Model Railway Features
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.
Reality Check: Stanier’s ‘Duchess’ class 'Pacifics
Although eclipsed in the public’s imagination by engines from rival railways the LMS ‘Duchesses’ were the most powerful passenger locomotives of their time and given other circumstances might have even held the world steam speed record, as EVAN GREEN-HUGHES explains.
EVAN GREEN-HUGHES
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
Class 92 Electrics
Throughout the history of Britain’s railways there have been many locomotives and trains with troubled histories, with amongst the most recent the Class 92 electrics - a design that has struggled to find its rightful place on today’s railway despite its immense capability, as EVAN GREEN-HUGHES explains.
. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES
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.
The Crosti ‘9Fs’ - a bold experiment
One of the most easily identifiable of the ‘standard’ classes was the small group of Crosti boilered ‘9F’ 2-10-0s, a peculiar design which had the chimney halfway down the boiler and which was anything but a success.
EVAN GREEN-HUGHES
The Southern Railway 'Lord Nelson' 4-6-0s
During the 1920s the Southern Railway identified a requirement for a powerful yet fast locomotive for use on its continental boat train services, and this was to lead to the development of the ‘Lord Nelson’ class, a design that perhaps never really lived up to its full potential. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES takes up the story.
EVAN GREEN-HUGHES
Flying Scotsman
Arguably the most famous steam locomotive in the world, Flying Scotsman has returned to the rails to huge public acclaim following a £4.5m overhaul. However, the prospects for this famous machine have not always been as rosy as they are today, as EVAN GREEN-HUGHES describes.
EVAN GREEN-HUGHES
Starting out in narrow gauge
The arrival of ready-to-run ‘OO9’ locomotives and rolling stock is an exciting catalyst for narrow gauge modelling. MIKE WILD explores the subject and discusses how to get started with your own project.
MIKE WILD
Construction: Building roads
Using Woodland Scenics Road System products and a Wills Modern level crossing, MIKE WILD shows how we added a realistic road scene to West Coast Cement.
LEGOMAN ‘ Electra ’ - Class 91 sound
The new Hornby Class 91 has all the looks of the real locomotives and a powerful chassis too, but how do you add sound? MIKE WILD takes one apart to show how simple it is and completes a matching Mk 4 DVT at the same time.
BEGINNER’S GUIDE: Model railway controller choices
Analogue or digital, app or handset, there are new important choices when it comes to driving your model railway locomotives. We surveys the options.
MIKE WILD
BEGINNER’S GUIDE: Choosing a location
Designing your layout requires more than simply building the baseboards and adding track. Hornby Magazine starts at the beginning and explains how to find the perfect location to build your dream railway in your own home.
MIKE WILD
BEGINNER'S GUIDE: Building model railway baseboards
A baseboard provides a solid foundation onto which a reliable and enjoyable model railway can be built. Hornby Magazine explains its simple method for home-made solid top boards in simple steps.
MIKE WILD
BEGINNER'S GUIDE: Model railway scales and gauges
There were once only two primary choices for the ready-to-run layout builder, today we have five to choose from with the recent announcement of ‘O-16.5’ narrow gauge models. HORNBY MAGAZINE looks into the options offering advice and guidance for the budding modeller.
MIKE WILD
BEGINNER'S GUIDE Model railway layout designs
There are many different styles of model railway you can build ranging from circuits to terminus and through stations with different levels of operation. Hornby Magazine explores the main options.
MIKE WILD
BEGINNER’S GUIDE: Ballasting your model railway
Careful ballasting of your track will add realism to any model railway in any scale. We explains the basics step by step.
MIKE WILD
BEGINNER’S GUIDE: Connecting power to the track
Making your first connection from the controller to your track is the most important. Hornby Magazine explains the basics and how you can connect wires to your track neatly.
MIKE WILD
BEGINNER’S GUIDE: Top track laying tips
If you want to start running trains, we need to talk about track. We present essential tips for reliable and smooth-running track.
MIKE WILD