 Joined: 01/07/2018(UTC) Posts: 11 Location: Ciudad de Mexico, Venustiano Carranza
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I wonder if you can help me with something related to a control panel circuitry: I've a large analog HO Marklin layout and I want to make a control panel (meaning by this a back lighted plexiglass screen showing the layout diagram) where I can easily look at where the turnouts are pointing (forward or turning, by using LEDs). The thing is, I don't know how the circuitry should be made in order to do that. I know that every time I push the red or green button on the control box 7072 to move the turnout, I should be able to recognize that signal and activate, for example, the LED that is indicating that the turnout is going straight and, the next time I push the button and the turnout moves, that LED should be off and the LED showing the turning direction should be on and so on. At least, that is the way I imagine the thing. Any thoughts or advice that anyone can give me will be very much appreciated! Thanks 
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 Joined: 03/08/2011(UTC) Posts: 1,571
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Hi there, It’s not straight forward and requires some wiring and relays. I never done it but did contemplate doing it when I initially had a analog layout. But have a look at post #39 here for a schematic: https://www.marklin-user...tch-position-identifiersHope this helps a bit... Best Regards Lasse |
Digital 11m2 layout / C (M&K) tracks / Era IV / CS3 60226 / Train Controller Gold 9 with 4D sound. Mainly Danish and German Locomotives. |
 1 user liked this useful post by Danlake
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 Joined: 04/02/2011(UTC) Posts: 3,555 Location: Paris, France
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Hi dodo57 (Funny first name ) Creating a control panel for an analog train takes a lot of cabling. Just to give you an idea here is what my control panel looked like   This was using a Roco product called MCS (1984). Very interesting but expensive. The control panel was made of a laminate with pre-cut horizontal and diagonal holes (and a brushed aluminum surface into which you would clip LEDs bars and a matrix-arranged set of contact scanning for switches etc. Loads of people wanted to have a control panel in the 1980-1990 but most gave-up because of huge wiring. Now it is very easy in digital and a control software such as Rocrail. Here is my "control panel:  All activated itineraries light in yellow and loco image can show in blocks When this is combined with a touch-screen display it is just great. Now all this does not solve your issue. My suggestions are: - you have to do all from scratch: flat panel with brushed aluminum coating - for lights, either you use round LEDs (easy to drill) or rectangular LEDs (more difficult to cut in the panel) similar to these https://www.ebay.de/itm/20-Piece...7aa38:g:J~MAAOSwHnFVxMvp- use micro push switches to control switches. - be prepared for a heavy and non flexible (in case you change your layout) piece of work. Cheers Jean |
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 Joined: 11/05/2013(UTC) Posts: 488
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I assume that you want to stay analog as I have. my reason was back in 1996 I did not understand it well and most of my equipment was analog. My solution was to install signals at key turnouts and avoid installing hidden turnouts, which resulted into some "interesting" compromises with the scenery. My layout has 50+ turnouts and the turnouts that do not have signals I depend on the lights on the turnouts. As I run simple routes in operation it works for me. I have three control panels on my U shaped layout and I made a schematic of the layout on each panel using thin detail strips from an auto supply store. I used a British idea that at the turnouts locations a brass screw was installed and to activate the turnout and a probe from the ground of the transformer to activate it. It does take a bit of wiring but it is simple. 
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3 users liked this useful post by SteamNut
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Joined: 01/07/2018(UTC) Posts: 11 Location: Ciudad de Mexico, Venustiano Carranza
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Originally Posted by: Danlake  Hi there, It’s not straight forward and requires some wiring and relays. I never done it but did contemplate doing it when I initially had a analog layout. But have a look at post #39 here for a schematic: https://www.marklin-user...tch-position-identifiersHope this helps a bit... Best Regards Lasse Thank you for your answer!
