Easy Control Panel for Your Model Railroad Layout

In this video I will show you how to build an easy control panel for your model railroad layout. Almost every model railroad needs at least one control panel of some sort. In this video I will show you how to build an easy control panel that can be used in a variety of ways to control your layout.

17331 E US Highway 40, Suite 107
Independence, MO 64055
[phone]

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Contents:
0:00 Intro
2:20 Working with Acrylic
3:08 Making the Track Diagram
6:10 Drilling Acrylic
7:31 Mounting Lights and Toggle Switches
7:58 Touching Up
8:21 Finished Control Panel

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Credits:
🤘 Theme Song: "Extremes" by the Lemming Shepherds
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

[IMRROcom]

I would like to see more videos like this!, Thanks

[SFCRambo]

I used the same method to make game boards and 70s crazy designs. Lots of fun.

[williamflowersrailfannerpr]

Thanks for the video Ron you are awesome 👌 👏 👍

[conway]

Ron…you can also use a flame before you paint…to clear and round the edges of the plexiglass instead of sanding…thanks for the video,

[timhamilton]

Welcome back Ron! Nice to see another video, thank you for making it.

[NScaleDystopia]

Nice, simple, effective. Thanks for sharing.

[TheTrainFreak]

Looks great Ron! I went a little bit of a different route on creating mine. Since I am going the LCC Route, I used the momentary push button from RR-Cirkits that have built in LEDs (R, Y, G) where I only had to only drill one hole per switch. Also I ended up using Pinstripe paint that you can buy from an auto parts store like Autozone, Napa, etc. and the two sizes works great to demonstrate the mainline vs. sidings, spurs, and branchlines. - Jason

[tommynorwood]

Hey Ron glad to see you. Looking forward to seeing how you wirer the board up. Thanks for sharing. Have a good day.

[odeooo]

Hey Ron, glad your ok...was getting worried when you hadn't posted a new video in awhile.

[johnbanicki]

Good work. Simple enough for anyone to build.

[chicagodenvernorthern]

Nice work Ron. Looking forward to the rest of the series.

[medwaymodelrailway]

Very nice video Ron you put together lots going on thanks for sharing and liked DD.

[OldToby]

Thanks. Looking forward to the wiring video.

[smcnishdroid]

Great video series, can’t wait for the rest of the videos! Glad you’re back, I’ve missed your videos.

[flyboy]

When drilling plastic sheet, I drill a 1/8" pilot hole amd then use a step drill to gradually enlarge the hole to its final size.

[Ryan-fnnr]

Thanks for doing these videos Ron, they've been a great help as I continue to expand in the hobby. Just need the right house & basement now

[openeyes-]

Hi Ron, nice clean looking panel!
A tip for drilling acrylic is to back grind the lead cutting edge of your drill bit to about 30° - this stops the tendency for the bit to "bite" thus preventing crackage, because it's actually "shaving" the material...
Slow speed, no oil required.
Hope this helps.

EDIT:
Having used plexi/acrylic for several projects, I have a set of common sized bits I keep separate just for this material.

[louisletourneau]

Great project !
A good way to drill a hole on a slippery surface is to drill a small pilot hole first

[sbjohnso]

Dang I have to redo mine. This is so much better. Thanks for the video.

[Adamdaj]

On the Central Jersey Conral N scale Joe has his control panel with barrel key switches to simulate locking and unlocking turnouts and derailers.