London Midland Region
Middle Elmton
Impressed by the quality of modern ‘N’ gauge models, PETER BRACKENBURY recreated the railway scene of the East Midlands for his latest exhibition layout creating a trackplan with subtle differences to the norm.
Pete Waterman’s Leamington Spa
It’s the model railway we all dream we could build if we had the space and time. PETE WATERMAN OBE invited Hornby Magazine behind the scenes to see the latest progress on his amazing ‘O’ gauge model of Leamington Spa, Hatton Bank and Brinklow. Join us for a full tour with exclusive KeyModelWorld only images and a full 30 minute long video tour inside. Photography, Mike Wild.
Bilston Road
Drawing on his memories of the West Midlands, GEOFF READ created this atmospheric ‘OO’ gauge layout set in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Photography, Mike Wild.
British Railways’ War of the diesels
One of British Railways most controversial decisions was to standardise on electric, rather than hydraulic transmission for diesel locomotives. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES looks at the background to this choice and and assesses whether it was correct.
Reality Check: 'Whistler' magic
It is hard to believe that 50 years have passed since the first of British Railways’ large diesel locomotives were introduced. The English Electric Type 4, or Class 40 as it later became, was one of the success stories of the modernisation plan. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES looks back at the design’s history.
Farbine Road
The West Midlands in the 1980s is the setting for NEIL WOODBINE and SUE FARMER’S ‘OO’ gauge layout -which captures the feel of those ‘blue and grey’ years brilliantly. Photography, Trevor Jones.
Britain's Largest Model Railway
Check out Britain's largest model railway, at nearly 200ft x 50ft, the model is based on Heaton Lodge Junction. Find out about its exhibition here.
Heaton Lodge Junction: Full Circle
Britain’s Biggest Model Railway first featured in Hornby Magazine in Spring 2020 when it was only partly built, but now its builder has completed the circuit. Mike Wild pays a return visit to catch up with Simon George’s progress on the outstanding Heaton Lodge Junction in ‘O’ gauge. Photography, Mike Wild.
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.