Until I saw the ad for the Allen Keller video on fallen flag model railroads that mentioned the wonderful Coal Belt (Keller's website also mentions this:
http://www.allenkeller.com/fallen_flags.htm
, I don't recall reading that the railroad had been torn down. Did I miss something in MR? Is Bill Henderson OK? Is he starting over?
Dave Nelson
dknelson wrote:Until I saw the ad for the Allen Keller video on fallen flag model railroads that mentioned the wonderful Coal Belt (Keller's website also mentions this: http://www.allenkeller.com/fallen_flags.htm, I don't recall reading that the railroad had been torn down. Did I miss something in MR? Is Bill Henderson OK? Is he starting over?Dave Nelson
Bill is fine. He has torn down the HO Coal Belt and is starting anew with On30. Talked with a friend who is in the group with Bill, and Bill is looking to retire from his career soon.
We should then be hearing a lot more from him at that time.
Our local culb several years ago, spent part of the day at Bill's house and others in the Florence/Muscle Shoals area, and his layout was a joy to see.
What a lot of folks don't know, from viewing the pix of the Coal Belt, is that his plan was a simple double oval, with yards and sidings. It was very small, compared to most layouts seen in Keller's Videos.
Carey
Keep it between the Rails
Alabama Central Homepage
Nara member #128
NMRA &SER Life member
I've loved Bill's Coal Belt! It is a shame it is gone. What has he done with his Engines and equipment? I have a small stable of Camelbacks and his layout was an insperation to be.
I've been trying to find out what has happened too when I saw the ad for the Fallen Flags and his Coal Belt was listed.
Good luck on his new layout.
Keep us informed on his progress.
Bob D.
Yeah, what happend to the MK&O?
This is interesting in that I've just read about Bill and the Coal Belt LAST NIGHT! I make a habit of digging through the older MR's at the hobby shop collection because I'm fond of the old school approach. The stack I just borrowed has him in one of the issues. I found his point of view, modeling techniques and approach very likable and wondered if he was still around and still modeling. To those who know him, let him know yet another model rail has been inspired by him and hiss now defunct Coal Belt.
Lou
I just wanted to make absolutely certain that all the Coal Belt enthusiasts (I was one, too) here are fully aware that Allen Keller produced a 1 hour layout tour video of the Coal Belt (Volume #19) several years ago. I can vouch for this video being excellent and it totally blows away any magazine presentation of Henderson's work. I'm sure that copies of volume #19 are still available through Keller Productions in DVD format and sometimes also show up on eBay.
CNJ831
I have a copy of that video and will hang on to it.
According to the website it is only available in VHS, as is my favorite the Cat Mountain & Santa Fe (I have the tape but no way to watch it anymore and would pay for a DVD copy!).
The VHS has been re-issed in DVD under the "grear American Layouts" series which I believe is under the Kalmbach umbrella. Just received mine and I am looking forward to watching it.
Erie Bob