Great American Model Railroads - UTAH BELT and BNSF Fall River Division in HO

A new series focused on model railroad operations, while highlighting different layouts across America along the way. We will be following a Utah Belt Export Loaded Coal Train across america. In part 1, we look at John Parker's BNSF Fall River Division and many of it's unique operations.
A big thank you to Matt Gidley and Bradley Meers for contributing photos and videos of the Utah Belt!
Merry Christmas!
Josh

[@jdboyd1861]

The UB has been an inspiration since I was a kid reading about it in model railroader. I've always loved how the railroad is "current day" and has a story. Fantastic!

[@Hammerhead9045]

Same, I still have an issue of Mr from October of 2000 or so I think? (I wasn't alive when it came out, but I picked it up for free at a train show) but it actually includes a layout that is in conjunction with brooman's ub

[@hansfriess]

The MR article on the Utah Belt back in the mid-90s was one that I remember reading as a grade schooler with amazement ! Still one of my favourite MR articles!

[@kenikoop]

I read about it in Railroad Model Craftsman, back in the 80s, when I was a boy, and the UB was running SD40-2s with F7 helpers. What a remarkable legacy this model railroad has become!

[@MrHunt916]

Was that the Brian Kanis RR?

[@DH2906PRODUCTIONS]

I love it when the trains tell a story. Especially this one on its big trip across multiple layouts

[@scotabot7826]

Has to be one of the most realisitic model RR's I've ever seen. Mr. Parker has been blessed with extreme talent!! So, so scale and beautiful, Bravo!!

[@Raptorman0909]

The "Diner" with the flickering "E" is brilliant...

[@Railroadracer49]

This totally feels like a actual train video with narration but with models I LOVE IT!!!

[@wranglerboi]

What an incredible video! I had to keep reminding myself that this was a MODEL and not actual live prototype action. The attention to detail was fantastic. I fully expected the crew trucks to drive off after the crossing signals stopped flashing. And even the telephone poles looked so real that the wiring they held was busy transmitting phone messages. And the flashing red light atop the switcher waiting in the service yard was genius. Great job all the way around! Pentrex couldn't have done it better!

[@krownedbykarmany1267]

I also love the actuality of the video. The trains and the environment really make it realistic!

[@bobwickes1380]

Unbelievable, incredible detail.

[@jdboyd1861]

Josh, your editing and sound overlays are great.

[@hansfriess]

His videos are first rate!

[@donwillhoit6866]

Absolutely flawless track work. Mr. Parker's work is an inspiration.

[@timlabell]

Love your video. The sound effects are remarkable. If I didn't know they were model trains ,I would think that everything was real full size, ouside looking at it. Wow ,great job

[@stevek4153]

It’s always great to visit these layouts. The realistic operating speeds and great camera angles really bring them to life! Good work.

[@arthurhouston3]

Merry Christmas to all from the Grande Pacific Railroad

[@mikedeberg6326]

Josh, Super cool idea! Thanks to all those layout owners who are participating in this realistic operational video series!

[@O-PAC]

That layout is a work of art! The attention to detail from the flashing light on the road warning sign to the cracks and tar on the roadway. Just an exquisite piece of model railroad architecture. I hope to one day to have a layout that emulates that level of detail.

[@nsmodeler24]

John is definitely a talented modeler and has a great eye for detail! - Josh

[@J3scribe]

@ 14:45, the trees along the original Milwaukee Road route are so tall now that they obscure the trestle. Very cool video Josh, I always enjoy your narrative. Can't wait to see all the layouts you visit!

[@tonyobbeek8910]

Layouts of this high standard and magnitude go far beyond being about trains and scenery..........this my fellow railroaders is pure art in every aspect. There are but a few modelers blessed with the talent and patience to be able to present to us mere mortals a miniature world in which to escape the toil we face every day. Many thanks and kind regards. tones1957 (New Zealand)

[@The52car]

Love the way you did the audio for this. Lots of work but so much more enjoyable than listening to a recording of a sound decoder.

[@debbiemilka2251]

Outstanding realism ! Best sound effects I have heard and long wanted to hear from a model railroad.

[@SilverCreekSub]

Wow!! Just wow!! As a railroader myself that was so well done!! Both the video, editing and dialogue, and the layout has to be one of the best in North America!! Well done to both of you!! I can’t wait for the next one!! Cheers Wade

[@robertbraeuner2031]

Excellent! Wish they ran this way for us for real.

[@Perfusionist01]

This is a fascinating video series! I have always been impressed by the Utah Belt and continue to be inspired by the Fall River Sub. Looking forward to Per Larsen's layout. Your camera work is good and your sound dubbing/mixing is very effective. I live near a BNSF mainline in Nebraska, so I know what the coal trains sound like.

