lower staging area.  There will be (2) more panels - one each for the locomotive servicing area, and the brewery complex area.  There's no track in these areas yet!

The panels are made from a base of 1/8" Masonite and  1/16" clear Lexan, with a printed track schematic diagram sandwiched in between, and mount vertically behind the blue fascia board.  Each can be removed and laid down horizontally (as shown in the 2nd photo below) for servicing.

To change a turnout position, you move the appropriate toggle switch to the desired position, then press the button beneath the toggle.  This delivers a brief burst of power to the turnout solenoid to position it.