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!
Alaska Railroad at 100 years!
“Have you been to Alaska?” is the question often followed by, “Did you ride the Alaska Railroad!?” Barb and I have been there several times. Once you have visited our 49th state, you know why it is called ’the last frontier’. It’s vastness is unlike anything we have ever seen. This year marks the 100-year anniversary of…
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The 1947 North Coast Limited on the North Bank Road
My very good friend, Keith Lyons, a great fan and modeler of the Northern Pacific, suggested years ago that the 1947 North Coast Limited had never been done and would be a fine addition to my line-up of special runs. I looked into it and decided to call this new series the ‘Mainstreeter’ as I knew that…
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Walking the floor at the D23 Expo with Lowell – September 2022
For those of you that were not at the huge Disney event known as D23 Expo, here is a quick video of the floor and behind the scenes. I thought it would be fun to show, as most of you were not there. The next time this event happens, (planned for 2024), you would need…
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Matamerism
Desiring to do the very best that we can, we look for resources in every facet of the models we build. When it comes to getting a color right, it is always best to go to the source. In the case of the Northern Pacific Railroad, we are blessed to have the actual color cards,…
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The Florida Trains
Travelers to Florida had several rail lines they could choose to get to Jacksonville. But south from there, there was only one railroad, The Florida East Coast. Owned by Henry M. Flagler, the road was founded in 1895. The simple chart here shows how all lines lead to the FEC. This chart is not at…
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A Time To Build
“For everything there is a season… A time to tear down and a time to build up.” Ecclesiastes 3:3 (NLT). ‘A Time To Build’…. This recent title on the issue of Cowcatcher magazine really caught me. If we take just that part of the scripture, it sure rings true right now. It really is a ’time to…
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Passenger Service on the SP&S
The picture below tells a fun story of this Northwest train, our next Build-a-Train consist. The SP&S Train #2 ran from Portland to Spokane. Train #1 ran the opposite direction. This photo shows its late-day trip west of Wishram, Washington traveling at speed over the fill at Horse Thief Lake, with the mighty Columbia River in the…
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Isolated But Not Alone!
We may be isolated but we are not alone! If you are making lemonade out of lemons, you are spending quality time with your family, and building your railroad! And, how can that be bad? I would be working on my model railroad, if it were not for the production of the American Freedom Train, which…
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Build-A-Train Success – The Texas Special
The Texas Special roll out has gone very well. By the end of this year, 2020, we project that all of the cars will be available or close to shipping, with the exception of the Buffet Lounge and the E-7 power. The power should be announced about 12 months from now. The speed of this…
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2020 is an Exciting New Year
You are probably saying this too, ‘Time is sure going fast.’ So much happened last year, and there’s so much to reflect upon. On a connected note, thank you with your well wishes, and similar stories, responding to my last blog ‘Thankful’ (about Prostate Cancer). I am surrounded by friends and that is the’ best’ we can…
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