Look at the coaster from a side view then place your mouse cursor at the highest point of the track. Then look at the bar at the topic indicated Cursor, followed by X, Y and Z axis. The hieght is indicated by the Y axis and gives you the exact hieght of the coaster [;)]
If I were you, I wouldn't worry about texturing a control panel really. Even today's best designers don't create their own panels in most cases.
Just focus on making some good tracks first, a nice looking panel is more something if you are just trying to add extra's to a nearly perfect track. I've did some custom panel work but it will take quite a while to explain how it all is done. If you really wish to know how it's done, just send me a PM and I'll take the time to explain it.