Stock Remaining

November 10, 2016 / Lowell Smith / Comments Off on Stock Remaining

I love the fall!  Actually, I love every change of season and in Portland we get each season to enjoy.  Train season, of course, is my favorite!

afp-21-rainierIt is here!   Once-a-year I release an American Fruit Packers car and this year is the 21st car and represents the 21st year of this series.  Wow, time flies!  The car came out amazing and I’m betting you’ll agree.  With this release comes the announcement of next year’s car, and you can go to the website to see it.

I am often asked if I have any (you name it) left.  The urgency of making a purchase decision is very hard to state.  In an ideal situation, a release of any series is almost completely sold out within four weeks of the release date.  But, it is actually hard to predict.  Take the American Freedom Train for example – after four years of production and only a few ‘sold outs’, all of a sudden the rush was on and there are almost none left except for current cars!

The Executive Line’s Union Pacific is a great case in point.  All are sold except ONE of Houston and TWO of Pocatello.  And, I have had only those three UP cars, for about six months!  What you see is ‘in stock’ but really are only two purchases away from ‘SOLD OUT’.  It was the same with the Walt Disney Lilly Belle.  A year ago they were selling like crazy until somewhere around February. Then with only a dozen to sell and sales slowed to just a few all year and now there are only 8 pieces left.

This summer I have spent time moving boxes in my shop and have found a few items that you’d probably be interested in.  I’ve listed a couple of pieces, on the website, that have been sold out for years.  I could make it a treasure hunt, but just go to where you see the elephants!  Then in a few weeks, I will plan to list some in a different series and so forth.

All cars you’ll be delighted with I’m sure!

Until then…

Thanks, and enjoy your fall ‘train season’!

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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R.M.

You know I’m always looking forward to the next release and its arrival with great anticipation. I treasure my Lowell Smith Signature collection.

B. Kutch

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

Jim and Jo Ann K.

Every aspect of the trip was professionally done.  You and Barbara were on top of every change and your matter-of-fact assurances speak highly of your professionalism.  Jo Ann is a retired chef  and we know what good food is, and the meals provided on the CZ trip were stellar! BRAVO to you and Barbara for…

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.

Dan D.

I look forward to continuing to buy trains from my favorite special run train maker. That’s how I think of you now, “The Train Maker”.  And speaking of cool trains, I just received a box loaded with great looking Texas Special cars. Thanks.  I certainly look forward to all the new releases you are planning.

K L

What a trip! We had a great time- exceeded our expectations by a mile. The Silver Lariat was simply stunning. A gem on the rails. The scenery and weather were perfect. The delays were not an issue for us at all. All just a good days work on the railroad! Thank you for all the…

Charlie S.

Thank you for producing such well researched quality offerings.

George H.

Blunt End Observation is a GRAND SLAM! I’ve wanted this car for ages but never figured out a good way to kitbash it.

Bill S.

That car is about the greatest thing I’ve ever seen in N scale!  Excellent work!

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!