Layout features

Featuring
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Welcome to our collection of model railway layout features. Here you will find beautifully detailed model railways in 'OO' gauge, 'N' gauge, 'O' gauge, 'OO9' narrow gauge and more offering a huge variety of build designs and inspirational techniques. Plus our growing collection covers a broad spectrum of different periods in railway history as well as all four corners of the British railway network while many feature exclusive KeyModelWorld only video tours. Indulge and enjoy!

Explore the amazing model railways built by talented individuals and clubs which feature in the pages of Hornby Magazine. This section covers 'OO', 'EM', 'P4', 'N', and 'O' gauge model railways and more in all eras. Plus many now feature exclusive online video content which you can only find here on Key Model World.

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Whiteacres

Originally developed as a transition era layout, Stafford Railway Circle recast this Midlands-set ‘OO’ gauge model railway to the early years of privatisation, as IAN RAE describes. Photography, Trevor Jones.

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Mansion House

The hustle and bustle of South London’s railways in the 1950s is recalled by STEPHEN GRANT in this superb home-based ‘OO’ layout set in the era of Bulleid ‘Pacifics’ and third-rail electric units. Photography, Trevor Jones.

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Lee-on-the-Solent

This wonderful London and South Western Railway era ‘P4’ layout models a real railway on the South Coast which had a short career, as PHIL CHUDLEY explains. Photography, Trevor Jones.

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A Nod To Brent

The area around Brent, South Devon inspired Robin Sweet to create this atmospheric ‘OO’ gauge layout set in the last years of the Great Western Railway. See this superb home-based model railway in full in pictures and video. Photography, Trevor Jones.

HM164 Penmouth and Curzon Street Feature Premium

Penmouth & Curzon Street

Unable to decide on one location, MARK WILSON set out to create an ‘OO’ gauge layout covering London, Birmingham and the South West – to grand effect. Photography, Mike Wild.

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Fence Houses

Drawing on the heavy industry of North Eastern England, IAN FORSYTH created this atmospheric colliery layout in ‘OO’ which showcases a long disappeared railway scene. Photography, Trevor Jones.

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Old Elms Park - The Yard

Having built a stunning ‘O’ gauge roundhouse to display his locomotives, MARK POLLARD created an extension to breathe new life into this BR steam era scene. Photography, Trevor Jones.

The Summit Feature Premium

The Summit

With stunning Pennine scenery, this massive ‘O’ gauge layout rekindles the spectacular Settle and Carlisle in steam days, as BOB ALDERMAN explains. Photography, Trevor Jones.

Ashdan Junction Feature Premium

Ashdan Junction

The West Midlands in the 1970s is the setting for BARRY PLATT’S ‘OO’ gauge digital sound layout – which recaptures the times wonderfully. Read the full story here, originally published in HM121, and watch the video too. Photography, Mike Wild.

HM163 North Cornwall Brewery Feature Premium

North Cornwall Brewery

The brewery trade is the setting for MALCOLM BRIGGS’ superbly modelled brand-new ‘OO’ gauge exhibition layout. Discover its secrets and how this well thought-out project came together. Photography, Mike Wild.

HM163 Lakeside Feature Premium

Lakeside

It has a thorough backstory, but GRAHAM FOULSTON uses his highly detailed ‘OO’ gauge scenic layout as a stage to display a wide range of models, from the ‘Big Four’ to the present day, home and abroad. Photography, Mike Wild.

A 4-CEP EMU has arrived in the bay platform while the main line sees two steam hauled passenger workings pass. In the background the steam shed dominates the scene with its large coaling stage Feature Premium

Whitmoor

Discover the amazing 'N' gauge layout for Astolat MRC as Jim Kemp walks you through the build with lots of great images. Read the full article here.

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Coniston Lake

Taking a beautiful location and giving it a railway, MIKE POWELL set this Lake District scene in the 1960s, with steam firmly in charge. Photography, Mike Wild.

HM162 Oak Road Feature Premium

OAK ROAD

Sweeping curves and scale length HSTs are amongst the highlights of MIKE BUICK’S inspirational ‘OO’ gauge exhibition layout. Here he tells the full story of its creation and explains how it is supporting the Meningitis Now charity. Photography, Richard Watson.

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Parkstone Goods

After hearing about a long-forgotten industrial railway in Poole, COLIN LOCKYER set about recreating some of it in ‘OO’ – with a 1970s twist. Photography, Trevor Jones.