David Barrow's CMSF

[CNJ831]

Rick - Thanks for your input. Having read Barrows articles on the subject and having built many quite similar layout components over the years, with the exception of your points 2 and 4, I've really found no difference in the theory, design or construction methods between them. Likewise, the same advantages and disadvantages are shared equally by each. When HOtrak first came into use in my area these layouts were called sectional layouts, not modular, so even the names appear to have been used interchangable in the past.

Unlike the infantile rants by Mr. deschane, I am not trying to start arguments but simply attempting to clarify the historical point that nearly all of Mr. Barrows' ideas, that so many seem to want to accept as amazingly fresh and innovative, are very old and in many applications, just as orsonroy indicated, will not work nearly as well as you might think.

CNJ831

[Roadtrp]

Not all layouts are going to appeal to everyone, so I have no problems with some folks saying that the CMSF is not their cup of tea. The personal nature of the disputes, bordering on personal attacks, does surprise me though. I suppose the next thing we will hear is that Mr. Barrows beats his wife... [%-)][%-)]

[Anonymous]

CNJ831, I couldn't possibly refRute you, you are the living epitome of all Model Railroad Knowledge! Do you notice, in your own defense of your position, you still attack Mr. Barrows! My problem with you, has nothing to do with defending Mr. Barrows. I'm quite sure he can do this on his own. My problem IS your attitude!

[Anonymous]

Well, historically domino's is not "modular" in construction but "sectional."

Two, the original idea as related by David Barrow was in Germany a long time ago.

Thirdly, it is a GREAT misconception that domino's sections have to be flat, in one of his articles Dave shows how build a domino, kind of like L girder so that you can have height.

Fourthly, Domino's can be double decked

Fifthly, Dave B himself has gone through phases and unfortunately each phase becomes associated with domino theory. By this I mean:
a) Dave went through a "representational" phase; the layout prior to this one was representational - it used domino theory
b) This layout uses minimalism but that has nothing to do with domino theory.
c) You could just as easily do a very detailed "realistic" layout using domino theory.

The domino theory itself is designed to:
1) Simplify wiring by using hand throws and DCC
2) Allow the builder to do just about everything at the work bench before adding the section to the layout
3) Be easily portable in case of moves or changed ideas
4) Allow a new person to the hobby a "faster in" into a better layout and by pass the normal wretched 4 by 8; the person can pick and chose track plans that have been proven.
5) A person can modify domino so that for example, it could be an around the room layout.

[CNJ831]

Deschane, how in the world do you construe my post above to be venomous when it simply states historical fact? In it I simply concur with orsonroy that Barrows' "dominoes" ideas are absolutely not new, innovative, or unique to him. The concept has been around a very long time, pre-dating Barrows by decades. And, also just as orsonroy commented, layouts composed of small, modular, sections suffer from a surprising number of shortcoming - as I know from personal experience. Can you speak from either an extensive knowledge of the hobby's history or from having built a modular layout to refrute what I've posted on this thread rather than just making rash accusations?

CNJ831

[Anonymous]

Wow, CNJ831, Your venomous opinions of Mr. Barrows fairly oozes drippingly from the electronic letters of your post! I just don't get it?

Oklahoma Train Nut, I feel there is a lot to be said for Mr. Barrows design concepts. Keep an open mind and do what you like and don't be impressed with what other people think! Have fun with the hobby and allow for other folks ideas.

[CNJ831]

Orsonroy is absolutely correct, there in nothing revolutionary, new, nor original about the so-called Barrows "domino" concept for HO model railroading. In fact, it is very old-hat as the design had fully evolved long, long before David Barrows ever came on the scene. The idea of domino construction dates back to Ntrak's modules more than 30 years ago and was adapted for HO scale by HOtrak (and related groups) at least as far back as 1980. I had built several such 6' sections by 1984 to use in conjunction with a modular club I belonged to.

While very useful for portable public display layouts, the concept really has little logical advantage for layouts intended to be permanent and can actually prove very limiting. As orsnroy so clearly indicates, there are definite drawbacks in using "dominoes" in such an application.

CNJ831

[orsonroy]

The "dominoes" concept is nothing new or exciting. It's just any other portable layout. The sections aren't easily interchangeable like on true modular layouts. I built a sectional layout several years and one house ago, and really didn't like it. There were too many track joints (one every four feet), expansion/contraction played havoc with my trackwork, and the overall material cost was higher than if I built a traditional layout. And as with almost every other portable home layout, my old layout wouldn't fit into my new basement, so it ended up in the dumpster (a big dumpster, considering the layout was 15x26!)

[Anonymous]

exactly how do dominoes work ? can the modules be interchanged to make different track plans, or is it just a way to make things portable ? Thanks !

[Anonymous]

I built a layout using the dominoes that Mr. Barrow's describes. It worked very well for a flat layout, but since I want to have mountains and differing elevations, it doesn't work as well. But for yards, and cities....works Great!!

Paul

[Anonymous]

I got my MRP 2004 today and imiditaly fliped to the Cat Mountain & Santa Fe artical I had heard so much about. I immidiatly thought " what a great layout ! " I think his minimalist aproach gives the layout a nice, clean atmosphere. The trackplan is excelent, I may build my layout using dominoes. Man that layout looks great !