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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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You Can Build This Easy Holiday Train Layout in 20 Mins
You can build a super simple N scale holiday train layout with only 20-30 minutes of work (albeit spread out over time to allow for paint...
Stephen Strum
Nov 26, 20241 min read
152
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How to Start in N Scale?
If you are new to N scale trains, or new to model trains in general, here are some ideas on how to get started. If you are new to model...
Stephen Strum
Nov 19, 20241 min read
504
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New Layout Project: The Helix Layout
I’m starting a new simple layout project that is based on a double helix kit from Precision Model Railroad. I plan to build the double...
Stephen Strum
Nov 12, 20241 min read
631
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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
962
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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
207
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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
274
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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
65
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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
394
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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
196
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
272
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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
246
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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
124
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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
137,219
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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
301
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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
788
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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
122
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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
69
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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
192
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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
302
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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
543
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