WELCOME TO HM174 | DECEMBER 2021
The December 2021 issue of Hornby Magazine (HM174) 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.
HM174, December 2021
VIDEO: Return of the ‘Clan’
Join Mike Wild and Richard Watson as they look over Hornby's latest release, the BR 'Clan' 4-6-2 Standard 6MT.
BRUNEL’S ‘BILLIARD TABLE’
Designed for speeds higher than ever envisaged by the Victorias, the Great Western Main Line from London Paddington to Bristol via Reading and Swindon has been continually updated since its construction. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES relates how this carefully engineered railway has gone from a broad gauge steam operated line to one which features state-of-the-art Hitachi Class 800 bi-mode trains.
Reading to Paddington
The Great Western Main Line from Reading to Twyford and beyond is the setting for this astounding ‘OO’ gauge model railway built by John Southern. ANDREW KEAST reveals its story and how this layout came to be. Photography, Mike Wild.
Return of the ‘Clan’
Hornby’s BR ‘Clan’ 4-6-2 has been out of production for almost 10 years, but now it is back. MIKE WILD reviews one of two new arrivals for this autumn.
Digital Voyager
Bachmann’s ‘OO’ gauge models of the Class 220 and 221 Voyager units pre-date the inclusion of decoder interfaces, but with the right parts they can be upgraded to digital sound and lighting. MIKE WILD shows how.
The first gas turbine
Designers have been down many blind alleys in the pursuit of greater power, speed and efficiency. The Great Western Railway’s efforts to apply the gas turbine to rail were amongst them. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES describes the ups and downs of 18000, the first locomotive that resulted from this experiment.
RAILS GAS TURBINE PIONEER
The British gas turbine locomotives have proved popular subjects in recent years. MIKE WILD inspects Rails of Sheffield’s latest exclusive ‘OO’ gauge model of Swiss built 18000 – Britain’s first gas turbine railway locomotive.
VIDEO: Accurascale 21ton minerals
Accurascale's all-new BR 21ton mineral coal wagons have arrived. Join Mike Wild and Richard Watson as they put these new additions through their paces around the office test track layout Topley Dale.
Coil A steel wagons
Accurascale’s new 21ft 6in wagon chassis has been put to good use with the arrival of the first ready-to-run model of the Coil A steel wagons. MIKE WILD reviews this new release and explains what they are.
Accurascale 21ton minerals
The latest coal wagons to arrive in Accurascale’s ‘Powering Britain’ collection are these richly detailed BR 21ton mineral wagons. MIKE WILD takes a closer look.
Down at the farm
Farms make an ideal corner filler for a model railway. DAN EVASON uses new laser cut kits from War World Scenics to create a realistic scene for a ‘OO’ layout.
Print your own wagon
The digital age has made the possibility of printing a wagon kit at home a reality with the right equipment. TIM SHACKLETON explores high-tech ways of expanding your rolling-stock fleet.
Locomotion Models ‘Improved Precedent’
The National Collection in Miniature just got bigger with the arrival of the exclusive Bachmann-made model of LNWR ‘Improved Precedent’ 2-4-0 790 Hardwicke. MIKE WILD runs the rule over this historic steam locomotive.
Tunnel Lane
This compact ‘OO’ gauge layout was DAN EVASON’S launch back into the model railway hobby following a chance purchase of Hornby Magazine and a visit to the Warley Show. Dan reveals the story behind Tunnel Lane. Photography, Mike Wild.
Rocket and the Flackwell Trials
Hornby’s all-new model of Rocket was a stunning and award winning addition to its range in 2020. TREVOR JONES saw simple ways to enhance this tiny model ’s haulage capacity and appearance.
Britain’s Biggest Model Railway goes public
Britain’s Biggest Model Railway is making its first public appearance at a fortnight long exhibition in Wakefield this December. Open daily from 10am-4.30pm from December 4-19 it will be the first opportunity to see the huge 180ft long ‘O’ gauge layout away from its workshop.
