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!

Roanoke N Convention Part 2

Another great time at the National N Scale Convention! If you’ve never been to one, you really need to go.  Besides a great Swap Meet with major N Scale manufacturers, there are clinics, auctions, rail tours, layout home tours, and even model contests.  The winner in the model contest this year, for the category ‘best…

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Norfolk Southern Office Car Special

Several railroads today have what is called an ‘Office Car Special’, a term used for the executive train. Often the call sign or train symbol for this type of train is OCS. When I was looking for cars to produce for my Executive Line Series, the Norfolk Southern paint scheme jumped out at me as…

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Silver Smith Tours 2015

I just added a tab to my home page that will allow you to check out what is next in the way of private varnish trips. After last year’s trip to Milwaukee was a huge success, and then 70% of those riders reserved on this years trip to Durango, it is a huge ‘vote of…

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Getting it Right – Again! (Part 2)

Speaking of getting it right, I had every confidence that the next Executive Line release, the Norfolk Southern’s West Virginia, would have no problem being on time. I have been watching ‘closely’ the production over the months and keeping ‘tuned in’ to confirm delivery at the end of April. The inserts were ready, and the…

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Getting it Right

Set to ‘release’ soon is the latest in my Executive Line Series of business cars. The Norfolk Southern’s ‘West Virginia‘, is beautiful! In fact, the entire NS ‘Office Car Special’ is a beautiful train! I have several connections in that area, and with the NS, and they have been most helpful in providing photo details,…

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Where does the idea come from?

Last summer while at the NSE convention, my good friend Richard Fisher approached me. He suggested that “since I knew Walt Disney, I should do a set of engines from his movie, ‘The Great Locomotive Chase’”! Rather funny, but a serious idea. Richard will be rewarded for his idea. He also will be joining us…

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The Great Locomotive Chase

Since I can remember, I have always had an interest in the American Civil War, and have been rather fascinated by many stories of the family hardships that the War Between the States caused. In 1992, I traveled to the NMRA convention in Columbus, OH. It was my first time ‘back east’ and since the…

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Barb & Lowell’s next great rail adventure!

As you read in a prior blog post, we had an amazing train trip last summer when we chartered California Zephyr cars and headed across the country to attend the 2013 National N Scale Train Convention in Milwaukee WI. The trip was everything we wanted it to be, and as a vote of assuring confidence, many…

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Train Show Season

Every year I go to several train shows and they are a blast. What is most enjoyable is meeting you at these shows and having time with my friends again. Our hobby is fascinating and continues to grow and evolve with new technology, ideas, and products. One of the best shows in the Northwest is…

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Railroad Christmas Joy

I truly believe that this hobby is one of the greatest in the world. The spirit of camaraderie we share makes us a tight knit group. Some of the people that I consider to be my closest friends are my “brothers in rail”. They know my family and I have met many of theirs. I…

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Latest On The Track

What They Say:

P.B.

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

Gordon and Dorothy

I have never been treated as graciously and in a manner more suited to a VIP in my life, as I was on our train trip.  It’s obvious how you’ve made your life a success story.  Looking around the train and seeing your friends I’m pretty sure they  were all made to feel very special by you, and your…

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.

G.P.

I just received the “The Great Locomotive Chase” set from the Walt Disney Family Museum. Very nicely done!

J. Arenas

Wow… You made my dream come true with the CK Holiday! I am a great admirer of your work.

R.M.

These are indeed miniature masterpieces.

B.L.

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

Rick S.

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

S. S.

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

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.