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Joined: 01/07/2018(UTC) Posts: 11 Location: Ciudad de Mexico, Venustiano Carranza
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Originally Posted by: JohnjeanB Hi dodo57 (Funny first name ) Creating a control panel for an analog train takes a lot of cabling. Just to give you an idea here is what my control panel looked like This was using a Roco product called MCS (1984). Very interesting but expensive. The control panel was made of a laminate with pre-cut horizontal and diagonal holes (and a brushed aluminum surface into which you would clip LEDs bars and a matrix-arranged set of contact scanning for switches etc. Loads of people wanted to have a control panel in the 1980-1990 but most gave-up because of huge wiring. Now it is very easy in digital and a control software such as Rocrail. Here is my "control panel: All activated itineraries light in yellow and loco image can show in blocks When this is combined with a touch-screen display it is just great. Now all this does not solve your issue. My suggestions are: - you have to do all from scratch: flat panel with brushed aluminum coating - for lights, either you use round LEDs (easy to drill) or rectangular LEDs (more difficult to cut in the panel) similar to these https://www.ebay.de/itm/20-Piece...7aa38:g:J~MAAOSwHnFVxMvp- use micro push switches to control switches. - be prepared for a heavy and non flexible (in case you change your layout) piece of work. Cheers Jean Thank you for your advice, Jean!
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Joined: 01/07/2018(UTC) Posts: 11 Location: Ciudad de Mexico, Venustiano Carranza
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Originally Posted by: SteamNut I assume that you want to stay analog as I have. my reason was back in 1996 I did not understand it well and most of my equipment was analog. My solution was to install signals at key turnouts and avoid installing hidden turnouts, which resulted into some "interesting" compromises with the scenery. My layout has 50+ turnouts and the turnouts that do not have signals I depend on the lights on the turnouts. As I run simple routes in operation it works for me. I have three control panels on my U shaped layout and I made a schematic of the layout on each panel using thin detail strips from an auto supply store. I used a British idea that at the turnouts locations a brass screw was installed and to activate the turnout and a probe from the ground of the transformer to activate it. It does take a bit of wiring but it is simple. Thank you for sharing your experiences!
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 Joined: 16/08/2014(UTC) Posts: 619 Location: Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
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Hi,
What do you use to change the points?
Thanks |
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Modelling west Denmark era IV - possibly with some out-of-place elements!
Marklin C-track + CS3+
12m2 layout to be controlled by RocRail |
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Joined: 01/07/2018(UTC) Posts: 11 Location: Ciudad de Mexico, Venustiano Carranza
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Originally Posted by: morsing Hi,
What do you use to change the points?
Thanks Hi, Morsing. I'm not sure if I understand your question: if you refer about how do I change the turnout, I'm using the Marklin control box 7072. I'm not using an electronic/mechanical switch. Rgds
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Joined: 01/07/2018(UTC) Posts: 11 Location: Ciudad de Mexico, Venustiano Carranza
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Originally Posted by: Danlake Hi there, It’s not straight forward and requires some wiring and relays. I never done it but did contemplate doing it when I initially had a analog layout. But have a look at post #39 here for a schematic: https://www.marklin-user...tch-position-identifiersHope this helps a bit... Best Regards Lasse Hi, Danlake I'd review the whole post chain that you suggested and found the exact circuit design that I need. Thank you so much for your help. Rgds Gustavo
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Joined: 16/08/2014(UTC) Posts: 619 Location: Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
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Originally Posted by: dodo57
Hi, Morsing. I'm not sure if I understand your question: if you refer about how do I change the turnout, I'm using the Marklin control box 7072. I'm not using an electronic/mechanical switch.
Rgds
Hi, I can't tell from your post but is this old M-track with electric points? Henrik |
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Modelling west Denmark era IV - possibly with some out-of-place elements!
Marklin C-track + CS3+
12m2 layout to be controlled by RocRail |
1 user liked this useful post by morsing
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Joined: 01/07/2018(UTC) Posts: 11 Location: Ciudad de Mexico, Venustiano Carranza
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Originally Posted by: morsing Originally Posted by: dodo57
Hi, Morsing. I'm not sure if I understand your question: if you refer about how do I change the turnout, I'm using the Marklin control box 7072. I'm not using an electronic/mechanical switch.
