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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
Mar 21, 20232 min read
What N Scale Track Should You Use?
In my latest video I look at six different types of N Scale track. Kato Unitrack, Bachmann EZ Ttrack, Atlas Code 80 and Code 55 and Peco...
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Stephen Strum
Feb 7, 20231 min read
2x4 Foot Layout Benchwork Preview
I have most of the benchwork done on the 2x4 foot N scale layout, and have moved onto laying track and installing the initial wiring....
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Stephen Strum
Jan 13, 20233 min read
Exciting New 2’x4’ N Scale Project Layout!
I'm starting work on a few new N scale project layouts, the largest being 2x4 feet. While still small, this layout will feature four...
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Stephen Strum
Dec 21, 20221 min read
A Model Train Yule Log
I put together a video with one hour of trains running on some of the layouts I built during the past decade along with background...
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Stephen Strum
Dec 3, 20221 min read
Progress on the Portable N Scale Switching Layout in a Case
In the video below, see how I added some roadway areas and structure bases that have various metal brackets and washers embedded within...
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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
May 4, 20221 min read
1’x5’ N Scale Switching Layout in a Wooden Case Sneak Preview
I’ve been working on a new N scale switching layout built into a nice wooden case that I made. Once I have the wiring finished, I’ll...
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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
Dec 19, 202112 min read
Building a 3.5' x 5.5' N Scale Layout Part 4: Adding trees, water features, and final details
The 3.5' by 5.5' N scale layout is finally done! Here is the 4th and final part of the construction of this layout. Ok, so when we left...
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Stephen Strum
Sep 24, 202120 min read
Building a 3.5' x 5.5' N Scale Layout Part 3: More Scenery, Structures, Signals, and Lighting
This is the long-overdue part three in a four-part series on building this three and a half by five-and-a-half-foot N scale project...
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Stephen Strum
Jun 27, 20212 min read
Z Stuff for Trains Signals
I recently purchased some Z Stuff for Trains track and crossing signals to use on my current project layout. I really like these, and...
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Stephen Strum
Jun 2, 20211 min read
Athearn Big Boy!
I just posted a video review of the N scale Athearn Big Boy which you can see at the bottom of the post. This is a fantastic locomotive...
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Stephen Strum
Jan 21, 20213 min read
Athearn 53' Bulkhead Flatcars and How to Make Easy Lumber Loads
In this post, we are going to take a look at the Athearn 53' bulkhead flatcars in N scale as well as an easy and basically free way to...
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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
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
Oct 15, 20201 min read
Colorado Loop: a 2x3 Foot N Scale Layout Preview
A preview of a small mountain-themed N scale model railroad layout. I've completed another small N Scale layout project. This layout is...
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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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