[@tk00903]

Really appreciate this railroad, excellent work 😊😊

[@patricknoveski6409]

The sound is beautiful. These folks got it dialed. So realistic. Mind blower.

[@chadmartin1528]

I love your guys thinking this video series is going to be awesome to catch up with and to follow thanks again for the brilliant and clever ideas on this channel as always y'all have a nice evening.

[@rjl110919581]

THANK YOU SHARING GREAT VIDEO WITH OTHERS

[@MarkusTrains]

Really great HO layout. I many scenes its almost like watching real trains. Regards from Germany

[@jimnichols1751]

Very nice work both modeling and video work. Looking forward to the rest.

[@toddw6716]

I remember the first time I seen this in model railroader. Fantastic

[@brandeevelez8288]

Love this concept, what an interesting and unique idea. And you've managed to get some of the premiere layouts to showcase on. Great job!

[@oldgoat142]

Excellent! This is going to be great. Really looking forward to watching tis series. Thanks for all you do for us.

[@rc-rq7qd]

I first saw the UB when I was young. I am now 80 and I am glad to see the UB again.

[@NorthmassRails]

Great scenes on that layout! Merry Christmas Josh!

[@SolarWyndows]

You have definitely progressed in your video capture techniques there were some scenes that almost hit the real-world video. Keep up the great work and we'll keep watching.

[@moodymerlin]

Beautiful layout!

[@kerry_glock]

Thank You Eric. I LOOK FORWARD TO EVERY MONTH THAT MODEL RAILROADER COMES OUT, HOPING FOR AN INSTALLMENT FROM THE UTAH BELT. The Paint Scheme of your Engines is my all time Favorite!

[@RFMCabooseNP1713]

It was so great I had to watch it again. What a great tribute to Eric. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[@ro6742]

I like this format .

[@Benton-SouthernRR]

Fantastic presentation! Excellent blend of prototype sounds, music overlays, and well-thought-out narration that didn't come across a cheesy. The entire production is top notch! Reminds me of the old "Trains On Location" video series from the late 90's by Kalmbach/Trains Magazine. Can't wait to see more! A+ on this one!

[@sansovino4124]

Realistic running - give them a gold star!

[@theubaum]

Man what a great layout video! Extreme pike fer' sure, and those UB locomotives, SUPERB! Can't wait for the next installment!

[@stevenikitas8170]

I remember reading about the Utah Belt years ago in Model Railroader. This is the first video that I have seen. Great work...

[@kahunatiki6498]

This is a fantastic series. Wonderful layout!

[@MaxSupercars]

Beautiful painscheme! Great shots! 😊

[@SeaboardCentral]

Super nice Josh! Great work!

[@Lakeside1943]

Gorgeous layout with a real story ! I kept all the articles and photos from Model Railroader. Great to meet again ! Very effective low angle shots !

[@SimRacingEh]

This channel deserves way more attention, love watching these and listening to you explain things

[@rickdee67]

EXCELLENT VIDEO! Especially the audio. Incredible layout.

[@jamesstuart3346]

Awesome! Thanks for posting it!

[@johanauret7511]

WE WANT MORE, WE WANT MORE, WE WANT MORE.... Beautiful work there...

[@MesquiteBelt]

Great Series Pt 1 Josh! As always, the photography and narration are simply phenomenal. You are quickly becoming the next Allen Keller! Patiently waiting for the next installment!

[@alanh122]

Amazing sound! Very authentic! Well done guys.

[@WoodinvilleSub]

Great video Josh. Loads of modelling inspiration!

[@philipsvatba2125]

That is a great, awsome set up. Looks so real. Some scenes look real. Great video ! Loved it. Thanks

[@cynthiaquinn590]

I have always been fascinated with model trains.. 👍 Awesome layout

[@WindCityRailfan]

I've been waiting for this day forever! Awesome video !

[@iggybeauchance7406]

Excellent photography

[@kerry_glock]

The Utah Belt has been one of my Favorite Layouts to see in MRR. Now seeing this Fantastic Video is the Icing on the Cake. Thanks for capturing the almost Realistic Action. The Scene with Smokey Bear, or is it Smokey The Bear? That looked particularly interesting that I told the wife to keep her eye on the Picnic Basket. Yogi and Boo Boo will try to steal it. Funny anecdote, my wife’s nickname was Boo Bear when she was young.

[@detroitterminalrailroad1467]

Great videos. Outstanding layout, weathering, trains, scenery and attention to detail. Keep up the great work!

