I have a central control panel but I use a tether mounted throttle so I can move with the trains if I am switching in another part of the layout.
The Layout Design Special Interest Group (LD SIG) came up with a distinction that I have always found helpful related to this topic.
It all depends on which you prefer to be: railfan or engineer? If you prefer to be a railfan, you actually enjoy being in one location and watching trains roll by. If you prefer to be an engineer, you want to walk with the train, and follow it as it goes along.
And of course, most of us are not purists. We all tend to be some combination of both, some more railfan and others more engineer.
Not only does this preference influence control preferences, but it can affect the entire layout configuration. If you are mostly railfan, then “spagetti bowl” track plans don’t bother you as much, because they are more fun to railfan.
On the other hand, if you are mostly engineer and want to follow the train, then a linear walk around layout design that gives a sense of progressing from point a to point b would be a preference.
Very useful way of looking at things, I have found. Are you more railfan or engineer?
I have a central control panel next to that part of the layout where most of the swiching takes -place and a satellite panel at another busy switching area. I have a walk around control for following trains and for setting out en picking up cars away from the control panels. I find it a very satisfying set up.
I had a central panel on my ‘first’ layout(5x9). My current layout is in a 20x25 ft area, and was built with 3 panels and walk around throttles. To do any switching, or even trying to watch why an engine is derailing, you need to be right up to the action - walk around makes sense. I have since converted to DCC and have radio throttles - never would go back!
Jim Bernier
My layout is designed for walk around, but I will be using a computer to perform CTC functions. There was no plan to have a “central control panel”, though now that the subject has come up, it would be cool and easy to add a CTC panel and have the option of using a human dispatcher. There will be local mini panels to control non mainline turnouts.
I like to be engineer. My guests can have their choice of railfan or engineer. Pick up a throttle, and you’re engineer!![8D]
Combination of both.
My control panel will consist of two throttle packs but 1 throtlle pack I have has a walk-around hand held throttle so that people that won’t be able to crawl under my benchwork will still be able to run trains.
Gordon
A lot depends on the layout. With my layout, plenty of walls dividing the layout into sections, no way a central control panel would work.
Walk around DCC with plug in jacks on every corner and local switch machine panels for switching districts with plug in jacks.
Suits the engineers just fine. Railfans can pull up a chair at a corner, watch 2 sides of the layout at once![:D]
My layout is a six-foot shelf layout, if I walk around I get farther from the layout! I eventually want to get a walkaround cab, though.
Walk around for me. My granfather was one for central control and I did that on my first couple of layouts. But now with layouts growing larger and larger, walk around is the only way you can see what is happening.
I voted for “Combination” as that’s what I’ll be doing, but most of the time I’ll be walking around with my train as I switch and “do” operations.
Just got the MRC Controlmaster 20 for my 24x24’ garage layout. Had to. Seems when I planned the whole thing, the approach to the Summit of my version of the Sierra Nevada ended up facing out toward the street, and my yard’s in the middle of the layout against the garage wall. Glad I got one, now I can play engineer all I want. Still learning that if I have a problem or a minor derailment that I can take the control with me to cure it, instead of running back and forth. Of course at my age, running back and forth can’t hurt me a bit, can it?
I’ve got both. A main panel for yard work and setting routes and two walk-around cabs for the rest of the layout. If I revamp one of these days I’ll do away with a main panel and convert to full walk-around with automatic blocking. Chris
I have a main control panel and two minor panels for yards and a walk-a-round for switching a grain operation. Yes, I can just sit and watch trains run if I wish (or visitors can) or I can take a hands on approach.