How complicated is a modern coaster's control panel. What different functions can it perform and what all does it display. is there an lcd screen with detailed information or anything. any interesting buttons?

That type of thing depends on the park and the ride. Operating systems do vary. I think it is safe to say that most rides will have a "Lift Start" and a "Lift Stop" buttons. I know that Coney`s Python has those. The panel also has lights for the five block sections on the ride. Python can actually be operated by not even touching the main control panel though. There is a dispatch button at the front of the loading station, and three buttons at the unload station ("Advance to Unload", "Advance to Load" and the BIG RED button). The BIG RED button is found on almost every ride at Coney (and most other park`s rides for that matter. It is more commonly referred to as the "E-Stop button" or Emergency Stop.

...and to some extent, what is on that control panel can also depend on two things:

* WHEN that panel was built/last remade.

* WHERE in the world that panel is located.

Why?

Laws, regulations, insurance policies and local custom (as in what else is in the park) can all have a role. Each panel is custom made for MOST coasters. Few are standard issue, and there is almost no such thing as off the shelf.

Around the 3:00 mark you get a good look at the control room.

Obviously, this is 1980 so the control panel has probably been changed.

Like terpy said it depends on when that panel was built/last remade and where in the panel is located.

There are some panels that can tell you exactly how to fix the ride if something happens if they are more modern. Most I believe tell you where the trains are, where they are approaching, etc. They will show if seats haven't opened, if they are locked or unlocked.

Button wise, it depends on what all is needed.

Some of the panels have touch screens.

It seems really complicated but once you get to understand the system, it's not bad at all.