Following on from the post from Andrew Waugh on panel processors I have to say that whilst JZA 715 looks pretty advanced with automatic route setting it must not be forgotten that automatic route setting was in use at Watford Junction for the DC line panel (platforms 1 - 4 and Watford High Street) from 1965 and Woking had it on the two panels controlling Pirbright Junction and Brookwood station.
The Watford system was quite simple and was based around the magazine train describer which set the departure route from Watford according to a train ready to which start plunger was pressed on the station. this then set the required route at the High Street whilst down trains were worked first come first served at the high street and set towards the highest numbered platform that was empty at the Junction.
The Woking example was also based around the train describer but was capable of routing all booked working timetable trains automatically based on the train description for down trains and first come first served on the up.
Graham