[@tonysmith7502]

I can't even imagine how much this cost him to build I was looking at purchasing a train just for my Christmas Village small inexpensive train was $132 what he has for his display is freaking amazing this is something I honestly would be willing to pay just to be able to visit and see it

[@martinhanley23]

Great video, great layout looking forward to seeing more

[@SPSteve]

Absolutely magnificent and realistic railroad! Great video work and narration and brilliant job mixing in real sound into the video. Top notch!

[@gregbowen617]

This is going to be a great series to follow! Thanks to all involved, especially Josh for creating the idea! Regards from Melbourne, Australia...Greg B.

[@nsmodeler24]

Thanks for the kind words Greg! Cheers, Josh

[@CTK1201]

The dude that has motivated me to model NS is doing commentary on the UB, the model road that led me to step into freelancing? This was an "Oh Sh*t!" moment. The layout is Incredible, the narration and the sound effects were Terrific!...GREAT material! Can't wait for more!

[@hntrains2]

Great angles and shots - making it easy to forget these are model trains.

[@kerry_glock]

I Love the Utah Belt!!! It has been my favorite Model Railroad with the Cat Mountain & Santa Fe (David Barrow) coming in Second. I liked his Domino Benchwork. Thanks for the Great Presentation and Tour of the U.B. Simply amazing, beautiful and fantastic! Love the U.B. Engine Color Scheme and seeing the Unit Trains running Very Professional Production IMO Great narration!! When I get my issue of Model Railroader and it has anything dealing with the Utah Belt, I know I’m going to have a great day! Just Love It!

[@conrailfan6277]

This is an awesome series Josh, the rest should be just as awesome!!

[@Brouge5418]

Just discovered your channel. Wow! This video is outstanding. What a layout. I’m blown away. Congrats! All the best in the New Year.

[@ThePeejRR]

Been looking forward to this. Great job!!

[@MrOmega52]

Bravo! Great video. Keep'em coming.

[@garykcs5532]

One of the best layouts ever

[@warrenwilson4818]

I have never heard such life-like engine sounds. Much of the scenery is incredibly realistic too. July 24, 2023.

[@panoramix3192]

Perfection. One of the best I've seen. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@SouthernIllinoisRailfan]

What an extraordinary layout and extraordinary videography at that!

[@williamdavid9333]

Have liked the Utah Belt since I was a kid.

[@tyleradams4633]

I absolutely love watching your ops videos, the sounds of the trains and scenery of your layout really make it seem real. Keep on putting out these Awesome videos... 👍👍👍

[@nsmodeler24]

Thanks Tyler, will do! Merry Christmas -Josh

[@geraldoreynoso2480]

I love you man, and your love of high-quality betail models, keep them videos 📹 coming please 🙏

[@fredcotterell645]

Fantastic video! Kudos to the modelers excellent work.

[@jonmcclure2488]

Well done. Excellent modelling and story telling as the train makes it's journey. So impressed.

[@nsmodeler24]

Hey Jon, thanks for the kind words!

[@mikestrains23]

Love it ! 23:39

[@bnsfbuff]

Wow! Excellent video. Great job and Merry Christmas to you and your family!

[@CraigLYoung]

Thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas to you and your family 👪

[@greghale5480]

Incredible video Josh, looking forward to more!

[@nsmodeler24]

Thanks Greg! Hope you and your family are doing well. Come visit sometime! Merry Christmas - Josh

[@kenmccorry5200]

Very well done . Great real world sound matches the model operations.

[@TrainsWithOctane]

Awesome PT.1 can’t wait for PT.2!!!

[@jamiebarrow2979]

Great video Josh, absolutely loved it look forward to the next part

[@nsmodeler24]

Thanks Jamie!

[@mrsmokeruntz3152]

Beautiful layout👌

[@randallellison6421]

Very cool video, the variety of motive power alone is amazing!

[@triadrailfanproductions]

Yessir I’ve been ready for this for ever

[@johnnyflakpanzer7329]

Fantastic!

[@jefferykeeper9034]

Fantastic work !!!

[@warwickroadmodelrailway]

Hello from the UK, this layout is absolutely stunning

[@braytonsparrow4076]

You need to post more I ran out of videos to watch from you. Sir you have the best videos on KZbin!!!!!!

[@farmerdave7965]

I love the real train sounds.

[@rodwarren2508]

Stunning Video Josh on a beautiful layout. Looking forward to Pt 2. Rod from downunder.

[@cadmanchannel]

Great job on the layout!!

[@adalecarter]

Great video. The narration was very informative.

[@carcaridon]

Sensational !

[@applicareinc]

Excellent sound and scenery detail.

[@tf6168]

Wow! 14 years of videos. Now that's dedication.