Has anyone ever heard of any updates since it was last in Model railroader? I’m not bugging the owner or anything, but I am curious what’s been going on with it, because I thought it was such a cool layout and premise.
Agreed. I’ve alwasy follwed the Utah Belt progress (or updates) in MR. big fan.
I’ve always loved the Utah Belts western desert setting and scenery. Eric copied the D&RGW and SP, and even based his freelance style on them. The only thing for me is that I am stuck in the 80’s and Eric has modernized his layout to wide cabs etc. I’m of the “it’s all crap” feeling about trains of the past 15 to 20 years. But I admit, I’m an anachronism - stuck in time.
I love the Utah Belt! I really enjoy the Utah Belt articles and photos that have graced the modeling mags over the years. Funny thing is though…I’m not a western railroad modeler, I don’t particularly like western scenery, I don’t care for “modern” railroading but I always get great enjoyment when I flip a page and see anything UB! I guess it’s because it’s so well done and well thought out. The UB is truly a real railroad just as much as the V&O or AM were. Great modeling is just great modeling!
Roger Huber
Deer Creek Locomotive Works
Not many of us have the will of iron needed to be so ruthless in keeping with his “I am modeling today” theme. His older paint and lettering scheme was handsome and prototypical – but yeah, a bit old fashioned, so out it went. Those first generation SDs soldiered on for years and looked great – and then he retired them, about the time the BNSF did the same with its ex BN SD7s or 9s.
I wonder if the Utah Belt is now running crude oil or frac sand trains?
Dave Nelson
Roger- you’ve said what I wanted to say about the Utah Belt, almost to the letter.
The terrain and era aren’t ones that would normally interest me, but the UB is an excellent, well-rounded model railroad, and I really appreciate Eric Brooman’s approach to the hobby.
In keeping with the “Model Railroading is Fun” theme, why would one need to be ruthless. That doesn’t sound fun. I’d hazard a guess that Eric Brooman finds it fun to update his RR.
I think he was referring to retiring older models that you spent a lot of time and money on, never to be used again.
Steve S