VIDEO: Bachmann sound-fitted deluxe Class 47 demonstration
Bachmann's all-new 'OO' gauge Class 47 is arriving in the shops this autumn including a new feature laden sound-fitted deluxe version of each livery. Mike Wild and Richard Watson put the deluxe version through its paces with this comprehensive sound demonstration video.
Hornby Magazine December 2021
Welcome to the latest issue of Hornby Magazine - HM174, December 2021. Highlights of this issue include an exclusive feature on a stunning and huge model of Reading to Twyford in 'OO' gauge featuring 160ft of scenery, comprehensive reviews of gas turbine 18000 from Rails of Sheffield, Bachmann's new Class 47, Locomotion's 'Improved Precedent' 2-4-0 and new Accurascale wagons for 'OO' as well as Heljan's new 'O' gauge Class 47 and more. Read the full magazine in PDF format here and check out our latest video content in the Video Features section from Thursday November 4.
Bachmann’s all-new Class 47 for 'OO'
Following Bachmann’s surprise announcement in early August (HM172) that it had been working on an all-new ‘OO’ gauge BR Class 47 diesel, the wait is over and the first of the newly-tooled models are here. MARK CHIVERS looks over this latest generation model of the class for ‘OO’.
Heljan's all-new Brush Type 4 for 'O'
The Class 47 is a hot topic for new releases this month with Heljan set to deliver its all-new multi-era model of the Brush Type 4 in November. MIKE WILD gets up close and personal with this new arrival for ‘O’ gauge.
Rapido Train UK Fleetline and Guy Arab buses
Rapido Trains UK has released a brand-new model of the Birmingham based Fleetline as well as a new batch of its popular ‘New Look’ Guy Arab half-cabs for ‘OO’ gauge. MIKE WILD unleashes his bus knowledge on these new arrivals.
Hornby's MSC ‘66’
Hornby has released a new batch of colourful Class 66s for ‘OO’ gauge using its long-standing ex-Lima tooling including a selection of uniquely coloured GB Railfreight locomotives plus DB Cargo, Bardon Aggregates and Colas Rail Freight ‘Sheds’.
More BR Mk 1 BCKs from Hornby
Hornby’s ever-expanding ‘OO’ gauge BR Mk 1 range receives a boost with the arrival of this latest pair of BR Mk 1 Corridor Brake Composites (BCKs) which follow on from the first pair reviewed in HM171.
Accessory review: Westhill 3D printed scrap cabs
West Hill Wagon Works’ growing range of 3D printed detailing parts and accessories is bolstered with a series of redundant diesel locomotive parts. Our review samples included two packs containing detailed scrap BR ‘Peak’ cabs and a pack of scrap BR Class 08/09/13 radiator housings
Acccessory review: Westhill 3D printed seat pods
New from West Hill Wagon Works are these distinctive 4mm scale 3D-printed British Rail circular station seat pods which are reminiscent of the type of stark bright red seating units installed at some stations in the 1970s and 1980s
Accessory review: Footplate Masterpieces
Master Piece has added a selection of new 4mm scale footplate crew for Dapol’s ‘OO’ gauge Great Western Railway (GWR) ‘Mogul’ and the recently-released Dapol/Locomotion Models/Rails of Sheffield ‘OO’ gauge South Eastern and Chatham Railway (SECR) ‘D’ 4-4-0.
Accessory review: Model Scene foliage
Model Scene’s range of scenic detailing includes an extensive selection of leaves and foliage in various scales including these 1:32 maple leaves and 1:87 bracken ferns.
Accessory review: Seated railcar passengers
Following the recent arrival of Heljan’s ‘OO’ gauge GWR AEC Railcar (HM171), Modelu has introduced two new packs of seated 4mm scale figures designed specifically for these models.
Book review: Devon's Railways
With significant investment and recent improvements to the rail network in Devon, this timely release from Key Books reflects the diverse nature of passenger and freight operations on lines to the North and East of the county since the 1980s.