Uh Dave, I think you are a little off in your beliefs. I believe NS set a record hauling coal to Lamberts Point in the late 1980s or early 1990s of over 3 million tons a month, therefore I do not think coal mining, usage, or sales was exactly dying in the 1950s. They may have broken that but I am not where I hear the news anymore. The majority of electricity generated in the U.S. today comes from coal. Sit by the NS or CSX mainlines to the ports in Eastern VA and you might be real surprised.
As always guys ask a question and get loads of answers and some damn good reading… I will keep you posted when I start adding scenery… It has been almost 2 years doing track work as well as fixing some bad sections on my layout. I picked up a hot foam cutter at the last show in Baltimore so I am ready to start a mnt and some tunnels. You guys are the best… J