Model Railroading > Dr Dave Allen inducted to Model Railroad Industry Hall of Fame

Dr. Dave Allen started The Coach Yard in 1984 because he was not able to buy the quality
product and level of scale fidelity of models available in the Brass Model railroad Industry. He
started working with the Japanese builders and met a lot of resistance to achieve the level of
detail he was trying to accomplish with the Japanese builders. Their answers were “too difficult”
or “it can't be done”. After years of persistence, the builders began to understand Dr.Allen’s
insistence for better detail, better castings and innovative methods of creating the miniature recreation of the actual locomotives and passenger cars they were building. Dr. Allen educated
them on how to achieve what he wanted.
 
He gained their confidence and was accepted into the Japanese model railroad industry as an
innovator and a teacher. He taught them how to etch brass to a higher level of detail. The
industry was using a 2 stage method for etching brass, and Dr Allen showed the how to do
multiple stages to achieve a higher degree of realism for rivets, layered belt lines, and
corrugations.
 
When the brass model industry moved to Korea, Dr. Allen's reputation with the builders moved
to the Korean builders. In 1990, when Samhongsa Models chose Se Yong Lee to administer the
model building division, the first person he turned to for advice was Dr. Allen. Dr. Allen moved
the production of The Coach Yard models to Korea and advised Samhongsa how to etch brass to
a seven layer configuration. This alone set Samhongsa apart from all other builders and they
became the leader of the Korean brass model industry.
 
Dr Allen unselfishly, continues to advise other brass importers in the US, including Challenger
Imports, Rail Classics, Division Point and Overland Models, as to how to achieve a high degree of realism. The models in Korea went from a sub standard unfinished model to the models of today-- completely detailed with accurate interiors, colors and working appliances including full width working diaphragms on the models. Dr Allen deserves this award as a true pioneer and
innovator, and one who did not give up to achieve scale fidelity.
 

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Mr. "Original" also deserves an award for his lifelong contributions to our hobby.

Warren