Z Scale Trains are Surprisingly Good!
A look at a Z scale train set from American Z Line and a first look at a small Z scale layout I built. The full build video of the Z...
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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
Jul 4, 20231 min read
Will This 72 Year Old American Flyer Train Run?
A look at my dad’s American Flyer set from 1950 or 1951. This 4-4-2 Atlantic still runs, albeit poorly. I plan to give the locomotive an...
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Stephen Strum
Jun 27, 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...
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Stephen Strum
Jun 20, 20231 min read
Testing O Gauge Switching Layout Design Plus MTH Premier Boxcars
I picked up a 40’ and 50’ MTH Premier boxcars, three Atlas O54 turnouts, and some extra track pieces. That allowed me to test part of my...
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Stephen Strum
Jun 13, 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...
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Stephen Strum
Jun 6, 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...
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Stephen Strum
May 30, 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...
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Stephen Strum
May 23, 20231 min read
Try Mocking Up Your Structures Before You Build Them
Before I build the other structures on the 2x4 foot N scale project layout, I mocked up all of the structures I want to add with blocks...
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Stephen Strum
May 16, 20231 min read
Lionel Legacy SW1 and O Scale Switching Layout Plans
In the video at the bottom of the post I take a quick look at the Lionel Legacy SW1 and my plans for a 2x7 or 2x8 foot O Scale switching...
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Stephen Strum
May 9, 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...
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Stephen Strum
May 2, 20231 min read
US Railroad Facts and Figures
In my latest video, I look at a variety of data on Class I railroads in the US, including annual revenue, number of locomotives, number...
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Stephen Strum
Apr 25, 20231 min read
Why is the Hobby of Model Railroading Worthwhile?
In this video, I discuss the hobby of model railroading and why it is a worthwhile hobby to partake in if you are looking for a new...
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Stephen Strum
Apr 18, 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...
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Stephen Strum
Apr 11, 202314 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...
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Stephen Strum
Apr 4, 20231 min read
Athearn 57’ Mechanical Reefers with Sound
I recently picked up two of the Athearn’s N Scale 57’ mechanical reefers with sound. The sound on these struggles a bit out of the box...
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Stephen Strum
Mar 28, 20231 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...
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Stephen Strum
Mar 21, 20232 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...
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Stephen Strum
Mar 14, 20234 min read
The Aufero Laser 2: A Great, Low-Cost Laser Cutter for the Hobbyist
I recently obtained the Aufero Laser 2, which is a low-cost laser cutter and engraver. This laser cutter must be assembled, but doing so...
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Stephen Strum
Mar 7, 20231 min read
Wiring Tools and Supplies and How to Use Them
I'm getting ready to wire up my 2x4 foot N Scale project layout, and these are the primary wiring tools and supplies that I normally use...
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Stephen Strum
Feb 25, 20231 min read
Affordable, Great Looking Paper Structures!
I Are you looking for an affordable way to add structures to your layout, try a paper structure kit! The one I build in this video below...
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