Model Railway Features
WORKBENCH: Class 20 weathering – Part 2
With Class 20s aplenty on his workbench, TIM SHACKLETON continues in his quest to confer a series of subtle makeovers to his fleet of ‘OO’ English Electric Type 1s.
TIM SHACKLETON
Superdetailing Snowploughs in 'OO' gauge
Network Rail has a fleet of snowploughs on standby for the winter. ANDY WILLSHER shows how to super detail Flangeway’s excellent ZZA model in ’OO’ gauge.
ANDY WILSHER
Making Tracks 3 - January Update
Making Tracks 3 is the most ambitious layout Pete Waterman and the Railnuts group have built yet and there are just six months to go until its debut in Chester Cathedral. CHRIS CLENTON brings the story up to date with a new update from the Making Tracks 3 workshop.
CHRIS CLENTON
Weathering and detailing a Hornby LNER 'Q6' in 'OO' gauge
Operating your layout with only a limited selection of classes is entirely prototypical – but how do you make near-identical engines look different? TIM SHACKLETON shows how you can do it through weathering effects alone.
TIM SHACKLETON
Wheeltapper sound for the Dapol ‘Manor’
The Dapol GWR ‘Manor’ 4-6-0 is designed with sound installation in mind. MIKE WILD explores its simplicity with a new sound profile from the Wheeltapper collection on an ESU V5 chip. Read the full guide and watch our demonstration video here.
MIKE WILD
MAKING A SCENE: Modelling river crossings
A ford crossing a river or stream could make an interesting and unusual setting on a layout. DAN EVASON shows how you can build one and bring it to life.
DAN EVASON
Detailing Lima and Hornby RailRoad Class 31s
With a bit of work and a sharp eye on costs, many older models can be brought into line with more recent productions. TIM SHACKLETON shows how you can transform second-hand bargains into smooth-running, good-looking models you can be proud of.
TIM SHACKLETON
STEP BY STEP: Installing Wills point rodding
Wills Models range of point rodding kits are a simple and affordable means of introducing detail at the lineside. In this feature NIGEL BURKIN explains how the kits can be used in conjunction with a ground frame in ‘OO’ gauge.
Nigel Burkin
Model railway rolling stock detailing
How do you make the most of today’s stunning ready-to-run models? MIKE WILD offers 20 ways to enhance your models with readily available products and simple steps.
MIKE WILD
Making buildings from scratch
Creating bespoke buildings for your layout may sound daunting, but as MALCOLM BRIGGS shows in the start of a new series, it is far easier than you might think.
MALCOLM BRIGGS
ZIMO Digital sound for the Hornby HST
The scream of turbochargers epitomised the High Speed Trains when they entered service. PAUL CHETTER sets out to recreate the spectacle with digital sound in ‘OO’ gauge using the Hornby 8-pin chassis HST power cars as the basis.
PAUL CHETTER
Train formations: Class 43 High Speed Trains
If you think High Speed Trains are all alike, you might be surprised at the variety. MARK CHIVERS presents a series of formations covering their 40-year careers.
MARK CHIVERS
WORKBENCH: Class 20 weathering – Part 1
The Class 20 offers potential for detailed weathering effects. TIM SHACKLETON brushes up on the basics of weathering with a pair of Bachmann Class 20s in 'OO' gauge.
TIM SHACKLETON
EQUIPMENT GUIDE: Wheel cleaners
Keeping model wheels clean is vital but can be tricky. MARK CHIVERS assesses some of the best products on the market in the Hornby Magazine Equipment Guide.
MARK CHIVERS
3D printing model railway carriages
As computers, software and peripherals become ever more advanced, increasing numbers of modellers are embracing the technology as a new form of digital scratchbuilding, as STEPHEN GRANT outlines.
STEPHEN GRANT
Modifying the Hornby Grand Suspension bridge
Generations of modellers grew up seeing pictures of the Tri-ang/Hornby suspension bridge - but can this veteran model work in today’s high-fidelity world? DAN EVASON explains how he updated it to provide a signature structure.
DAN EVASON
Upgrading Hornby’s veteran Class 90
Hornby’s ‘OO’ gauge model of the Class 90 AC electric has been around since the early 1990s and shows its age from the box. However, with a few simple upgrades MIKE WILD shows how he went about improving the appearance of uniquely liveried 90128 Vractverbinding in Belgian Railways blue and yellow.
MIKE WILD
How to create a 1930s roadworks scene
Like railways, roads always need maintaining. DAN EVASON shows how to recreate a typical 1930s roadworks scene.
DAN EVASON
Modelling Tyne Dock Class 24s in 'OO' gauge
TIM SHACKLETON goes for a high-fidelity weathering treatment that squares with the level of detail on a matched pair of Sulzer Type 2s.
TIM SHACKLETON
BEGINNERS GUIDE: Where do I start?
Before you start building a model railway, there are a few important questions to consider. JONATHAN NEWTON looks at what they are and what some options might be.
JONATHAN NEWTON
BEGINNERS GUIDE: Choosing a model railway scale
Choosing a gauge to model can present a challenge. However, as RICHARD HALL explores, the ever-increasing ranges across multiple scales each provide their own strengths and benefits.
RICHARD HALL
BEGINNERS GUIDE: Developing the grand plan
Developing your layout’s design is a highly rewarding part of the process. MARK CHIVERS offers a few hints and tips to help create that master track plan.
MARK CHIVERS
BEGINNERS GUIDE: Top tips for a better layout
Some simple steps can maximise your enjoyment of your model railway. JONATHAN NEWTON offers 20 top tips to aid construction and reliable operation of your new layout.
JONATHAN NEWTON
BEGINNERS GUIDE: Transform your layout
Details can make a very real difference to a layout, transforming it from a train set to a model railway. JONATHAN NEWTON examines the options.
JONATHAN NEWTON
Weathering Diesel Brake Tenders in 'OO' gauge
With a new selection of Key Publishing’s exclusive ‘OO’ gauge diesel brake tender now available, TIM COOPER shows how some gentle weathering can really bring this model to life.
TIM COOPER
Locoman sound for the Hornby ‘9F’
The arrival of Hornby’s all-new and stunning model of the BR ‘9F’ 2-10-0 was a sound installation project too good to resist. MIKE WILD shows how you can install sound into the Hornby ‘9F’ as designed and with optional extras.
MIKE WILD
Construction: Topley Dale station renovation
Platforms looking empty, tired signage or just needing a little maintenance. MIKE WILD offers 10 top tips to breath new life into any station scene no matter how big or small.
Construction: Scratch-building in styrene
TIM SHACKLETON demonstrates the basics of wagon building using plastic sheet and strip – what’s involved, what to use, how to go about it. Using ordinary hand tools and equally simple techniques, it may be easier than you might think.
TIM SHACKLETON
Workbench: Quickfix canopy
Using a combination of kits, components and scratchbuilding, Mike Wild developed a canopy and building frontage to fill a void on Hornby Magazine's 'OO' gauge terminus layout Grosvenor Square.
MIKE WILD
Big sound for a Peco ‘Small England’
How do you fit Digital Command Control, stay-alive and sound into a tiny ‘OO9’ gauge locomotive? JOHN GAY reveals how.