RailSmith Plans: Chapter 2

RailSmith Models – ‘More of the Story’

Since the National N Scale Convention in Salt Lake City, we have had many people complete the short (updated) survey on the web site, and we have had lots of encouragement and suggestions. With your opinions shared, we realize that we need to tell more about the plans for this exciting new line of passenger trains.

Even though you have very specific ‘likes’ for trains you want, so does everybody else and that should be the obvious reason we cannot put all of our eggs in one basket to focus on one train at a time. To be able to produce new cars never-before-done body styles, we first need to recoup our initial investment costs. Several manufacturers today, use the strategy of  ‘direct sales’. Doing that allows us to reinvest faster, in order to create these new body styles, and new body styles are what we need to ‘build-a-train’.

Run Quantity

It is very important for our customers to understand that these RailSmith cars are of limited production, or ‘limited quantity’. This is not done to create scarcity, but rather to sell through the runs quickly so we can reinvest in more. That ‘more’ is what gets us to producing new cars that we all really want and look forward to. You can see about the new body styles in prior blog or website posts/descriptions.

Run quantities for RailSmith Models are planned to be similar to what I am doing with Lowell Smith Signature Series. That should be your true ‘call to action’.

Pricing

Folks in todays market may expect to receive a discount, or to get a better ‘value’.  That said, we have decided to show a MSRP price and ‘your price’. This is the same way that companies like ’Scale Trains’ has successfully done.  New decorations (never before done) cost more as there are first time costs incurred just as there will be more costs with newly-tooled models, so pricing will fluctuate accordingly.

Second Shipment

As soon as samples arrive we will show then off. The second release is already underway. Planned for January delivery will be some great cars for The Texas Special, The Florida Special and more.

Fans of Norfolk Southern’s Office Car Special will be delighted to see coaches on that web link as well.

We plan to post another survey so please watch for that on the RailSmith page. We appreciate you taking time to share your ideas.

Posted in

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

Latest On The Track

What They Say:

Charlie S.

Thank you for producing such well researched quality offerings.

K. Lyons

I want to be like you when I grow up!

Dan D.

I look forward to continuing to buy trains from my favorite special run train maker. That’s how I think of you now, “The Train Maker”.  And speaking of cool trains, I just received a box loaded with great looking Texas Special cars. Thanks.  I certainly look forward to all the new releases you are planning.

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…

R. LeBrun

Thank you for all that you do for the N Scale community. Your products by far, in my opinion, are the top of the line when it comes to N Scale Trains and I am always on the lookout for them when they come up for auction.

G.D.

Lowell, thanks to you and your company SP&S modelers (myself included) are having a much easier time modeling the North Bank Road. Thank you for your hard work!

A.M.

“You seem to be the shining light in an industry that’s seen a lot of change since the early 2000’s when I was last in the hobby”.

J D

Thanks, Lowell, for another awesome addition to an already incredible train.

K.

My kids absolutely love the Christmas cars! The C.K. Holiday, along with the Carolwood and Disney cars makes a wonderful Christmas train. It made many a loop under our tree this year.

J.Wallace

AFT is a real dream come true for me. Thanks for all your hard work!