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Model Railroader, American Flyer & 2-Rail
O Scale
A young Bob Smith holds one of the first production
models of the PA locomotive. All the men pictured here were members of the Beverly O Gaugers.
left to right: Marty Touhy, unknown, Doc Major, Phil Dohn, Travor Best, Bob Smith, and Barney Steumpel. The model
Bob is holding was owned and custom painted by Phil Dohn, in the dark suit. "Central Locomotive Works' Golden Anniversary — The Bob Smith Story" by Michael Ross with
Stephen Neill; OSN 139, pp.39-42.
- Chicago, 1947+. Bob Smith and Bob Colson (honored
in 2001) often displayed their wares in the same area at shows. They built a fairly small display layout together,
possibly better described as a moderately sceniced test track; Central Locomotive Works and All-Nation Hobby Shop
shared responsibility for this display.
- Florida, 1990's. Bob had visions and possibly a plan
for a future layout in his Florida workshop. He had track all the way around the wall of the shop with a small
power pack to run a few locos back and forth over a small section. Against a far wall, he had some beautiful handlaid
turnouts and one track crossed through one of these; there were some structures (meant for a future layout) displayed:
a large roundhouse filled with his display locos; a coaling tower; wood truss bridge (wood, Strathmore board &
tinplate); a 31" turntable (later owned by Steve Neill); and several miscellaneous smaller buildings. Steve
Neill once wrote: "Bob was aware that he gave up the pleasure of seeing a layout built and operating in trade
for the pleasure of helping O Scalers build their own engines from his kits… Given the level of craftsmanship he
was capable of, especially before he became ill, I can only wonder what a wonderful layout he could have built."
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Manufacturer, Central Locomotive Works (1947-1998)
- Additional
information is available upon request from the Walthers Collection library of the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA). E-mail them for more details.
- Best
known for developing a line of cast brass models of first generation diesels. Later went on to pioneer etched brass
locomotives with lost-wax brass detailing (both steam and diesel locomotives.
- C&O
Kanawha casting set
- PRR
H-10
- Northern
4-8-4 (based on 1951 purchase of Lobaugh 4-8-4, signed off by Charles Smith, Donnelly's VP)
- Southern
Ps4 2-6-2
- EMD
switcher — oddly enough, Bob Smith's NW2 "design" was quite a complicated business venture and the drawings
& research were also the basis for the General Models NW2 (under Mathews, which later evolved to be the All-Nation
Line NW2) and the Lionel NW2!
- Bob
often worked with Lindsey Adams of Adams & Son. Adams did Bob's pattern work. Their relationship fell apart
when there was a dispute involving a Hines Lines project (later General Models). [see OSN 93 "Old Reliable
(or the Trials and Tribulations of an O Scale Historian)" by John S. Fischer for details]
- Bob
remained friendly with both Lindsey Adams and Mathews of General Models after some of the "dust" had
settled. In the interim, the CLW NW2 did appeared to be duplicated by both Lionel and a now All-Nation Line model.
There were some major differences between the models: The Bob Smith/CLW was brass and one to two pounds heavier than the GM/All-Nation Line "zamac" model, and
the Lionel model was RTR with a drive very similar to the CLW model (Lionel modified the drive after the first
few years). In the 1970s, several modelers reviewed both with comparisons and while they rated assembly & construction
easier on the All-Nation version, most preferred the operation of the heavier CLW version, no one chose to review
any of the Lionel variants for OSN so other than to comment on its genesis, there was little notice given to it.
- Bob
Smith was both an industrious man. While he may have been discouraged with this early model he did continue to
develop this switcher and many more to come. He chose to use another pattern maker after Adams & Son once their
relationship fell apart, but he did not allow early setbacks to sour him on either the industry or his new business,
He maintained a good relationship with all parties involved and moved on to the next project.
- many
more, metal parts and kits
- See
also today's Central Locomotive Works website (the company is now owned and operated by Lou Houlemarde in California). As of
2002, there are no more new kits and the current owner sells the diesel models as ready-to-run. Steam production
has been discontinued, but drives and many parts are available.
