WELCOME TO HM173 | NOVEMBER 2021
The November 2021 issue of Hornby Magazine (HM173) 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.
Hornby Magazine | November 2021
London Midland Region history
Of all the regions formed after the railways were nationalised in 1948, the London Midland was one of the largest, and most important, and greatly influenced the way that the country’s railways developed, as EVAN GREEN-HUGHES explains.
London Midland Region formations
BR’s London Midland Region covered a large area and generated a great deal of passenger and freight traffic. MARK CHIVERS presents a selection of modellable options from the 1950s and 1960s.
London Midland Region: Inspiration
The London Midland Region offers a huge range of opportunities for modelling, from the scenic northern fells to rural branch lines and fast main lines. Hornby Magazine presents a selection of inspirational images highlighting Midland Region layouts.
Midland Motive Power Survey
BR London Midland Region’s motive power roster incorporated former London Midland and Scottish Railway locomotives, as well as a vast array of BR ‘Standards', plus prototypes, diesels, electrics and Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs).
Scratchbuilt Garage
What do you do if you want a particular building which isn’t available as a kit or ready-made structure? DAN EVASON shows how to build a bespoke garage in ‘OO’ gauge using readily available and cost effective materials.
A Thompson transformation
Cost-cutting can be fun, as TIM SHACKLETON finds when he takes a circular saw to some long-obsolete ‘OO’ gauge coaches. Making big improvements, he suggests, needn’t cost big bucks either.
Modelling preserved steam
With the popularity of heritage railways and main line steam continuing to grow, RICHARD HALL demonstrates how to recreate this often-overlooked modelling subject, by modifying and detailing a Hornby ‘B1’ into a preserved example.
Land Rover Defender 110X
Oxford Diecast’s range of 1:76 scale vehicles spans many decades and continues to reflect the latest car launches, including this new arrival – the Land Rover Defender 110X.
SMS LNER Lineside Store
Recently added to the Scale Model Scenery laser-cut range of kits is this 4mm scale London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) lineside store.
Modelu Wickham Crew
Modelu’s impressive collection of 3D-printed figures and detailing accessories is bolstered with this new pack containing a 1:76 scale permanent way crew for use with Bachmann’s ‘OO’ gauge Wickham trolley.
PowerHaul upgrades
SOUND DEMONSTRATION VIDEO NOW AVAILABLE The Freightliner and Colas Rail Freight operated Class 70 diesel locomotives are amongst the most advanced on the British network. MIKE WILD shows how a ZIMO decoder can be installed into the Bachmann ‘OO’ gauge model along with DCC Concepts and Rail Exclusive products for a full suite of sound.
BR Steam Locomotives: Complete Allocations History 1948-1968
New from Crecy is this revised reference work packed with the complete allocation history of British Railways’ steam locomotives from Nationalisation until 1968.
Railways of Central Scotland: 2016-2020
This recent picture volume from Key Books focuses on the changing rail scene in Central Scotland during a recent five-year period.
Wales and Western Region Railways
The recent volume from Amberley Books takes us on a photo journey to selected spots on BR’s Western Region operating area in the 1950s and 1960s – beginning in London, with a sprint along the main line to Oxford, Gloucestershire and Devon. Further jaunts follow the route through High Wycombe to Birmingham, Shrewsbury and beyond, with coverage of routes in mid and south west Wales too.
Swindon: The Complete Works
This new hefty volume is an enlarged reworking of the author’s two previous books on Swindon Works and now covers the impact of the transition from steam to diesel, the carriage and wagon works, as well as the operation of the stores department. A few myths have also been addressed.
Sonic debuts Collett ‘56XX’
Newcomer to the ready-to-run market Sonic Models has released its first powered model – the GWR ‘56XX’ 0-6-2T for ‘N’ gauge. MIKE WILD takes a closer look at this new addition which fills an important gap in the ready-to-run roster.
Minerva expands wagon fleet
Steam era goods trains are set for a boost in ‘O’ gauge with the arrival of Minerva Model Railways’ all-new model of the Great Western Railway Wooden Mink four-wheel box van.
Staff Projects: Road and Rail
An impulse purchase saw MIKE WILD pick up a Kibri kit for a road and rail excavator –a simple and clever kit which builds into an appealing model. Read the full Staff Projects feature with extra images here.
Railways of South Wales
In just over 200 years, the South Wales Valleys have gone from being the birthplace of railways, through housing one of the most intense freight systems in the world to becoming the home of a suburban commuter railway system. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES takes a look at this fascinating area, which is bristling with modelling possibilities.
Lockton Lane
After building numerous ‘OO’ and ‘N’ gauge layouts, TIM LOWE took the plunge and moved up to ‘O’ for his latest layout. Lockton Lane is the result and it has been built over the past 18 months in just 10ft 6in x 2ft. Photography, Mike Wild.
Bachmann renews its ‘V2’
The Gresley ‘V2’ has been a longstanding part of the Bachmann range, but it was in need of fresh attention and that is exactly what has happened. MIKE WILD inspects the all-new LNER 2-6-2 for ‘OO’.
VIDEO: Bachmann 'V2' sound demonstration
MIKE WILD and RICHARD WATSON inspect the all-new sound features on the Bachmann 'V2' 2-6-2 for ‘OO’.
Hornby's Dublo ‘Merchant Navy’
Hornby has bolstered its new Hornby Dublo range of locomotives with the arrival of the die-cast metal bodied Bulleid air-smoothed ‘Merchant Navy’ 4-6-2. MARK CHIVERS casts a glance at this delightful new limited edition.
Dapol O&K JHA HOPPERS
Dapol's eagerly-awaited ‘OO’ gauge Orenstein & Koppel (O&K) 102tonne JHA bogie hopper wagons have landed following a protracted journey by sea.
Reality Check: The LNER 'V2' 2-6-2
Locomotives designed primarily for freight work in general do not attract the same interest as those intended for express passenger traffic, but one exception is the handsome ‘V2’ 2-6-2 of the LNER , designed by Sir Nigel Gresley. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES delves into the history of this iconic class to mark the arrival of Bachmann’s all-new ‘OO’ model.
DAPOL ‘BUBBLE’ GOES 'O'
The characterful Class 122 single-car DMU is finally here for 7mm scale. MIKE WILD reviews this new arrival and assesses if it has been worth the wait.
Super-size GBRf ‘Hoovers’
The English Electric Type 4s or Class 50s have long had a loyal following. When Heljan launched its ‘O’ gauge model back in 2019 it swiftly sold out and a second batch was soon in the pipeline.