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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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Stephen Strum
Nov 121 min read
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...
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Stephen Strum
Nov 51 min read
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...
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Stephen Strum
Jul 291 min read
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...
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Stephen Strum
May 108 min read
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...
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Stephen Strum
Apr 22 min read
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...
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Stephen Strum
Sep 12, 202310 min read
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...
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Stephen Strum
Jul 18, 20232 min read
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...
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Stephen Strum
Jun 1, 202216 min read
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...
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Stephen Strum
Feb 7, 20221 min read
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...
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Stephen Strum
Dec 25, 20211 min read
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...
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Stephen Strum
Jan 12, 20214 min read
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....
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Stephen Strum
Dec 3, 202013 min read
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...
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Stephen Strum
Oct 23, 202013 min read
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....
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Stephen Strum
Sep 11, 20202 min read
1x3 Foot HO Switching Layout
A small Inglenook Sidings switching layout for an office shelf.
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Stephen Strum
Sep 10, 202015 min read
Desktop Micro Layout: 17" x 30"
A tiny layout with continuous running and some industrial switching operations.
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Stephen Strum
Jul 13, 20201 min read
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...
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Stephen Strum
Jul 13, 20202 min read
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:...
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Stephen Strum
Jul 13, 20201 min read
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...
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Stephen Strum
Jul 13, 20201 min read
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...
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Stephen Strum
Jul 13, 20201 min read
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...
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