Layout Tour: Cab Ride on Shorty Parker's HO Scale Layout

Welcome to a very special "cab ride" tour of Shorty Parker's incredible HO scale layout. Shorty invited Steve and I to come over and run some trains. We both did, and in addition we ran the HD action camera around the entire layout.
We made two runs- Steve ran his train with a Sony HDR AS20 camera. I then made a run with a Replay XD 1080 Mini. To me the Sony was better quality, but both runs provide a great view of Shorty's layout. My run with the Replay Mini is a nice slow run so you can see and enjoy the layout- you may need to fast forward if it is too slow for you. We conclude the video with a run up to the coal loader- it really needed a smaller camera but it is an interesting view!
I added some graphics showing the progress of the runs so you can have an idea of where the train is during the trip. It is my first attempt at this and it is a little clunky- but it should help.
Be warned- there are cameos by Shorty, Steve and Rob!
Steve and I both are very appreciative of Shorty for his gracious hospitality. He is a true gentleman.
Shorty is just starting the process to dismantle the layout. He feels it is time and wants to take care of it while still in good health. There is not an urgent rush to get it done, but over the next several months the process will be underway.
The beautiful model of the coal loader will be going to the Sandusky Maritime Museum in Sandusky, Ohio. This will enable many more people to see and enjoy Shorty's exceptional craftsmanship and view a unique and one of a kind HO scale model.
Sit back and enjoy the cab ride over Shorty's layout!
Here are links to the original layout tour and the special video on the coal loader:
Layout Tour: • Layout Tour: Shorty Pa...
Coal Loader: • Shorty Parker's HO Sca...
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[@dennisvonkrallski4639]

RIP Shorty. my condolences to you Wyatt and your family. That was an incredible lay off he had. I like that Rob got some items too for his lay out. This video will keep the memory going for a very long time.

[@zekecycle]

One of the very best layouts on You Tube! Trackwork, scenery, structures, trouble free operation....all top notch!

[@paulnewstead9693]

This piece of art belongs in a museum.

[@teddyabearo1066]

R.I.P. Shorty. May the Good Lord Bless You with a Consist on The Sky Line! 🤟🏽🐻

[@thomream1888]

There is a certain satisfaction to just sitting back and “riding” the train, but Rob, with your added graphics I was also able to understand where I was and what was going on around me. It made both trips a lot more enjoyable. While I am saddened to hear Shorty is dismantling his layout, knowing that it will live forever through your efforts is some small comfort. I’ll bet you could of enjoyed your visit more if you weren’t “working” just know that your fan base does appreciate your efforts. And a big THANK YOU to host Shorty Parker. You da’ Man! SPGhost Fresno CA

[@robbennett1965]

Thanks Thom. I am honored to have been able to video Shorty's layout. I am making him a DVD with all the videos and a ton of photos as well- for him to have as a keepsake of his layout. It would be nice if a more professional video could be made, but I will do my part to preserve this layout.

[@thomream1888]

Rob, I am a retired Pro Photographer from the SF Bay area and I can tell you that you did an OUTSTANDING job on this video. But that's the norm for you! Even your general "update" videos are well done. Come on, brother - don't sell yourself short! You might not be a "pro" but there ain't nuttin' you're missing with the camera and editing. Thanks for the effort you put in to entertain us. We can't all build beautiful layouts like this, but we can all watch along with you. One last thing: THANK YOU for your service. You da man!

[@bentleymtafu23]

Hey @@robbennett1965 a newbie to this whole thing and know I have light years to go-this is an awesome vid. As this is a year old is it dismantled? What is Shorty doing now; would love some info on him, how he got into it and so on? Always curious to see the path walked of heroes. Cheers!

[@brianknott6370]

Sorry to hear of Mr Parkers passing what a masterpiece wish I'd seen it sooner thank you Rob for the tour and the carbide was incredible

[@brianknott6370]

Cabride

[@bfurailroad1104]

Can anybody remember skipping school with your buddy to go walk along the tracks just to see where they go and you never knew what was up ahead around the curve? Then you see a headlight coming toward you and you pull out a penny from your pocket, lay it on the rail then duck down behind some bushes to wait for it to get smashed. This layout is like that...Wow, Cool, Far Out, just flat out Mesmerizing!!! First trip around this layout you don't know where the rails are going and you don't know what's ahead. If only I could lay a penny on these rails then duck behind a rock or tree and wait. What more can I say?

[@RodDiery]

What a beautiful layout! So sad to hear that Shorty has passed.

