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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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The Structures are Done!
I finally finished all the structures for the 2x4 foot N scale layout! This video shows some tips and tricks for building and painting...

Stephen Strum
Jan 23, 20241 min read


Kato Silver Streak
A look at the Kato Silver Streak N Scale passenger train set. This is another great set from Kato that both looks and runs great. This...

Stephen Strum
Dec 26, 20231 min read


Broadway Limited Conrail SW7 — A Great Running Small N Scale Diesel
This Broadway Limited SW7 with a Paragon 4 DCC board is a great small N scale locomotive that runs better than others thanks to an...

Stephen Strum
Dec 12, 20231 min read


Easy Backdrop Wall Panels
Need some backdrops for your model railroad? Here is how I built some backdrop panels for my 2x4 N scale layout out of cardboard, paint,...

Stephen Strum
Nov 21, 20231 min read


Building Roads
A look at how I built the roads on the 2x4 N Scale layout. For the top section I used drywall joint compound (a plaster mix) and for the...

Stephen Strum
Nov 14, 20231 min read


Build Simple Model Guardrails for Your Layout
In this week's video, I show a short tutorial on how to model roadside guardrails in N scale or any scale so you can keep the miniature...

Stephen Strum
Oct 31, 20231 min read


First Two Structures Installed on the 2’x4’ Layout!
Progress is speeding up on the 2'x4' model railroad project. I have all the roads and structure bases done, and I now have the first two...

Stephen Strum
Oct 17, 20231 min read


Update on the 2’x4’ N Scale Layout
This week's video shows the latest progress on the 2x4 N Scale project layout. I have most of the upper level town area complete, except...

Stephen Strum
Sep 26, 20231 min read


Fast and Removable Scenery Modules
I've been experimenting more with making pieces of scenery easily removable so you can easily change out the look of your layout, easily...

Stephen Strum
Sep 19, 20231 min read


Progress Update on the 2x4 N Scale Layout
I’ve made progress on the 2x4 N Scale Layout project and have worked on partially building 13 additional structures for the layout. It is...

Stephen Strum
Aug 1, 20231 min read


Finishing up the Wiring on the 2x4 N Scale Layout
I finally finished up the wiring on the 2x4 N Scale project layout. Ok, I have a little bit of wiring to finish up on the top level tram...

Stephen Strum
Jun 27, 20231 min read


Running Seven SD70ACes in One Consist on the 2x4 N Scale Layout
I recently purchased seven new Kato N scale SD70ACes showing the Union Pacific heritage fleet. I’ll be using these in another project...

Stephen Strum
Jun 13, 20231 min read


First Scenery on the 2x4 N Scale Layout
I decided to work on some scenery for the lower level of the 2x4 N Scale project layout. I ballased the visible track (although I still...

Stephen Strum
Jun 6, 20231 min read


How to Fail and Not Fail at Dual DC and DCC Train Control
In this week’s video, I go over how I set up part of my 2x4 foot N scale layout for dual DC and DCC train control. Eventually, I will...

Stephen Strum
May 30, 20231 min read


Kitbash Your Way to Model Building Freedom
In this week's video, I look at how I built the Walthers Modern Transload Terminal kit in N scale to fit a specific space on my 2x4 foot...

Stephen Strum
May 9, 20231 min read


Concrete Retaining Walls from Plywood and Styrene
I completed the retaining walls on the lower level of the 2x4 foot N scale layout and have a new video up on how I built them. These...

Stephen Strum
Apr 18, 20231 min read


Installing Kato Unitrack
Want to help support the channel? Buy me a cup of coffee! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/stephenstrum Ok, so I started by assembling all...

Stephen Strum
Apr 11, 202314 min read


First Run of Four Trains at Once on the 2x4 N Scale Layout
I finally have all the track installed on the 2x4 foot N scale project layout and the wiring complete enough to run four trains at one...

Stephen Strum
Mar 28, 20231 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...

Stephen Strum
Mar 21, 20232 min read


2x4 Foot N Scale Layout: Building the Benchwork
In this post I’ll go over the construction of the benchwork for the 2x4 N Scale project layout I’m working on in early 2023. First off,...

Stephen Strum
Feb 17, 202311 min read
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