N Scale Enthusiast in Pittsburgh 2017!

You know, I always say ‘it was a great time’ and that’s because it is!  We have been to Eastern Pennsylvania many times but this was our first time in the western part.  It has beautiful mountains and is a great train territory.

We started or trip with a visit to Todd Treaster’s great New York, Susquehanna & Allegheny RR.  Todd and Becky really know how to show Pennsylvania hospitality and were most gracious to not only let us visit but to stamp our Private Varnish Passport as we ran our private car, the ‘Barbara Kay’, over their railroad and through Todd’s amazing model of the town of Pittsburgh.  Todd’s layout has been featured may times in Kirk’s N Scale Railroading.  Because of the N Scale Enthusiast, we have roamed the country and we have made great friends, like Todd and Becky, in this wonderful hobby.

 

 

We went to Altoona where we saw the Norfolk Southern Shops, and we are told that’s a very rare treat!  Next door to Altoona we visited the famous epic landmark ‘Horseshoe Curve’, where once Pennsy Allegenys’ steamed and where the Norfolk Southern Heritage locos’ are now a treat to see.

 

Pittsburgh, itself, is a very nice city.  I imagined dirty steel mills, but they are all gone and the town is very clean and a great place for a train convention.  There are still many steel mills but not in town.  The NSE organizers really know how to choose a convention hotel.  This one was on the river downtown with NS track on one side and CSX track on the other!  Wow, it was a rail-fan’s dream!

 

Great people show up at these conventions and they are always a ‘must’ on our list of annual events.  Next year Salt Lake City will host us from June 20-24.  Save the date!

 

In fact, would anyone be interested in a day through the Rocky Mountains in a private Dome car?  I’m putting together just such a treat for Father’s Day through the Rockies!

Lowell Smith

A native of Portland, Oregon, Lowell Smith married his church choir sweetheart Barb in 1978. After a lifetime of rail-fanning, Lowell and Barb ventured out in 1992 to launch a new business in Portland, Oregon. Read more

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What They Say:

S. S.

I got my new Santa Fe business cars, they are superb and worth the wait ten times over.

P.B.

Thanks for all the great trains – it’s nice to have such wonderful rolling stock on the layout.

K L

What a trip! We had a great time- exceeded our expectations by a mile. The Silver Lariat was simply stunning. A gem on the rails. The scenery and weather were perfect. The delays were not an issue for us at all. All just a good days work on the railroad! Thank you for all the…

Anonymous

The thing I love about all the things you do is the fact that everything is so well thought out, so beautiful and so unique.  

M. Magliaro

I received my #99 business card in the mail today. It looks superb. Thank you for another wonderful job. You are really filling a niche.

Jeff B.

Keep up setting the bar high and providing a product that exceeds expectations.

Bill S.

That car is about the greatest thing I’ve ever seen in N scale!  Excellent work!

R.M.

These are indeed miniature masterpieces.

J.R.

Lowell, I received my Great Locomotive Chase set today. “THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL.” Keep up the good work.

Ray F.

I just wanted you to know my O gauge Hood River Pears car came yesterday in perfect condition. This car is just beautiful I can’t wait for the next one to come out. Keep up the good work.