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!

2018 National Train Show Experience

This year’s big show was held in Kansas City.  With Kansas City being the geographical ‘center’ of the U.S., I thought this would be a great show and would draw from all parts of the country, and I was right because folks from every corner of the nation attended.  This annual event is the biggest ’traveling’ train show, as it…

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City of Prineville Railway: A new chapter

On January 14th Barb and I celebrated 40 years of marriage. On that day, we moved the last truck of household goods from our home of 27 years in Portland, to the Central Oregon town of Prineville. You may have heard of the ‘City of Prineville Railway’.   You may have been wondering ‘what happened to…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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National N Scale Convention

Most every year Barb and I make it a priority to visit a different part of our country with our friends of the organization known as the N Sale Enthusiast. This year the convention was held in Roanoke, Virginia. We had never been to that part of the state, so we knew it would be…

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Oregon Trunk Fishing Trip

Last week I had the special opportunity to go fishing with my son, Jeremy. Life is busy, but given the chance to have a day with him, made me happy to take it! We love to fly fish, and rarely take the time to enjoy such a fun hobby, so off we headed to one…

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Portland’s Meet N March

We had such a great time, last weekend, with all of our rail friends from all around the Northwest!    We call this N Scale only swap event ‘Meet N March’.  It was my grand daughter’s first N scale train meet!   I think we’ve been having this meet for about 20 years.  Once-in-awhile we’ve called…

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An interview with Lowell

One of the benefits of having an amazingly talented daughter is connecting with her business associates at Propel Businessworks. Tim Griffin of Mission: Communicate helped Jamie with much of the technical aspects of my new website, and although he lives across the globe, he touches many companies in the world in the area of website…

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Latest On The Track

What They Say:

Jim and Jo Ann K.

Every aspect of the trip was professionally done.  You and Barbara were on top of every change and your matter-of-fact assurances speak highly of your professionalism.  Jo Ann is a retired chef  and we know what good food is, and the meals provided on the CZ trip were stellar! BRAVO to you and Barbara for…

G.N.

As a retiree of the Walt Disney Company I look forward to upcoming releases of the Disney Family Museum and Disneyland series.  Keep up the excellent 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”.

R.M.

You know I’m always looking forward to the next release and its arrival with great anticipation. I treasure my Lowell Smith Signature collection.

B.L.

Thank you ever so much for being such an integral part of the model railroading hobby!

Jeff B.

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

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.

R.M.

These are indeed miniature masterpieces.

Chuck T.

Just a quick note to acknowledge receipt of my AFT Tool Car. Thanks so much for another Outstanding Piece of Craftsmanship! The AFT is my most prized “N” Scale collection. I had perceived that there were delays in getting this last car into our hands, but thought it was a problem with China. Your letter…

Rick S.

Every new release from your Signature Series gets me revved up for the rails.