[@rodneymcgiveron]

Thanks Stephen and Shorty ...Even if this masterpiece is no longer as it was it is a privilege to enjoy your beaut depiction of it .Shorty is /was a master modeler. I can't believe those who were critical of the modeling or the way you shot the video because both are top notch ...Those who can't are just critics not modelers to this standard I bet. THANK YOU..

[@pgadeb]

Fabulous and love the hot air balloon and small aircraft for the unexpected dimension.

[@WarrenFahyAuthor]

Thank you, Shorty, for building that. WOW!

[@oat138]

That's really beautiful. Thanks to you and Shorty for showing us.

[@daviemaclean61]

SUPERB! I envy you guys the space and your creativity in using it to it's best advantage, but I just know I would bankrupt myself! Hit the like button before the first train had passed the camera.

[@robbennett1965]

Thanks Davie!

[@wmjwell]

What an amazing layout! Fantastic scenery! Thank you for sharing this on KZbin!

[@user-dl3jv8dp2v]

great landscaping, one of the best I've seen.

[@meruliouslacrimens5154]

Absolutely marvellous!!

[@otrrailroad8821]

Well, well. We finally have a glimpse of the creator of the Bennett RR. Enjoyed the cab ride tour of Shorty Parkers HO scale layout. Beautiful in every aspect. Love the detailing.

[@robbennett1965]

LOL, yes indeed. And Shorty's layout is a detailers paradise- one could spend hours looking at his scenes and always find something new!

[@tabese]

awesome, thanks for sharing

[@williamneedham3150]

your layout is spectacular totally amasing and mind blowing. thank you for sharing.

[@TrikeRoadPoet]

Beautiful layout! Enjoyed the ride, thanks for taking us along.

[@camaxtedsparkluck]

Thank you. I really enjoyed your layout.

[@webuzzyoung]

A masterpiece..i'd love to stop by and run a few trains with u..

[@ghewitt94]

Great video. Shorty has some amazing rock work too.

[@WarrenFahyAuthor]

The rock work is incredible! Disney-level! :)

[@kenk2345]

now that's a cab ride, some layout...great map updates along the way.

[@robbennett1965]

I am glad the maps helped. Seemed like a good idea, based on other cab ride tour videos I have seen.

[@herrkiwi3110]

Fantastic ! Thanks for sharing that Rob ! Truly inspiring ! Bravo !

[@bentleymtafu23]

This is so magnificent I cant believe its gone. Unreal.

[@iandouglas451]

fantastic, great video

[@BigWheelHawaii]

So Real,,, Sorry,,, What a Master,,, "Mistro" Parker...

[@chadmartin2170]

Wow! You resemble a Rhode Island State Trooper.....Sir. LOL! The layout tour was excellent btw. This layout is unbelievable. I can see why you guys hangout here.

[@robbennett1965]

Is that good? LOL. Thanks Chad. It truly is a magnificent layout.

[@pigjubby1]

Simply amazing.

[@rogerstuder4740]

A masterpiece! Really a shame to see it go. Hopefully you can continue to enjoy the hobby on a slightly smaller scale. I got really excited to see the concrete supplier's plant and trucks. I work for a concrete producer in the Harrisburg, PA area and our trucks are almost exactly the same colors! Green bodies and light yellow drums with a big keystone on the doors. Thank you for the tour.

[@cdp200442]

That is one beautiful layout. I had to share this on my Facebook group for model railroaders

[@robbennett1965]

Thanks Pete- it is indeed a beautiful layout so I hope the rest of your FB group enjoys it!

[@alexanderwoloszynjr5393]

Your layout is truly spectacular!

[@modelrailroader5619]

Sad to think this layout is gone, it really was quite spectacular!

[@robertyoung1217]

Now this is a good track layout

[@jimsmoter4510]

Nice layout . Enjoyed the train ride ...😁

[@Bruno.Trains]

Very beautiful nature! Thank you for your video! Best regards from France

[@bluedoris88]

Stunning a great railway layout,Geoff U.K.

[@jameshook3502]

Outstanding job!

[@elleryparsons5766]

Love the layout nice and productive.

[@dthead]

Literally first time I have seen you Rob, nice to put a face to all the video talk !!!

[@robbennett1965]

Yeah, it had to happen at some point. When I get the 10K video going I will have more face time...so be warned!

[@dthead]

Looking forward to that time. Meanwhile hope shorty has a good set of friends to help him. A sad goal but it wil ease his mind that it wil not be a burdenfor others.....

