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!

Where Shall We Eat?

The thought process in choosing the right diner to model I was rather surprised to see such a variety of floor plans that different railroads used. It was not just as simple as 48 seats or 32 seats and a lounge. We went to produce several variations on the diner theme and found the choices…

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Important Ordering Tips

Please remember that orders are not shipped until all items in your order have arrived from the factory.   Before placing your order, see the product page for ‘expected arrival dates’ as shown. Ordering items that are arriving soon, or in the next month, ALONG WITH items that are ‘in stock’ is smart, but will…

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A Yellowstone Celebration!

We love to celebrate our parks. This year we must celebrate ‘all that America is’ in our parks, with the sesquicentennial (150th) anniversary of YELLOWSTONE, our first park. Only 150 years ago, in 1872, President US Grant signed the document making Yellowstone a national park. ‘National’ because Wyoming was still a territory and not a state yet.…

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To BSB or Not to BSB

Building an Accurate Train… We always want to do the best we can to create an accurate train in our Build-a-Train process. That said, lets consider the Big Sky Blue sleepers we recently announced in our new P-S 4119 (Duplex) plan. Our research for this GN ‘River’ series (each car having the suffix ‘River’ in…

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New Duplex Sleeper

We have selected and begun production on our latest RailSmith N Scale model – a new duplex sleeper! As railroads entered the ‘Streamline Era’, sleeping cars were developed that had a variety of accommodations all in the same car.  These were a popular choice in this time of expansion. Pullman-Standard led the way with the…

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Newly Tooled Coach!

New N scale model is in production! Our ’newly tooled’ Coach, is a Pullman-Standard car that follows the plan 7510. We are very excited to bring this car that has never before been produced in N Scale. This coach was seen in several paint schemes and will offer a nice variety to the N Scale modeler…

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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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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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Arrivals Update: December 2018

RailSmith It is very exciting to know that the first RailSmith shipment is ‘on the water’ as they say. I am delighted that the factory had the first run completed ‘on time’ in early November. The fact that it took me much longer than planned, or understood, to set up the paperwork to become an…

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Christmas Is Coming – and so are your trains…

Christmas is Coming! And so are your trains! Presently, there is one release arriving in November, three releases coming in December, with two more in January. That combined with the RailSmith cars arriving will prove to be a very busy winter, and Christmas season. It’s never the plan to get it all at the same time,…

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Latest On The Track

What They Say:

Jerry E.

Received GN A10 today. Absolutely stunning! I am very pleased. Thank You all.

D.K.

Aside from the quality, creativity and originality, you are to be commended for your ongoing commitment to this (GAC) series, and all of your series of trains over a period of so many years.  There is always something to look forward to. Keep up the great work!’ D. K.

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!

P.B.

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

R.L.

Ferdinand Magellan is great! This really fits your mission of offering significant cars that otherwise wouldn’t be produced.

J. Arenas

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

S. S.

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

R.M.

These are indeed miniature masterpieces.

Rick S.

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

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”.