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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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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
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Tiny Z Scale Steam!!
A look at the Rokuhan Z-scale 0-6-0 steam locomotive. It's a tiny marvel, but very delicate! I launched the tiny, delicate locomotive off...
Stephen Strum
Oct 29, 20241 min read
205
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How I Finished the N Scale Switching Layout
A look at how I installed the structures, ballasted and weathered the track, completed the scenery, and added the layout details to the...
Stephen Strum
Oct 22, 20241 min read
256
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Can You Weld O Gauge Track?
Sometimes I get weird ideas, and this time it was to see if I could weld, not solder, but weld O gauge track. It was pretty clear from...
Stephen Strum
Oct 15, 20241 min read
64
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A Quick Look at the Completed 1x5 N Scale Layout
A quick overview of the completed 1’x5’ N scale switching layout. The final structures are in place, the track is ballasted, ground foam...
Stephen Strum
Oct 8, 20241 min read
384
1


Can You 3D Print Your Layout Terrain?
If you don’t like wood working, and don’t want to mess with foam, you might try 3D-printing the terrain for more model train layout. You...
Stephen Strum
Oct 1, 20241 min read
182
1


Kato N Scale Amtrack Passenger Set and Expansion Track Packs
A look at a Kato N scale Passenger train set and three Kato expansion track sets. With Kato track sets, you can easily expand your layout...
Stephen Strum
Sep 24, 20241 min read
258
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Build a Train Table from a Door
Do you need a table to run your trains or need a base for a train layout in N or Z scale, or maybe a small HO or O scale layout? Grab a...
Stephen Strum
Sep 17, 20241 min read
223
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Easy Layout Lighting with LED Strip Lights
I was struggling to get good lighting on my small 1'x5' N scale switching layout, so I used a roll of LED strip lights to add some needed...
Stephen Strum
Sep 10, 20241 min read
120
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Track Plans (Mostly N Scale)
An ongoing blog post with track plans that I will add to over time. I'll try to get the track plans for layouts I've actually built here...
Stephen Strum
Sep 5, 202428 min read
132,420
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More Structures for the N Scale Switching Layout
I've completed four more structures for the N scale switching layout including one with a rail door that opens. The layout is nearly done...
Stephen Strum
Sep 3, 20241 min read
293
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More Door Layout Ideas
I'm still working on ideas for a 36"x80" N scale layout that I plan to start building next year. Previously I've been playing around with...
Stephen Strum
Aug 27, 20242 min read
754
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All My Locomotives
A quick look at all my motive power in T, Z, N, TT, HO, S, On30, O, and G scales and gauges. While my collection is small compared to...
Stephen Strum
Aug 20, 20241 min read
121
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Get Your Hobby Area Organized with a Label Maker!
I bought a label maker and it helped organize my hobby workshop! The label maker I have is a Dymo label maker that I picked up from...
Stephen Strum
Aug 13, 20241 min read
68
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Atlas DC and DCC N Scale GP40-2 // Easy DCC Install
A look at the Atlas N Scale GP40-2 locomotives in both DCC and DCC Ready (DC) versions along with how to upgrade the DC version to DCC....
Stephen Strum
Aug 6, 20241 min read
186
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Easy Custom Structures
In this week's video I show how I used modular structure elements to create a custom structure for my small N scale switching layout. I...
Stephen Strum
Jul 30, 20241 min read
293
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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
493
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Finishing Up the Big Pine Mine On30 Project Layout
I’ve wrapped up the On30 Project Layout. See how I finished up the scenery and wrapped up this project! I‘ll have a full start-to-finish...
Stephen Strum
Jul 23, 20241 min read
36
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Ideas for an N Scale Layout on a Door
I’m considering building an N scale model railroad on a hollow core door sometime next year as one of my future projects. Here are some...
Stephen Strum
Jul 16, 20241 min read
2,585
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The Mine for the Big Pine Mine Layout
The small On30 Big Pine Mine Railroad finally has a mine! I built the mine using the Little Creek Mining Company kit from Banta Model...
Stephen Strum
Jul 9, 20241 min read
194
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