- Bought
a piece of ScaleCraft, and with this purchase came with two tons of brass ingots and a ton of aluminum. Not a really
good experience for Bob as it changed his business momentum and led to a number of changes in his business relationships.
The brass & aluminum from this purchase never found its way into any of the CLW projects. Where it went is
rather moot after all these years, and since Bob S. (and others) gave OSN various explanations of the 1946 - 1952
disputes, duplications, business problems, and other model/company/origin history over the years — probably no
ones knows (and parts is parts after a bit), so the question is moot. Bottomline? CLW's brass parts are still
available through Central Locomotive Works (see their link in above, or on our supplier's page. If you cannot locate
what you need at today's CLW, perhaps you should chat with folks (also listed on Supplier's page) at: Stevenson
Preservation Lines, All-Nation Lines, or Babbitt Railway Supply Company. There is a good chance that a part IDENTICAL
to the one you need is still available from these sources.
- Had
several students over the years. Men such as OSN's Michael Ross who traveled to Florida to meet Bob and learn his
techniques. Michael Ross also wrote the highly detailed instruction sheets (with photos) that were included with
many of CLW's final releases. Others corresponded with Bob Smith, first via standard mail and later on the Internet
(He did not openly publish his E-mail address.). Bob Smith was not a manufacturer stuck in the past, throughout
his career he adapted many of the latest techniques to refine and improve his his models. This was where he put
all of his energy, keeping current and staying young.
- Later
comments:
- Michael
Ross: "As some of you may know, for several years I have been visiting Bob 2 or 3 times a year and each time
have spent several days working under his direction in his shop. Initially this was meant as a "prilgrimage
to Mecca." Over the years Bob did indeed teach me a lot about machining and other aspects of model construction,
and those trips and the interviews led eventually to the 50th aniv article on CLW in the recent OSN. Over the past
2 years, however, Bob's Parkinson's tremor has gotten so bad that I and other intermittant visitor volunteers have
done most of the work. I have just retuned from another such trip, and Bob said it was OK to provide everyone with
an update on his condition.
Back in December I helped Bob work on the Baldwin centercab kits. At that time,
he was actually able to form the hoods and cab roofs himself with great effort (this was the one job he has not
yet entrusted to others). Shortly after that he became seriously ill as everyone knows. When he met me at this
door one week ago, I was very pleasantly surprised that he smiled, was mentally clear, and back to about 95% of
the performance he had prior to the illness. The tremor is still his major impediment.
Bob has however come to painfully accept the idea that he can not keep Central
going. The official line is that he has stopped accepting new orders until he "catches up," but we all
know that this is the end of Central under Bob Smith. Less that 20 centercab kits remain to be finished and most
of the necessary parts have been ordered ($ is a big problem for Bob right now). To complete those kits Bob still
needs worms, gears and axles (expensive items). Those few kits are all reserved.
Bob has been selling his personnel collection and most items are by now gone
as well (he knows full well what is happening).
It is my personal hope that a buyer will step forward for Central who is able
to capitalize the business adequately and produce both old and new kits, and update the kits as well Michael Ross, Texas"
- Bob
Smith's E-mail on the subject, May 26, 1998:
TO
ALL O SCALERS
It is with deep regret that I must offer Central Locomotive Works for sale. I have been in business for over fifty
years, and have built "CLW" into the premier manufacturer of O Scale steam and diesel locomotive kits
in America. My mind remains sharp and I wish I could continue, but the tremor of Parkinson's Disease now makes
it impossible for me to continue the manufacturing process.
Here follow list of assets of CLW,and to close: I have had a most wonderful life. The people I met and the extraordinary
friendships I have made with O Scalers around the world have been very rewarding. Model railroading is currently
a growing hobby, and I think all O Scalers would like to see Central Locomotive Works in capable hands that can
ensure its continued growth.
Robert
"Bob" Smith, Central Locomotive Works"
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