For the Love of Trains

January 21, 2019 / Lowell Smith / Comments Off on For the Love of Trains

I often get asked “where do you get these ideas”? 

Well, if you know me, it’s not a short answer. Nor is it a simple response. But like most of you, I have always loved trains.

As you might know, I’m a railroad modeler. I love to build the miniature world and operate the trains in a way they did ‘back in the day’. When you look at the different ‘series’ of trains I produce, many are based only from ideas in my own mind. As things go, one leads to another. Each ‘series’ has its’ own story and each story is fun to remember.

In 1994 I commissioned Micro-Trains to produce a special run for me. My first, of what has become much more than I ever expected.

Here is a photo of that first car. I had it made as a celebrating reminder of the 125th anniversary of the the Gold Spike.

Here we are now, about to celebrate the 150th anniversary of something that was such an accomplishment back in 1869. Our nation has never been the same, and I suppose I can say that my decision to make this Gold Spike special run certainly changed me as well.

– Lowell

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Lowell Smith

A native of Portland, Oregon, Lowell Smith married his church choir sweetheart Barb in 1978. After a lifetime of rail-fanning, Lowell and Barb ventured out in 1992 to launch a new business in Portland, Oregon. Read more

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What They Say:

Joe W.

And as for your goal of 5 releases a year, I admire your ambition, but I won’t hold it against you if you fall short on that accomplishment.  I’m just thrilled you’re doing such an AWESOME job of releasing this amazing train, and hope you don’t stop until it’s all done!

Charlie S.

Thank you for producing such well researched quality offerings.

S. Reames

I received my observation/business car today and – like all of my other cars from you – I love it!

D.G.

Nothing better than receiving that white box from Lowell Smith.

Ray F.

I just wanted you to know my O gauge Hood River Pears car came yesterday in perfect condition. This car is just beautiful I can’t wait for the next one to come out. Keep up the good work.

P.B.

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

Paul G.

I just received my Carolwood Pacific cars yesterday. They are exquisite! Every attention to detail was paid here, and I can’t thank you enough for putting this into production.  They are going to look amazing, circling my main Street miniatures display.

S. S.

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

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…

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…