[@jeffscott3160]

Love the perspective of the view. Great layout, but the spider web in the tunnel at 18:11 is not to scale!😁

[@dannyholt105]

Awesome layout and even more awesome video and description of it Rob! Really enjoyed the cab ride and the map along the way. Looking forward to another ops session on your layout as well. Say, isn't it about time to bring the lawnmower lady out again He He!! I miss seeing her. Cheers, Dan

[@robbennett1965]

Thanks Dan. Yes, with the return (finally!) of nicer spring weather it is time to mow the lawn...already had to do it in 1:1 scale so might as well get it going in HO as well!

[@ronzufelt1428]

Awesome. That was great and I don't do trains. Enjoy the videos and all the detail.

[@robbennett1965]

Thanks Ron- and thanks for watching some choo-choo videos!

[@cascadianpuget]

You do great work on both side of the camera.

[@robbennett1965]

Thank you!

[@julieparker9806]

FYI. On January 14, 2021, Shorty Parker passed away. His layout had been dismantled and sold to various railroaders. This model is in the Sandusky Maritime Museum.

[@MrBugman2525]

Hey I turned on my freand from greensburg pa about you tube and trains he head a train set since he was 4 years old ,thank u for your demonstration

[@Ricopolico]

That thar "ledge" of rock @ 54:22 is bizarro. Look out ChooChoo Charlie is hi-ballin' the main line. "I think I can, I think I can".

[@michaelmaciejewicz7534]

Mr Shorty Parker RIP Brother

[@cprtrain]

Superb!

[@csxbaltimoresubdivision7746]

Great video, the layout is awesome, love the spota pot

[@rjl110919581]

THANK YOU TOUR OF BEAUTY DETAIL LAYOUT BY VIDEO AS SHOW LOT GREAT DETAIL

[@michaelmaciejewicz7534]

Rip Mr Shortly Parker

[@JackTheSkunk]

I would love to have a layout with a super detailed re-creation of Tombstone Az. circa 1880.

[@kaliprasadchinam236]

Fabulous. Enjoyed the ride around the layout. Sad to note that by now it must be gone.

[@03214360964]

amazing

[@Frosty1955]

I love these setups but i always wonder how the owners manage to keep them so clean. it must be an enormous ?

[@jaystanley5351]

The second time around was better. I got to enjoy the scenery.

[@charlesjefferis8812]

WOW!

[@spongeorpete7289]

Cool!

[@jarhead4God]

if webster has an adjective to properly pay this layout its' due, I haven't seen it! Loved your efforts but it would have nice to add signals and opposing traffic. Thanks for the upload and keep up the great work!

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

How many years does it take to build something like that? What an amazing layout!

[@yrunaked4]

all of them, lol

[@choro1981]

Awesome layout,love your video. The outhouse scene is funny,reminds me of my teen years.

[@douglasmccarty1196]

One thing i would like to see on Canadian and American HO layouts would be moving vehicles on the streets and road ways.I have seen this on several HO layouts in Germany

[@stretchedits]

Nice video Rob, I liked the descriptions as the train went round the layout. You said at the end Shorty is dismantling the layout, why is that, such a shame?

[@robbennett1965]

Per Shorty, it is time. He can make sure things find new homes and not be rushed or have it forced onto others to deal with. While his layout will be missed, I certainly understand his thinking.

[@Jormaboy88]

Where are the white patches in the middle of the track in various areas around the track

[@lopatovich]

Its just pieces of paper with arrows and names of the places to where particular track leads you

[@brucemarquardt7422]

Beautiful layout and I love the 'funny' stuff he put in. Why is he dismantling it?

[@jonnybeck6723]

@ 32:02 that magnificent structure off to the left (coal tower?) amazing. Also some of the most beautiful track work I've ever seen... oh, and where do you lads find those HO scale '48/'49 Mercs? Thanx Shorty (and crew) for a wonderful vid. ...cheers

[@TheMemeTankEngine]

28:32 I like the Bachmann gordon and james

[@djfreez8724]

Awesome layout,,,,too bad you can only run 1 train at a time on it lol

[@timpalmer4779]

such a shame he is dismantling it this is a really good layout

[@robbennett1965]

It is Tim, but I can understand Shorty's thought process. See comment reply below, to stretchedits...

