I wanted a control panel for the layout that would be hidden away when I was not operating the layout. Out-of-sight also means out of the way which prevents accidentally running into it causing damage to it or to myself. The control panel is almost 10" by 6-1/2" deep. It's basically an open bottom box made of 1/2" hard wood with an 1/8" masonite top. The track diagram was placed on a .040 piece of styrene and the block/turnout switches were mounted through the styrene and masonite top.
The control panel is mounted on cut-off metal draw slides and sits flush
with the fascia, under the layout, when not in use. The "decorative" little movable
latch on the left side keeps it from accidentally sliding out.
Once the latch is moved, the control panel can be pulled out.
The draw slides have detents which keeps the fully extended control panel in
position. A little gentle lifting is all that's need get it to start sliding back
on the rails.
Looking up from under the layout shows the control panel in the closed position. The metal rails are mounted on 1" x 2" pine in an L shape. The flat 1 x 2 that sits against the surface of the layout rest on 1/4" pads at each end which provides the ability to run wires across the middle of the mounting which would have normally been blocked. That turned out to be a good idea.
The control panel is now in the open position. You must provide enough slack in the wires to allow for the movement of the control panel when it slides from closed to open. The two flashing crossbucks that I added after the control panel was in place was directly above it, but there was enough clearance.
Another shot of the control panel and surrounding area looking straight up. You can see how some of the wiring have an extra loop in them so they can move when the control panel is slid open. The use of telephone wire comes in handy.