Exploring David Barrow’s CTC Board and Signaling System

Every modeler has their own preference for how they operate a model railroad layout. Whether you opt for timetable and train order, executive decision-making operations or simply letting the trains run without restrictions, that’s your call. On David Barrow’s HO scale layout of Cat Mountain & Santa Fe Railway, a seemingly complex system of signaling and switches have been utilized to streamline the process of switching and blocking.

While expensive and time-consuming to set up, the CTC board and signaling system that David and his partners created have drastically improved the realism and productivity of this remarkable railroad. Host Allen Keller visited David’s layout to hear how the expert railroader managed to construct and perfect this intricate operating system. Who knows, maybe you’ll want to do the same on your layout!