WELCOME TO HM165 | MARCH 2021
The March 2021 issue of Hornby Magazine (HM165) is here. You can read the full issue in page-turning PDF format or as individual features re-edited to suit the digital world. Indulge in the latest layout features and exclusive online videos, browse new releases in the News and Reviews, discover the secrets of railway modelling through our step by step guides and much more.
HM165, March 2021
Stay alive with DCC Concepts
DCC Concepts has gone back to the drawing board to create its new range of stay alives using smaller components and a flexible system which allows for easier positioning of parts within a locomotive. Read the full story here and watch our video demonstration.
VIDEO: Revolution Trains Class 92 for 'N'
Revolution Trains all-new 'N' gauge Class 92 is reviewed in full in the latest issue of Hornby Magazine - HM165, March 2021. Watch our samples in action on our 'N' gauge test track here.
VIDEO: Weathering a Stanier '8F'
In the latest video from the Hornby Magazine workshop Mike Wild demonstrates how to weather the Hornby '8F' from the latest issue's sound installation guide using Lifecolor paints, and an Iwata Ecplise airbrush. Join us now for this in-depth video guide.
VIDEO: Hornby Magazine Show | February 2021
The latest Hornby Magazine Show is here on KeyModelWorld with Mike, Mark and Richard. In this month's show we complete Topley Dale's Diversion Route, bring you the latest news and profile the ever-popular BR Class 50s.
VIDEO: Locoman Stanier '8F' sound demonstration
In the latest issue of Hornby Magazine (HM165) we install digital sound in the Hornby Stanier '8F' 2-8-0 using Locoman Sounds Doehler & Haass 8-pin chip. Join us on Topley Dale for a full demonstration of the sound decoders features.
VIDEO: Bachmann's 'sealed beam' Class 45
In the latest issue of Hornby Magazine we review Bachmann's new 'sealed beam' Class 45 for 'OO' gauge - and our sample has been custom weathered and renumbered by Grimy Times for a unique finish. Watch the model in action here with sound installed and read the full review in HM165.
GOING NUCLEAR
Nuclear traffic provides ideal train lengths for layouts of any size.TIM SHACKLETON looks at some simple techniques for weathering these short freight trains of recent years.
3D printed ‘J69’
CDC Design’s 3D printed locomotive body for the Great Eastern ‘J69’ 0-6-0T was a temptation too great to resist for TREVOR JONES. He explains how the body can be used with a ready-to-run chassis to add character to a GE fleet.
Sealed beam ‘Peaks’ are back!
The overhauled Class 45 ‘Peaks’ have been a missing component from the modern era ‘OO’ gauge catalogues, but Bachmann is setting that right with the arrival of its Regional Exclusive versions of the Class 45/0 with ‘sealed beam’ headlights. MIKE WILD takes a closer look at this new arrival from Bachmann which has been much requested.
The final years of the Class 45s
While many of British Railways’ early diesel classes were failures, the Class 45s were so useful that many were upgraded and refurbished to extend their lives, as EVAN GREEN-HUGHES explains.
Hornby’s Restaurant Buffet
Hornby's growing collection of all-new BR Mk 1 coaching stock has expanded with the arrival of the new Restaurant Buffet (RB) in original and refurbished (RBR) formats. Read our full review from HM165 here together with video and extra images.
Rails Connect DCC decoders
Rails of Sheffield has recently added a new selection of Digital Command Control (DCC) decoders to its Rails Connect range of electrical accessories.
HobbyTrax DCC Decoder Tester
Measuring 110mm x 80mm, this useful DCC tool features a PCB base with rubber grommet style supports and a series of linked components including LEDs, resistors and the relevant decoder sockets.
Revolution's Class 92
The Class 92 holds a special place in British railway history, as one of these dual voltage electrics hauled the last BR operated service before the start of privatisation in November 1997. Now the class has been immortalised in ‘N’ gauge by Revolution Trains. Could it be the best ready-to-run model for ‘N’ gauge yet? MIKE WILD finds out.
Flangeway ‘Salmons’
Engineering wagons have always been well-received and this new release from Flangeway delivers a missing link from the departmental fleet – the ‘Salmon’ 62ft rail carrier. MIKE WILD explains their purpose and inspects this new arrival.
Legacy Power-Points
New from DCC Concepts’ sister company, Legacy Models, are Legacy PowerPoints. Similar in appearance to the parent company’s original baseboard alignment dowels (HM128), these clever PowerPoint examples incorporate electrical connections.
Brimal universal connections aid wiring
Brimal Components has added a useful universal wire termination board to its range of electrical components and modelling aids.
Pacific Models ‘Mogul’ numbers
Extending its range of customisation sheets for ready-to-run models, Pacific Models has issued a set of replacement 4mm scale cabside and smokebox numberplates for Dapol’s recently introduced ‘OO’ gauge GWR ‘43XX’ 2-6-0s.
HobbyTrax magnetic corner clamps
HobbyTrax has added magnetic corner clamps to its range of modelling tools. These 3D printed clamps are ideal for building models of all shapes and sizes from a range of materials.
Deluxe Materials carbon fibre
Deluxe Materials’ extensive range of adhesives and modelling materials includes these useful packs of carbon fibre mat and carbon fibre tissue.
Supercast Stephenson
Mike Pett’s 4mm scale Supercast range of white metal accessories is bolstered with a new statue of Victorian railway engineer Robert Stephenson and a standalone church priest figure.
Railways of Oxford book review
Oxford's rail scene has undergone significant transformation in recent years with the introduction of a new route to London Marylebone together with new Intercity Express Trains on London Paddington services as well as infrastructure and signal upgrades.
Impermanent Ways - Volume 15
Continuing the Impermanent Ways series of books is this latest volume taking a somewhat broader approach to the usual focus on disused lines and stations of yesteryear in specific areas.
Western Class Locomotives - A Tribute
This latest picture volume from Key Books offers a lasting tribute to BR’s much-loved Type 4 ‘Western’ C-C diesel-hydraulics.
The Hoppers - Limestone Traffic
Limestone traffic from Tunstead Quarry in Derbyshire has long been carried by rail and this latest picture volume from Amberley Publishing charts its history.
Scotland's Railways in the 1980s and 1990s
Amongst the latest releases from Pen and Sword is this look back at Scotland’s Railways during the 1980s and 1990s through the camera lens of Peter J. Green.
Peter Gray's West Country Railway
New from Crecy Publishing is this splendid volume featuring the outstanding colour photographic collection amassed by the late Peter Gray, which is now in the care of the Great Western Trust at Didcot.
STANIER SOUNDS
The ‘8F’ 2-8-0 has a purposeful and exhilarating bark which Locoman Sounds has replicated on the Doehler & Haass decoder suite. In this step by step guide, MIKE WILD upgrades Hornby’s Stanier ‘8F’ with sound, stay alive and firebox flicker using a D&H 8-pin chip.
Thanecroft Junction
DAVID WHITE set out to capture some of the magic and mystique of Ireland’s railways in 4mm scale. His marvellous home-based layout is the result, and he describes some of the flavour of the Emerald Isle. Photography, Mike Bisset.