RPO Newsbag
This is the Lowell Smith Signature Series and RailSmith blog, (or perhaps it's better called, ‘stories around the caboose stove’). Either way, bookmark this page for updates as they happen and check back regularly!
Train Shows & Swap Meets!
With the new year comes a whole new batch of train shows. Â We are excited to add a few more to the line-up this year. Two weeks ago was the Portland SP&S Swap Meet. Â I talked about my family as much as I did the trains I had on my table! Â Friends wanted to know…
Customer guest Interview: David Kaplan
I thought it would be fun to let somebody tell their story about their love of this fun hobby, and a bit about collecting as well. We each have our story and path that keeps us very content and satisfied as railroad modelers. I asked long-time customer and friend David Kaplan to share some of his…
What are you doing for Fathers Day?
Welcome to the new year! 2015 is shaping up to be another great year with lots of exciting new announcements, special run,s and private rail tours! I’m excited to have you all be a part of it. Coming up this June, Barb and I will be hosting a day-trip through the Feather River Canyon in…
What size is the train under your tree?
One of the fun things about the holiday season is the chance to have friends and family visit. In our family we enjoy a nice meal and fellowship followed by games being played. Decorating the house has always been a fun thing to do but decorating the Christmas Tree has been one of my favorite…
CZ Durango Private Rail Car Charter Trip leaves everyone wondering: When is the next trip!
[twocol_one] [/twocol_one] [twocol_one_last] Our October rail charter to Denver and Durango was a trip of a lifetime! Â We left in the middle of October hoping that the fall leaves would show their splendor and we were not disappointed. We traveled Donner Pass, Soldier Summit, Gore Canyon, Glenwood Canyon, Beyer’s Canyon, Moffatt tunnel and down the…
Save the Date: WDFM 2014 Christmas Boxcar Release
Save the date… Please join me Saturday, December 6th, 2014 at the Walt Disney Family Museum for this year’s Christmas boxcar release, the fifth in the series.  This year will be extra special, as you can also enjoy the special exhibit at WDFM “All Aboard: A Celebration Of Walt’s Trains”. Join us and come see how…
Shipping Update!
There’s so much happening!  What shall I tell you about first?  When I open a boxed shipment from one of the manufacturers I use, it really is like Christmas!  After hours of design, tweaking the art, and matching colors, the end product is such a joy to behold!  Today I received the much anticipated Rio Grande…
American Freedom Train on the Blues
For most it’s a life dream to build a model railroad. For the past 25 years one of my rail buddies, Keith Schaber, has been building his Union Pacific Blue Mountain Division. Built on two levels, with operating signals and many sidings, a train will take a real 50-plus minutes to go from one end to the…
First time ever on the cover of a national magazine!
Model Railroad News has made the announcement of my first ever ‘O Scale‘ car a headline cover page story! How exciting and so fun to see! This car is impressive to behold, and I’m sure you’ll agree regardless of the scale. The American Fruit Packers ‘Cascadian‘ label car is being produced by Atlas…