Hi,
I had seen this on another forum…
MMR Don Cassler, modeler of the B&O M&K Division lost his battle with Prostate cancer May 2015. Don’s layout was captured in Allen Keller’s Great Model Railroads #5 and in the June, 1990 issue of Model Railroader. His layout featured hand-laid trackwork, beautiful mountain scenery, a working signaling system and some great operation in his monthly sessions. His passing places him with other icons of the hobby such as, John Allen, Linn Wescott, and Paul Mallery. His railroad lasted for almost 30 years and he hosted many open houses and op sessions for visiting modelers. I never had the pleasure of seeing his layout first-hand but a close friend was part of his operating crew and his descriptions of the op sessions he attended provided me with a vision of what it would be like to operate there. Don will be missed. Rest easy and be at peace.
I had the honor and pleasure to visit this wonderful pike in 1990. Don was very gracious and full of great tips…actually after visiting this layout, I began my foray into Appalachian modeling beginning with B&O, then WM, C&O, and N&W. I am now into Erie duirng the late 40’s, but still my scenery was heavily influenced by Don Cassler and Bill Hanley, and the other gentleman who helped build this great railroad (Vic?). If you can locate a copy of Allen Keller’s volume 6, go for it as it features Don’s layout…M&K Division.
Don was a truly great and skilled artisan and will be missed by many. RIP
HZ
I too had the honor to see his layout in person during the 1990 NMRA convention in Pittsburgh PA.
R.I.P. Don. I never had a chance to see it in person, but the Allen Keller video was great, and gave my sons and I a lot of inspiration to improve our layout. I met Mark Vinski once at a railroadiana show in Austintown Ohio, and he and I talked about the layout for quite a while that day.