[@tailsdollblack9340]

i need a bigger layout and a few more trains . i as of late have a g scale with no good track and a tri-ang h.o. diesel on a circle. gonna need to clean up all the rusted track however untill i get myself a h.o. steam engine that runs. ive got one but it,s past it's prime. it's now a shelf queen.

[@PullTabMiner1122]

Great layout...at the end straight ahead to the right there is a grey structure with a crane on top...what is that... I would like to look that up it looked interesting.

[@robbennett1965]

That is the coal loader- which Shorty scratch built! Here is a video on it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rme0g2aip9-CpZY. Check it out, it is an awesome model!

[@robguitarwizard]

Absolutely mind blowing! Dare I ask how much money has been spent on this?

[@RailRide]

Most people don't really keep track of that. It takes years upon years to reach this level of completion. Could easily be tens of thousands spent, but if it's done little by little over the course of 15-20 years, while still not a cheap hobby, it does become a lot less noticable in one's budget.

[@masterbower6083]

Shorty's layout is a true example of model railroading. It will truly be a shame when he takes it down.

[@williamflorinjr.8541]

I noticed that Shorty didn't have any block signals on his layout.

[@BALD8BIL]

Sweet video and I have a question what are the red and yellow wirenut for?

[@ronzufelt1428]

I think they were on sticks to disconnect the cars.

[@robbennett1965]

Ron is correct- it is a skewer in a wire nut for use as an uncoupler. I always seem to have issues with them, and usually resort to reaching in and doing it by hand. But don't tell anybody!

[@johnfrench908]

I'm just getting back into the hobby and I'm building a modern HO scale layout...meaning 2000 to present. I'm needing to know what the lowest radius curve I can get away with in order to run todays stock cars. A 30 inch radius is pushing it on my layout. Can I get by with a 24 or 26 inch radius and still be able to run todays boxcars and auto rack containers?

[@robbennett1965]

John, I can give you my opinion, for what it is worth. On our layout we have a 30" min radius, and do run autoracks (most likely the longest car we would run). They make it, but I did increase the spacing on the curves to 2.25", so the outer curve on double track is a 32.25" radius. They still look a little funny, but run just fine. Others that have slightly smaller radius may chime in and advise they run okay. For a modern era layout I would suggest a 30" min if you can make it work- if you want to run the 89ft cars. If not, going slightly smaller may not be a huge issue. I wouldn't go below 24" in any case- that may be asking for trouble! Don't overlook your turnouts either- on our mainline all TO's are #8- again because of the longer cars. They should work with #6's but again will look a little funny. Even in Eugene Yard the ladder tracks are #8's.

[@johnfrench908]

Thanks for the replies. I'm also going with DCC and making a L shaped layout with a loop at each end of the L with one main line. I'm also having a problem finding anyone that lives around the Flatwoods, KY area to help me. I pretty much need help with everything. Lol. If anyone knows a contact through a contact that would be willing to help out a newbie...it would be GREAT!!! I need all the help that I can get!

[@zakkessler3579]

John I know the feeling of being new to the hobby and not to many people around for help. Good thing is there are hundreds of how to videos on KZbin that explain step by step just about everything you will need to know. Good luck and remember to have fun.

[@markskoog5870]

Why don't you ever have more northern Pacific and great northern layouts?

[@brownie6451]

Beautiful layout, but is it just me or did that stupid map come up every time the scenery got interesting? Next time a little more scenery, less map, or at least down size it. Just my opinion thanks for sharing.

[@jaystanley5351]

Was interesting. Though the map kept popping up and blocking the scenery. I would;d love to see it without the map

[@oat138]

I appreciated the map...

[@martykatz6556]

7

[@rhbeadlejr]

Could you have possibly gone any slower?

[@russellloomis4376]

He's doing the perfect speed for HO. It's a railroad, not a slot car set.

[@jeffwells1255]

Very impressive, but you should have said "Shorty invited Steve and me." Your friendly neighborhood grammar Nazi ;)

[@Incognito.culture]

Steve and I. The grammar Natzi Natzi

[@Incognito.culture]

Nazi nazi

[@jeffwells1255]

@@Incognito.culture You wouldn't say "Shorty invited I, would you?" Now grow up and admit you was wrong!

[@lynncrites8987]

Grow up and admit you WERE wrong

[@CrazyBear65]

I see a lot of cool stuff, but I also see a lot of stuff that needs weathering. When it's too shiny it looks plastic. (My opinion) But you could've just posted the second half. I kept getting mad at the damn map that kept popping up to block the scenery.

[@gunsaway1]

Don't get your panties in a wad