HM187, January 2023
West Coast Cement goes East
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
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
Chinley - the Midland Mainline in 'OO' gauge
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
Locomotion’s ES1 electric for ‘OO’ gauge
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
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
Bron Hebog
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 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
Hornby’s adds new KFA container wagons for OO gauge
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
Hornby's 'OO' gauge containers
Hornby has released additional packs of ‘OO’ gauge intermodal containers suitable for its KFA container flat wagons and other intermodal vehicles.
MARK CHIVERS
Accurascale magnetic chain couplings
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
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.
Scale Model Scenery Mind the Step decals
New from Scale Model Scenery is this pack of 4mm scale ‘Mind the Step' decals designed for modern-era 4mm scale platforms.
MARK CHIVERS
Corgi GWR Thornycroft Nippy die-cast lorry
Corgi has added a new 1:76 scale model of its Thornycroft Nippy flatbed trailer in Great Western Railway (GWR) colours.
MARK CHIVERS
Llanbourne Junction - North Wales in the 1980s
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
Hobbytrax analogue ‘stay-alive’
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
Corgi releases Ford Transit for OO gauge
Corgi’s 1:76 scale Trackside range of diecast models is bolstered with this Mk 1 Ford Transit in Express Dairy livery.
MARK CHIVERS
Cavalex Models HAA MGR hoppers arrive
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
Oxford Diecast AEC 690 Concrete Mixer
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 adds Mainline Hunslet for 'OO9' narrow gauge
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
Hornby’s revitalised BR MK3s
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
Rapido delivers SECR vans and ballast wagons
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
Accurascale delivers Coalfish for ‘OO’
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
Quarryman’s coaches from Peco
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
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
FIRST REVIEW: It’s here – the Accurascale Class 92
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
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.