Stephen Strum6 days ago1 minBuild a Scale Model of any Location on Google Maps!I built a scale model of a ski resort. You can do the same for any location you can find on Google Maps. Watch the new video and find out...
Stephen StrumJun 116 minN 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 StrumMay 41 min1’x5’ N Scale Switching Layout in a Wooden Case Sneak PreviewI’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...
Stephen StrumFeb 812 minN Scale Track PlansFebruary 8, 2022 Update: Added a compact version of the San Jose Shelf Switcher An ongoing blog post with track plans that I will add to...
Stephen StrumFeb 71 min3x5 Layout Compilation VideoI put together a compilation video of the 3x5 N scale layout. This video combines the series into one video, with the beginnings and ends...
Stephen StrumJan 304 minAthearn 50' PS-1 Plug Door Boxcars and a Quick 5-Minute Weathering TechniqueA few months ago I had a post on some new Athearn 50' PS-1 boxcars: https://www.steves-trains.com/post/new-athearn-boxcars-and-3x5-n-scal...
Stephen StrumDec 25, 20211 minA Tiny Winter Scene Micro LayoutI 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 StrumDec 19, 202112 minBuilding a 3.5' x 5.5' N Scale Layout Part 4: Adding trees, water features, and final detailsThe 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...
Stephen StrumOct 26, 20211 minNew Athearn Boxcars and 3x5 N Scale Layout UpdateI recently posted a video on some nice Athearn 50' N scale boxcars that are now available as well as an update on the 3x5 N scale layout...
Stephen StrumSep 24, 202120 minBuilding a 3.5' x 5.5' N Scale Layout Part 3: More Scenery, Structures, Signals, and LightingThis 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...
Stephen StrumAug 28, 20211 min3x5 N Scale Layout UpdateA quick update on the 3x5 N Scale Layout Project. I hope to have the full Part 3 of this 4 Part series out in a couple of weeks. I've...
Stephen StrumAug 18, 20211 minUnion Pacific Big Boy Visits Oklahoma Again on August 12, 2021I was lucky enough to see the UP Big Boy travel through Oklahoma during October 2019. Since I enjoyed seeing the massive steam locomotive...
Stephen StrumAug 18, 20211 minRoomettes: Cheap, Easy, and Fast Interiors for Your StructuresI recently purchased a Roomettes kit so I could add some interiors to a couple of structures on my N scale project layout. The kits are...
Stephen StrumJun 27, 20212 minZ Stuff for Trains SignalsI recently purchased some Z Stuff for Trains track and crossing signals to use on my current project layout. I really like these, and...
Stephen StrumJun 2, 20211 minAthearn 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...
Stephen StrumMay 25, 20212 minAthearn N Scale Airslide Hopper CarsAthearn recently sent me three of their new 2600 cubic foot Airslide covered hopper cars to take a look at. One was a GATX modeled after...
Stephen StrumApr 3, 202114 minBuilding a 3.5' x 5.5' N Scale Layout Part 2: Track and WiringA lot has been completed on the layout and will be covered in this post (once I have all of it finished in a week or two): All track has...
Stephen StrumFeb 25, 20211 minSteve's Trains on 24Trains.tvWe have recently put around ten of our videos up on 24Trains.tv, a website that offers thousands of train-related videos from around the...
Stephen StrumFeb 23, 202110 minBuilding a 3.5' x 5.5' N Scale Layout Part 1: Benchwork and Base SceneryOk, so this new 3.5" by 5.5" foot N scale project layout you can see here features a double track, twice around design. The size of this...
Stephen StrumJan 22, 20212 minHakko FX-888D Soldering Station and Quad-HandsGreat tools for improving your soldering game. Two of my recent tool acquisitions, both Christmas and birthday presents, were the Hakko...