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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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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
Converting to O Gauge Kadee Couplers
I’ve converted my two MTH O scale boxcars and my Lionel Legacy SW1 locomotive from the standard Lionel couplers to Kadee couplers. The...
Stephen Strum
Jul 25, 20231 min read
Build a Tiny Z Scale Layout
I recently picked up a Z Scale starter set (https://ztrackcenter.com/starter-sets) and decided to build a small layout with the included...
Stephen Strum
Jul 18, 20232 min read
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...
Stephen Strum
Jul 11, 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...
Stephen Strum
Jul 4, 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
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...
Stephen Strum
Jun 20, 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
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...
Stephen Strum
May 23, 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...
Stephen Strum
May 16, 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
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...
Stephen Strum
May 2, 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...
Stephen Strum
Apr 25, 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
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...
Stephen Strum
Apr 4, 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...
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
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