Model Railway Features
EASTERN REGION HISTORY
Of all the regions created when the railways were nationalised, the Eastern was perhaps the most forward-looking, yet many aspects of its advances are today not widely appreciated, as EVAN GREEN-HUGHES explains.
Prestwin mix & match
Want to break away from the limitations of ready-to-run rolling stock and create something original? TIM SHACKLETON uses simple cross-kitting to create bespoke models of a distinctive prototype.
Dibnah Diorama
Fred Dibnah was a legendary steeplejack and passionate about steam power. DAN EVASON pays tribute to him with a 4mm scale diorama based on a chimney scene.
NATIONAL ‘GRIDS’ - THE CLASS 56
The Class 56 is one of only a few British diesel locomotive classes to be designed specifically for heavy freight work and has nowadays largely disappeared from the network - although those that remain could have an interesting future. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES explains all.
DEEP UNDERGROUND
With a route mileage of just under 250 and serving 272 stations, the London Underground network carries around five million passengers a day, yet attracts little attention from enthusiasts and modellers. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES delves into the fascinating history of this unique system, much of which is normally well hidden from public view.
Platinum purple bulleid
The repaint of ‘West Country’ 34027 into a special Platinum Jubilee purple livery has generated huge interest. RICHARD HALL shows how you can recreate the look on a super-detailed Hornby Bulleid ‘Pacific’.
VIDEO: Building the Great Central Railway - Episode 4
Episode 4 of the Building the Great Central Railway video series is here. Join Mike and Richard as they delve into the details of Swithland Sidings, explain how it was built, its features, rolling stock and operation in this 40 minute video. Watch it today exclusively on KeyModelWorld.
Building Swithland signalbox
When you want to model a specific railway structure, in many cases the only way is to scratch build. PAUL CHAPMAN explains how he built Swithland Signalbox for the Great Central Railway layout.
Swithland Sidings Under construction
In the 2021 Hornby Magazine Yearbook, we started our new project to build a replica of the Great Central Railway in just 16ft x 8ft and this year we are completing the second phase with a model of Swithland Sidings. MIKE WILD explains its construction.
Farewell to the ‘Bubbles’ Class 121 and 122 DMUs
On May 19 2017, the final examples of British Railway’s famous ‘bubble cars’ were withdrawn from mainline service after a remarkable career spanning 57 years, during which time they have gone through many modifications and changes to their duties. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES reflects on the story of the Class 121 and 122 DMUs.
VIDEO: Building the Great Central Railway - Episode three
In Episode 3 of building the Great Central Railway Mike Wild and Richard Watson continue on their journey of building a brand new model railway in 'OO' gauge. This time focusing on all things scenery from track weathering to expanding foam and the fine details. Watch Episode 3 here to see how we tackle the scenics.
Modelling a Stanier ‘Jubilee’ in early post- Nationalisation condition
Combining extensive prototype research with creative flair, TIM SHACKLETON models a Stanier ‘Jubilee’ in early post- Nationalisation condition, still carrying pre-war LMS livery.
The East Coast Class 91s
Although a staple of the East Coast Main Line for the last three decades the Class electrics are now coming to the end of their illustrious careers, during which time each has covered more than seven million miles, as EVAN GREEN-HUGHES reports.
Building a low-relief Warehouse
A warehouse is the perfect way to add detail to a layout’s backdrop. DAN EVASON shows how to build a laser-cut low relief structure in ‘OO’.
VIDEO: Building the Great Central Railway - Episode two
In Episode 2 of building the Great Central Railway Mike Wild and Richard Watson continue development of our brand new model railway layout. This time the team are focusing on all things track, from laying Peco's bullhead flexible track to wiring and baseboard joints. Watch Episode 2 here to see how we get trains running.
Locoman ‘W1' sound installation guide
New sound projects for the Gresley ‘W1’ 4-6-4 are available from Locoman Sounds to suit both the original high pressure and later rebuilt versions of this unique steam engine. MIKE WILD shows how to install Doehler & Haass decoders into Hornby’s ‘OO’ models with exclusive KeyModelWorld sound demonstration video.
Great Central Railway Reborn
Although the Great Central Railway closed as a through route in 1966, the memory of this once ground-breaking line has been kept alive by what has become one of the country’s greatest preservation projects, as EVAN GREEN-HUGHES describes.
Killer ‘20s’ renumbered, weathered and sound fitted
The Direct Rail Services-operated Class 20/3s offer an attractive and different locomotive for the modern railway scene. For his latest rolling stock project MIKE WILD decided to renumber, weather and sound fit a pair of the recent Bachmann ‘OO’ gauge models.
BUILDING POINTS FROM FINETRAX KITS
Building your own points doesn’t have to be a complicated and time consuming process, as TIM SHACKLETON demonstrates whilst assembling one of the impressive quick-build plastic turnout kits from Finetrax.
THE CLASS 86 ELECTRICS
Despite being the largest single class of electric locomotive in the country, the Class 86 has never attracted much attention from either enthusiasts or modellers, yet it was the workhorse of the West Coast route for more than 20 years, as EVAN GREEN-HUGHES explains.
Merry-go-round Trains
Doctor Beeching is more commonly known as the man who destroyed much of our railway system, but his time in office also produced initiatives that helped the railway to prosper, including the introduction of the ‘merry-go-round’ train for handling the transport of coal, as EVAN GREEN-HUGHES describes.
Weathering EFE Rail's SEA and SPA Wagons
Looking to add EFE Rail’s recently released ‘OO’ gauge SEA and SPA wagons to his fleet, DAVID DOLMAN took to the workbench to improve their outof-the-box appearance with a realistic, weathered in-service makeover.
How to build a cement terminal
Industrial activities are a brilliant corner filler for a model railway. DAN EVASON picks up a Gaugemaster kit with European heritage and shows how it can be built for a British scene.
Hornby Sentinel Sound installation
PAUL CHETTER describes how to add an invisible sound installation to Hornby’s diminutive Sentinel industrial locomotive.
Building Parkend North | Part two
With the foundations of this Western Region layout complete, DAN EVASON reveals how he brought the scenery to life in the second of our two features illustrating the construction of Parkend North in 'OO' gauge.
WE SHOW YOU HOW: Mixed-media modelling
Always looking for ways of expanding his horizons, TIM SHACKLETON follows the American approach of creating your own kits from a customised pick ‘n’ mix of available parts.
Final days of the diesel hydraulics
One of the shortest-lived initiatives of British Railways’ 1955 Modernisation Plan was the use of diesel-hydraulic traction on the Western Region. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES takes a look at the demise of these famous locomotives, and explains why they had such brief lives.
Modelling Bewdley station with 3D printing
Having selected a suitable subject, TRISTRAM NEAL outlines how he used modern printing techniques to create a bespoke station building, based on a well-known Severn Valley Railway prototype at Bewdley in this detailed step by step modelling guide.
Installing ESU sound in the Bachmann Class 66
Bachmann's Class 66 is a simple locomotive to upgrade to digital sound. In this KeyModelWorld exclusive feature MIKE WILD installs an ESU 21-pin decoder with Legomanbiffo's high performance sound together with a powerful speaker and stay alive into the 'OO' gauge model. Read the full guide here and watch our sound demonstration video.
The Class 14 - Swindon’s big misjudgement
Of all the diesels built during the modernisation of British Railways the Class 14s stand out as one of the shortest lived – not because they were a poor design but because they were built to the wrong specification at the wrong time. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES looks at the history of this small class.