HM187, January 2023

The January 2023 issue of Hornby Magazine (HM187) is available now. 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.

HM187, January 2023

Feature Freemium

West Coast Cement goes East

MIKE WILD

At the Spalding Model Railway Exhibition, the Hornby Magazine team switched the identity of its popular modern day cement works layout to the East Coast Main Line. MIKE WILD explains why and how the change came about.

MIKE WILD
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Modifying the Hornby Grand Suspension bridge

DAN EVASON

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
Chinley Layout Tour Feature Premium

Chinley - the Midland Mainline in 'OO' gauge

Harry Fielding

The Midland Main Line in the 1950s inspired HARRY FIELDING to recreate this famous location in ‘OO’ gauge. Read the full story here and watch our exclusive video tour.

Harry Fielding
NER ES1 Review Premium

Locomotion’s ES1 electric for ‘OO’ gauge

MIKE WILD

The pioneering North Eastern Railway steeple cab electric is the subject of the latest collaboration between Locomotion Models, Rails of Sheffield and Heljan. MIKE WILD takes a detailed look at this new release ahead of its arrival in December.

MIKE WILD
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BEGINNERS GUIDE: Where do I start?

JONATHAN NEWTON

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
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BEGINNERS GUIDE: Choosing a model railway scale

RICHARD HALL

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
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BEGINNERS GUIDE: Developing the grand plan

MARK CHIVERS

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
Model railway construction top tips Feature Premium

BEGINNERS GUIDE: Top tips for a better layout

JONATHAN NEWTON

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
Bachmann Patriot 4-6-0 on Topley Dale. Feature Premium

BEGINNERS GUIDE: Transform your layout

JONATHAN NEWTON

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
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Bron Hebog

DAVID WALLER

Narrow gauge railways aren’t all short-distance affairs with tiny locomotives. DAVID WALLER explains how this delightful Welsh Highland Railway layout was created in ‘OO9’ - complete with its mighty Garrats

DAVID WALLER
Weathering a Diesel Brake Tender in OO gauge. Feature Freemium

Weathering Diesel Brake Tenders in 'OO' gauge

TIM COOPER

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
Review Premium

Hornby’s adds new KFA container wagons for OO gauge

MIKE WILD

New from Hornby is this trio of ‘OO’ gauge KFA container flat wagons which model vehicles built in the late 1980s in Finland for use with Tiphook leasing in the UK.

MIKE WILD
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Hornby's 'OO' gauge containers

MARK CHIVERS

Hornby has released additional packs of ‘OO’ gauge intermodal containers suitable for its KFA container flat wagons and other intermodal vehicles.

MARK CHIVERS
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Accurascale magnetic chain couplings

MARK CHIVERS

Accurascale has added a pack of magnetic chain couplings to its range of ‘OO’ gauge accessories following on from the release of its Chaldron wagons.

MARK CHIVERS
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Hornby Tri-ang Railways Remembered train pack for OO gauge

The first of Hornby’s Tri-ang Railways Remembered limited edition train sets has arrived in the form of ‘The Victorian’ which contains a GWR 4-2-2 and a pair of clerestory roof coaches. Find out more here.

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Scale Model Scenery Mind the Step decals

MARK CHIVERS

New from Scale Model Scenery is this pack of 4mm scale ‘Mind the Step' decals designed for modern-era 4mm scale platforms.

MARK CHIVERS
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Corgi GWR Thornycroft Nippy die-cast lorry

MARK CHIVERS

Corgi has added a new 1:76 scale model of its Thornycroft Nippy flatbed trailer in Great Western Railway (GWR) colours.

MARK CHIVERS
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Llanbourne Junction - North Wales in the 1980s

PETER MANTLE

The North Wales Coast line in the 1980s is the setting for PETER MANTLE’S ‘OO’ gauge layout, which was started in the UK but finished ‘Down Under’ where it is now based.

PETER MANTLE
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Hobbytrax analogue ‘stay-alive’

MARK CHIVERS

Hobbytrax has recently introduced a series of ‘stay-alive’ capacitors designed for ‘OO’ gauge analogue (DC) locomotives. We discover what they have to offer.

MARK CHIVERS
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Corgi releases Ford Transit for OO gauge

MARK CHIVERS

Corgi’s 1:76 scale Trackside range of diecast models is bolstered with this Mk 1 Ford Transit in Express Dairy livery.

MARK CHIVERS
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Cavalex Models HAA MGR hoppers arrive

MARK CHIVERS

The famous HAA hoppers are the subject of Cavalex’s latest release. MARK CHIVERS asseses how they compare to Accurascale’s recent version.

MARK CHIVERS
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Oxford Diecast AEC 690 Concrete Mixer

MARK CHIVERS

New from Oxford Diecast is this 1:76 scale AEC 690 concrete mixer as a follow up to its dumper truck using the same cab and chassis style.

MARK CHIVERS
Bachmann narrow gauge Penrhyn Mainline Hunslet 0-4-0ST Review Premium

Bachmann adds Mainline Hunslet for 'OO9' narrow gauge

MIKE WILD

Revealed in Bachmann’s Winter announcements in November and already available in the shops, MIKE WILD checks out the latest arrival for ‘OO9’ – the Penrhyn Mainline Hunslet 0-4-0ST.

MIKE WILD
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Hornby’s revitalised BR MK3s

MIKE WILD

The British Rail Mk 3 carriage is an essential part of the modern and recent railway scenes. Hornby has gone back to the drawing board to create a new collection of coaching stock, as MIKE WILD explains.

MIKE WILD
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Rapido delivers SECR vans and ballast wagons

MARK CHIVERS

More South Eastern and Chatham Railway wagons have arrived from Rapido. MARK CHIVERS runs the rule over the latest vans and ballast wagons.

MARK CHIVERS
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Accurascale delivers Coalfish for ‘OO’

MARK CHIVERS

Accurascale’s all-new ‘OO’ gauge MHA two-axle ballast/spoil wagons have arrived. MARK CHIVERS takes a closer look at these modern-era wagons.

MARK CHIVERS
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Quarryman’s coaches from Peco

MIKE WILD

The Ffestiniog Railway’s Type 3 Quarryman’s coaches are the basis of a trio of new rolling stock releases from Peco for ‘OO9’ narrow gauge. MIKE WILD inspects the new arrivals.

MIKE WILD
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FIRST REVIEW: It’s here – the Accurascale Class 92

MIKE WILD

The first thing you will say when you open the box to Accurascale’s first ready-to-run electric locomotive is “wow!”. MIKE WILD explains why as he delves into the world of the Brush-built dual-voltage electrics.

MIKE WILD
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Class 92 Electrics

. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES

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

VIDEO: Key Model World TV Show November 2022

Join Mike, Mark and Richard for the return of the Key Model World TV Show as they venture to Pete Waterman's amazing Leamington Spa 'O' gauge layout, bring you up to date with the latest news, review Hornby's new '9F' 2-10-0 for 'OO', take West Coast Cement east and bring you a new product announcement too! Don't miss it.