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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
Jun 4, 20241 min read
Model a Big Pine Tree
I built a pine tree for my Big Pine Mine On30 layout that is two feet tall! This tree is made from a piece of bass wood with holes...
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Stephen Strum
May 28, 20241 min read
Atlas N Scale GP15 with a TCS Keep Alive Capacitor!
I picked up a DC versio of an Atlas GP15 and then added a TCS drop in decoder along with one of their small Keep Alive capacitors and...
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Stephen Strum
May 21, 20241 min read
Operating Session on the 2’x4’ N Scale Layout
A look at an operating session with a switch list on the 2’x4’ N Scale project layout. This was a simple operating session that only took...
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Stephen Strum
May 15, 20243 min read
Resources
UPDATED: 12/3/2024 I'm compiling a list of websites for people and companies providing a variety of helpful model railroad-related...
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Stephen Strum
May 13, 20241 min read
On30 Project Layout Part 2: Building the Base Scenery
I’ve completed the base scenery on the On30 layout. I built a mountain out of sulptamold covered foam, built base areas for the...
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Stephen Strum
May 10, 20248 min read
Start-to-Finish: Build a Small Z Scale Switching Layout
This is a compilation of the previous two posts on this layout build. This is an easy to build and fun to operate layout that you can...
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Stephen Strum
May 1, 20244 min read
Z Scale Switching Layout Part 2
I finished my simple Z scale switching layout! In this week’s video I show how I added some simple scenery, a structure made from a...
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Stephen Strum
Apr 30, 20241 min read
Cure Train Blindness // Choo Choo Vision Camera
Do you wish your model trains could see? Add a Choo Choo Vision camera and get live cab views from your locomotive. This week’s video...
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Stephen Strum
Apr 23, 20246 min read
Z Scale Switching Layout Part 1
Introducing the Middle Manager’s switching layout. This is a small 8” by 36” Z scale layout that you can fit just about anywhere. A...
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Stephen Strum
Apr 16, 20241 min read
Project Previews
This week, my video shows a sneak peak at my upcoming videos on a new Z scale switching layout, further work on the On30 layout, train...
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Stephen Strum
Apr 9, 20241 min read
Help Me Find More Modelers Selling Goods and Services
I'm working to compile a list of great modelers selling goods and services like the following list. You can view the latest version here:...
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Stephen Strum
Apr 2, 20242 min read
Building a 2'x4' N Scale Layout from Start to Finish
The video at the bottom of the post is a compilation of the many-part tutorial series on building this 2'x4' N scale layout. I've...
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Stephen Strum
Mar 26, 20241 min read
Ready to Build the O Gauge Switching Layout
I finally purchased the last piece of track I need to build my O Gauge switching layout: an Atlas O54 Right Hand Turnout. These things...
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Stephen Strum
Mar 19, 20241 min read
The 2'x4' N Scale Layout is Done
The 2x4 foot N scale project layout is finally done*. See all the new additions to the layout in this video along with some trains...
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Stephen Strum
Mar 12, 20241 min read
New On30 Project Layout using an Ironworks Models Layout Base Kit!
In this week's video, I use an Ironworks Models Layout Base Kit to start on a new On30 Project layout. This will be a vertically dramatic...
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Stephen Strum
Mar 5, 20241 min read
Looking at a TT and an S Scale Locomotive
A look at a small Hornby TT scale locomotive as well as an American Flyer Baldwin Switcher S scale. These two scales are much less...
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Stephen Strum
Feb 27, 20241 min read
All the Scales?: T, Z, N, TT, HO, S, O, G Scales
In this week's video, I compare the sizes of all the major model railroad scales from T Gauge to G Gauge! Note that I did leave out OO...
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Stephen Strum
Feb 19, 20241 min read
G Gauge Trains are Huge!
A Quick Look at a USA Trains G Gauge train set that I recently picked up. It is remarkable how much larger a G scale train is compared to...
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Stephen Strum
Feb 13, 20241 min read
My Workspace and How I Make My Videos
In my video this week, I do a quick behind-the-scenes tour of my work space, my YouTube video recording setup, and how I currently edit...
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Stephen Strum
Feb 6, 20246 min read
Top Level Done! Adding Details
The removable top level of the 2’x4’ N scale model railroad project is complete! I added catenary poles, street lights, road striping,...
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