Can't help you with a mini-switch panel because I like the nostalgic look of the Lionel Switch controllers. They do take up a lot of space, but IMHO, the look is well worth it.
Of course, if you added a Legacy system, all the switches could be controlled wirelessly from the remote. I route the wire at the switch, itself, directly under the track and drill my hole in the layout so that no wire or hole is visible at
the edge of the track, at all. You could go back and do that, if desired, and then patch all the holes.
I've found the easiest way for re-connecting to the controllers is to put the black and red wires in the center holes at the same time and then tighten the screws down. Then connect the green and yellow wires, one at a time and position all the wires so they go on top of the small center loom.
If the wire is long enough to reach, you're all set. If the wire needs to be spliced, you have a few options. Generally, in that case, I leave the wire connected at both ends and simply cut and splice in the middle using jelly bean connectors or an old telephone 4 lug wall jack screwed to the underside of the layout. That also simplifies things if you ever need to work on them. If you're inclined, you can also purchase male and female 4 wire RJ11 clear connectors and a crimping tool and make a very professional looking connection.
