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Model Railroading in Small Spaces
My focus is on building small and portable model railroads, usually in N scale. Come explore some of my recent projects.
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New Layout Project: The Helix Layout
I’m starting a new simple layout project that is based on a double helix kit from Precision Model Railroad. I plan to build the double...
Stephen Strum
Nov 12, 20241 min read
615
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How to Build a 1'x5' N Scale Switching Layout from Start to Finish
This compilation video shows how I built a 1’x5’ N scale switching layout in a wooden case. This layout was built over a couple of years...
Stephen Strum
Nov 5, 20241 min read
924
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Complete On30 Layout Build
The video below shows the complete start-to-finish build of this small On30 train layout. This layout is only about 25” by 28” in size...
Stephen Strum
Jul 29, 20241 min read
526
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Start-to-Finish: Build a Small Z Scale Switching Layout
This is a compilation of the previous two posts on this layout build. This is an easy to build and fun to operate layout that you can...
Stephen Strum
May 10, 20248 min read
777
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Building a 2'x4' N Scale Layout from Start to Finish
The video at the bottom of the post is a compilation of the many-part tutorial series on building this 2'x4' N scale layout. I've...
Stephen Strum
Apr 2, 20242 min read
3,589
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I Built a Working Train Hat!
Well, are you looking for a crazy hat idea or just looking for a way to draw the most possible attention to yourself at a train show? Try...
Stephen Strum
Sep 12, 202310 min read
426
1


Build a Tiny Z Scale Layout
I recently picked up a Z Scale starter set (https://ztrackcenter.com/starter-sets) and decided to build a small layout with the included...
Stephen Strum
Jul 18, 20232 min read
1,335
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N Scale Switching Layout in a Portable Case!
This is the first post in a series on building an N scale switching layout in a portable wooden case that runs on DCC and contains a...
Stephen Strum
Jun 1, 202216 min read
2,387
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3x5 Layout Build From Start to Finish
There are four main blog posts for this layout going over the entire construction process. Part 1 Benchwork: https://www.steves-trains.co...
Stephen Strum
Feb 7, 20221 min read
3,456
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A Tiny Winter Scene Micro Layout
I built this tiny winter scene in N scale on a serving tray (flipped upside down). Check out the video below of the tiny layout and a...
Stephen Strum
Dec 25, 20211 min read
964
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The Executive Switching Layout
A very simple, easy to build, and fun to operate, N scale Inglnook switching layout that you can put together with about an hour of work....
Stephen Strum
Jan 12, 20214 min read
4,366
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Tulsa Spur from Start to Finish
In this post, I'm going to show you from start to finish how I built this 1 by 6.5 foot HO scale switching layout. This layout went...
Stephen Strum
Dec 3, 202013 min read
3,178
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Colorado Loop Layout Build
A 2x3' N Scale Mountain Layout Ok, so this project started back in the spring as part of a simultaneous build of four layout projects....
Stephen Strum
Oct 23, 202013 min read
3,813
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1x3 Foot HO Switching Layout
A small Inglenook Sidings switching layout for an office shelf.
Stephen Strum
Sep 11, 20202 min read
4,351
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Desktop Micro Layout: 17" x 30"
A tiny layout with continuous running and some industrial switching operations.
Stephen Strum
Sep 10, 202015 min read
12,891
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2020 Donation Layout
A small 20" x 36" On30 Micro Layout I once again decided to build a small train layout to donate to the annual silent auction at my son's...
Stephen Strum
Jul 13, 20201 min read
536
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Tulsa Spur
A 1' x 6.5' HO Scale Switching Layout ***Note, I built this layout into a shadow box in 2020. See how I did that here:...
Stephen Strum
Jul 13, 20202 min read
1,570
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A 24" Diameter N Scale Mountain Layout
A small battery-powered N Scale layout with a display track, waterfall, and push-button operation. Another 2020 layout project was to...
Stephen Strum
Jul 13, 20201 min read
1,188
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A Tiny 11" Diameter Micro Layout
A small N scale layout with a Kato Pocket Line train I built this neat little 11" diameter N scale micro layout in early 2019 that is...
Stephen Strum
Jul 13, 20201 min read
660
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A Modular N Scale Layout
An N scale layout built from T-Trak modules One of my current projects is a modular N scale layout using T-Trak modules from Masterpiece...
Stephen Strum
Jul 13, 20201 min read
1,125
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