Model Trains | Steve's Trains

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.

Build a Scale Model of any Location on Google Maps!

6 days ago
1 min

Build 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...

N Scale Switching Layout in a Portable Case!

Stephen Strum

Jun 1
16 min

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...

1’x5’ N Scale Switching Layout in a Wooden Case Sneak Preview

Stephen Strum

May 4
1 min

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...

Stephen Strum

Feb 8
12 min

N Scale Track Plans

February 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 Strum

Feb 7
1 min

3x5 Layout Compilation Video

I put together a compilation video of the 3x5 N scale layout. This video combines the series into one video, with the beginnings and ends...

Athearn 50' PS-1 Plug Door Boxcars and a Quick 5-Minute Weathering Technique

Stephen Strum

Jan 30
4 min

Athearn 50' PS-1 Plug Door Boxcars and a Quick 5-Minute Weathering Technique

A 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 Strum

Dec 25, 2021
1 min

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...

Building a 3.5' x 5.5' N Scale Layout Part 4: Adding trees, water features, and final details

Stephen Strum

Dec 19, 2021
12 min

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...

New Athearn Boxcars and 3x5 N Scale Layout Update

Stephen Strum

Oct 26, 2021
1 min

New Athearn Boxcars and 3x5 N Scale Layout Update

I 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...

Building a 3.5' x 5.5' N Scale Layout Part 3: More Scenery, Structures, Signals, and Lighting

Stephen Strum

Sep 24, 2021
20 min

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...

Stephen Strum

Aug 28, 2021
1 min

3x5 N Scale Layout Update

A 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...

Union Pacific Big Boy Visits Oklahoma Again on August 12, 2021

Stephen Strum

Aug 18, 2021
1 min

Union Pacific Big Boy Visits Oklahoma Again on August 12, 2021

I was lucky enough to see the UP Big Boy travel through Oklahoma during October 2019. Since I enjoyed seeing the massive steam locomotive...

Roomettes: Cheap, Easy, and Fast Interiors for Your Structures

Stephen Strum

Aug 18, 2021
1 min

Roomettes: Cheap, Easy, and Fast Interiors for Your Structures

I 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 Strum

Jun 27, 2021
2 min

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...

Stephen Strum

Jun 2, 2021
1 min

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...

Stephen Strum

May 25, 2021
2 min

Athearn N Scale Airslide Hopper Cars

Athearn 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...

Building a 3.5' x 5.5' N Scale Layout Part 2: Track and Wiring

Stephen Strum

Apr 3, 2021
14 min

Building a 3.5' x 5.5' N Scale Layout Part 2: Track and Wiring

A 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 Strum

Feb 25, 2021
1 min

Steve's Trains on 24Trains.tv

We have recently put around ten of our videos up on 24Trains.tv, a website that offers thousands of train-related videos from around the...

Building a 3.5' x 5.5' N Scale Layout Part 1: Benchwork and Base Scenery

Stephen Strum

Feb 23, 2021
10 min

Building a 3.5' x 5.5' N Scale Layout Part 1: Benchwork and Base Scenery

Ok, 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...

Hakko FX-888D Soldering Station and Quad-Hands

Stephen Strum

Jan 22, 2021
2 min

Hakko FX-888D Soldering Station and Quad-Hands

Great tools for improving your soldering game. Two of my recent tool acquisitions, both Christmas and birthday presents, were the Hakko...

STEVE'S TRAINS

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.

Build a Scale Model of any Location on Google Maps!

N Scale Switching Layout in a Portable Case!

1’x5’ N Scale Switching Layout in a Wooden Case Sneak Preview

N Scale Track Plans

3x5 Layout Compilation Video

Athearn 50' PS-1 Plug Door Boxcars and a Quick 5-Minute Weathering Technique

A Tiny Winter Scene Micro Layout

Building a 3.5' x 5.5' N Scale Layout Part 4: Adding trees, water features, and final details

New Athearn Boxcars and 3x5 N Scale Layout Update

Building a 3.5' x 5.5' N Scale Layout Part 3: More Scenery, Structures, Signals, and Lighting

3x5 N Scale Layout Update

Union Pacific Big Boy Visits Oklahoma Again on August 12, 2021

Roomettes: Cheap, Easy, and Fast Interiors for Your Structures

Z Stuff for Trains Signals

Athearn Big Boy!

Athearn N Scale Airslide Hopper Cars

Building a 3.5' x 5.5' N Scale Layout Part 2: Track and Wiring

Steve's Trains on 24Trains.tv

Building a 3.5' x 5.5' N Scale Layout Part 1: Benchwork and Base Scenery

Hakko FX-888D Soldering Station and Quad-Hands

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