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!

A Personal Connection To The #4449

Our family’s connection with the 4449 has been lifelong. I remember visiting Oaks Park in Portland during the 1970’s to see the engine sitting behind a chain-link fence, slowly decaying. I hope to share a photo I took of it back then, and will add when I find it. Then came the news that it…

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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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Latest On The Track

What They Say:

Rad J.

Lowell, I am very pleased with the N Scale Ferdinand Magellan Presidential car. As a retired US Secret Service agent I have conducted security advances for the president and his family traveling by train. I have done a lot of research on the Ferdinand Magellan and the model has excellent detail. It will be an…

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…

R. K.

You are in my book one of the very best.

B. Kutch

Love your 3-rail O Scale Atlas Woodside Reefer series. Looking forward to future issues.

Jerry E.

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

Anonymous

The thing I love about all the things you do is the fact that everything is so well thought out, so beautiful and so unique.  

J. Echlin

Many thanks for your superb offerings and beautiful work!

Jeff B.

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

J D

Thanks, Lowell, for another awesome addition to an already incredible train.

R.M.

These are indeed miniature masterpieces.