Rgds
Hi, I can't tell from your post but is this old M-track with electric points? Henrik Correct. M Track
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Joined: 02/02/2017(UTC) Posts: 694 Location: England, South Coast
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If I were to stop using the Marklin boxes I guess I need to find a momentary toggle switch (on off on) so that after switching the switch 'lever' still shows which way the point is set. In other words the lever is never central
Regarding the switch, do I have my terminology correct and does such a thing exist?
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Joined: 02/02/2017(UTC) Posts: 694 Location: England, South Coast
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or is it described as on/on?
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Joined: 11/05/2013(UTC) Posts: 488
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You can find a switch that is on-off-on with momentary contact but the toggle will always go back to the center.position. That is why you need a activate a relay to power a light to show position and that is why it gets complicated, not to mention expansive. Using a signal would be about the same price (I guess) and simpler to wire.
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Joined: 01/07/2018(UTC) Posts: 11 Location: Ciudad de Mexico, Venustiano Carranza
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Originally Posted by: SteamNut You can find a switch that is on-off-on with momentary contact but the toggle will always go back to the center.position. That is why you need a activate a relay to power a light to show position and that is why it gets complicated, not to mention expansive. Using a signal would be about the same price (I guess) and simpler to wire. Thanks for the advice
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 Joined: 15/12/2005(UTC) Posts: 3,589 Location: Spain
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Originally Posted by: Michael4 If I were to stop using the Marklin boxes I guess I need to find a momentary toggle switch (on off on) so that after switching the switch 'lever' still shows which way the point is set. In other words the lever is never central
Regarding the switch, do I have my terminology correct and does such a thing exist? Yes, Fleischmann did that with their controls! It *WAS* pretty common for its time, so maybe should be easy to find on Ebay?! |
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Joined: 02/02/2017(UTC) Posts: 694 Location: England, South Coast
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Our son sent me this, which I don't understand. Switch and indicator lights. When he is allowed to come and see us I'll get him to explain unless anyone else can enlighten me??? http://tinyurl.com/y9sw7rru .
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Joined: 23/07/2014(UTC) Posts: 8,464 Location: ENGLAND, Didcot
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Originally Posted by: Michael4 Our son sent me this, which I don't understand. Switch and indicator lights. When he is allowed to come and see us I'll get him to explain unless anyone else can enlighten me??? http://tinyurl.com/y9sw7rru . I can make it work, but not sure precisely what it is supposed to do apart from turn one of the lamps on for a short time. The schematic is badly drawn, it would be easier to follow if better drawn. To operate click on the switch over by the battery on the right (the device at the top of the diagonal grey wire).
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Joined: 11/05/2013(UTC) Posts: 488
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I agree it is poorly drawn but to me to appears to me a "latching " relay, or perhaps a solenoid. with a separate power source for the lights.
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 Joined: 27/03/2010(UTC) Posts: 338 Location: Norway
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Hi – here is an example of a control panel I made in the beginning of the 90, s as I planned analog layout. I still use it as only my trains run digital. As you see there is a lot of throttles and led for turnouts(relay) and signals. All sidings incl. overhead can be turned off/on. I can select analog or digital. It was a lot of soldering and wiring; you don’t get a better track plan idea after this job.  Work perfect after nearly 30 years Torstein 
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7 users liked this useful post by Torstein
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Joined: 05/12/2008(UTC) Posts: 1,801 Location: Crozet, Virginia
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Originally Posted by: Torstein Work perfect after nearly 30 years
Torstein Wonderful job Torstein  That is really a beautiful and functional control panel, but in my opinion it is also a work of art. |
Regards,
Jim
I have almost all Märklin and mostly HO, although I do have a small number of Z gauge trains!
So many trains and so little time. |
1 user liked this useful post by dickinsonj
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