As per Classic Toy Trains May 99 pg. 64.This is a really good article on wiring 3 rail for track blocks and making a control panel.
I spray can painted my .055 thick metal panel silver.Then I had already drawn a condensed version of my track plan with blocks gaps locations and toggle switches locations for each block figured. This determined the size of my control panel. Next I drew this on the painted panel. I planned to use 1/8 wide masking tape to mask the track plan, so I drew it to accomadate the 1/8 wide tape. After masking the track plan I sprayed the whole panel with satin black. Remove the masking tape. Mark and center punch toggle switch hole locations. Drill with a 3/32 or small drill. Then with cereal box cardboard on the drill press table so you don’t scratch up your panel, drill from the back side the hole to fit your toggle. Clamp the panel to the drill press table to hold it firm in order to drill a nice round hole. You must drill from the back side or the chips will scratch up bad your hard work if you drill from the front side. After deburr touch up the front by using the same spray paint, spray one quick shot on cereal box cardboard and dip a small brush into the paint. you will have to work fast and will require numorous quick sprays onto the cardboard. When it looks good spray can clear a couple of coats. Mine looks good and as I’m retirement age I figure I will see it the rest of my life.
Figure moves you will want to make where you can park one train and manuver another into yard’s and sidings for instance to determine where to have blocks.
Dennis