DCC by Design

This client requested a control panel that would control all turnouts on the layout from a single position. In addition he wanted the control panel to display the block occupancy.

The picture showthe resulting control panel. It is approximately 18 x 24 inches and contains about 50 switches and 150 LEDs. The panel is designed so that it requires only a Loco Net connection to the Digitrax command station and power connections. The completed panel was assembled and tested prior to shipping. Once the layout panel arrived it needed only to be plugged into the Loco Net and the wall power to be operational.

Zooming in on one section of the panel, you can see the toggle switches to control the  turnouts. Note that the switches are aligned perpendicular to the track, so that one throws the switch towards the desired track. Between the two switches is the amber light which is lit when the block is occuplied. Beyond the two switches are their  red and green lights indicating the direction setting of the turnout.