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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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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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2x4 Foot Layout Benchwork Preview
I have most of the benchwork done on the 2x4 foot N scale layout, and have moved onto laying track and installing the initial wiring....

Stephen Strum
Feb 7, 20231 min read
327
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Exciting New 2’x4’ N Scale Project Layout!
I'm starting work on a few new N scale project layouts, the largest being 2x4 feet. While still small, this layout will feature four...

Stephen Strum
Jan 13, 20233 min read
3,188
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A Model Train Yule Log
I put together a video with one hour of trains running on some of the layouts I built during the past decade along with background...

Stephen Strum
Dec 21, 20221 min read
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Progress on the Portable N Scale Switching Layout in a Case
In the video below, see how I added some roadway areas and structure bases that have various metal brackets and washers embedded within...

Stephen Strum
Dec 3, 20221 min read
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N Scale Switching Layout in a Portable Case!
This is the first post in a series on building an N scale switching layout in a portable wooden case that runs on DCC and contains a...

Stephen Strum
Jun 1, 202216 min read
2,446
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1’x5’ N Scale Switching Layout in a Wooden Case Sneak Preview
I’ve been working on a new N scale switching layout built into a nice wooden case that I made. Once I have the wiring finished, I’ll...

Stephen Strum
May 4, 20221 min read
567
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3x5 Layout Build From Start to Finish
There are four main blog posts for this layout going over the entire construction process. Part 1 Benchwork: https://www.steves-trains.co...

Stephen Strum
Feb 7, 20221 min read
3,499
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A Tiny Winter Scene Micro Layout
I built this tiny winter scene in N scale on a serving tray (flipped upside down). Check out the video below of the tiny layout and a...

Stephen Strum
Dec 25, 20211 min read
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Building a 3.5' x 5.5' N Scale Layout Part 4: Adding trees, water features, and final details
The 3.5' by 5.5' N scale layout is finally done! Here is the 4th and final part of the construction of this layout. Ok, so when we left...

Stephen Strum
Dec 19, 202112 min read
1,956
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Building a 3.5' x 5.5' N Scale Layout Part 3: More Scenery, Structures, Signals, and Lighting
This is the long-overdue part three in a four-part series on building this three and a half by five-and-a-half-foot N scale project...

Stephen Strum
Sep 24, 202120 min read
2,203
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Z Stuff for Trains Signals
I recently purchased some Z Stuff for Trains track and crossing signals to use on my current project layout. I really like these, and...

Stephen Strum
Jun 27, 20212 min read
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Athearn Big Boy!
I just posted a video review of the N scale Athearn Big Boy which you can see at the bottom of the post. This is a fantastic locomotive...

Stephen Strum
Jun 2, 20211 min read
273
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Athearn 53' Bulkhead Flatcars and How to Make Easy Lumber Loads
In this post, we are going to take a look at the Athearn 53' bulkhead flatcars in N scale as well as an easy and basically free way to...

Stephen Strum
Jan 21, 20213 min read
1,092
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The Executive Switching Layout
A very simple, easy to build, and fun to operate, N scale Inglnook switching layout that you can put together with about an hour of work....

Stephen Strum
Jan 12, 20214 min read
4,439
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Colorado Loop Layout Build
A 2x3' N Scale Mountain Layout Ok, so this project started back in the spring as part of a simultaneous build of four layout projects....

Stephen Strum
Oct 23, 202013 min read
3,837
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Colorado Loop: a 2x3 Foot N Scale Layout Preview
A preview of a small mountain-themed N scale model railroad layout. I've completed another small N Scale layout project. This layout is...

Stephen Strum
Oct 15, 20201 min read
652
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Desktop Micro Layout: 17" x 30"
A tiny layout with continuous running and some industrial switching operations.

Stephen Strum
Sep 10, 202015 min read
13,132
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