Thankful!

Every year at this time we pause to reflect the past year, and often the cumulative years, of what has brought us to this point in life.  We have so much to be thankful for, but this year I am extra grateful.

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer two years ago, and this past April underwent a radical prostectomy, and it’s not a little surgery I assure you. The doctor’s prognosis is great, and I am doing well with my PSA score ‘undetectable’!  Thank you, Jesus!

I tell you this not only because of being thankful, but I know that some of you may have had this common disease, as well, and I pray that your outcome is as good as mine.  And, if you have not had your PSA blood test in the past year, GET IT DONE, NOW!  Generally, it is slow growing but sometimes, like mine, it is not and can be very aggressive.  Like me, you probably know others that did not get it checked in time.  Don’t be one of those statistics.

Live life, but be responsible to get to the doctor once-a-year as they suggest.  This has been quite a distraction from some productions, such as the last car of the American Freedom Train, which requires lots of handwork on my part.  I appreciate your understanding and patience with me this past year.

I am sure I will receive emails from some of you about your experiences.  If you still have those ‘bad cells’ in your body, I pray they are dissolved and gone, in Jesus’ name.  

Thankful for life worth living,

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:

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!

J.R.

Lowell, I received my Great Locomotive Chase set today. “THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL.” Keep up the good work.

B.L.

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

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.

Rick S.

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

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.

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”.

Dan & Nina D.

So glad our big Alaska trip happened when it did.  It was the trip of a lifetime for me and Nina, thank you so much for organizing it.