Topic 3 - Marklin Z Scale Toporama Model Train Layout - Touch Panel System- Part 3

A model railroad control panel is a central place where all or most of the electrical control of your layout take place.

It usually consists of toggle switches, train control throttles, tighting controls etc.

In this blog we are going to show case or demonstrate a control panel, which is simplified with user friendly interface based touch sensors.

The control panel is made for a simple track plan to cover the overall construction of the panel itself.

The main part in controlling the layouts is the toggle or momentary switches of the track turnouts, sidings, un-couplers or any appliance on the layout that operates on a coil motor.

There are various devices available to build your control panel, we will review 3 of them

1. The Marklin 72720 control boxes have red and green mechanical buttons which are used to momentarily operate solenoid coil of the turnouts, they are used for similar devices such as un-couplers and relays from Marklin

2.Berretthill Touch Toggle switch

Touch Toggles in a typical control panel. Touch Toggles are attached with adhesive tape to the back of a graphic design printed with a desktop inkjet printer, and mounted in an off-the-shelf frame. Lights in each Touch Toggle shine on the paper from behind, making bright dots that show each toggle’s position. The dots also serve as an easy to see target showing where to touch each control

3.Open Source Touch Panel System (Microcontroller Based)

This solution is developed based on TTP223 Touch sensor and Arduino open source microcontroller. The demonstration and making video is available below.

Hope you seen the video, its fairly easy method once you get the Arduino and the switches working together and you can control unlimited number of switches and any device on your layout.

The below chart compares all the 3 options and gives rating.

Conclusion: Over all the Open source method appears very cost effective and scalable, although it takes some effort at the initial set up stage, if you have any queries or want to build this panel like i did, please feel free leave message in the comments section below.