Model Railways

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Featuring Hornby Magazine 

Read the full Hornby Magazine issue in PDF format or dip into our reformatted online features for KeyModelWorld at your leisure. 

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Latest news and features from model railway on Key Model World

Bachmann reveals new ‘Palvan’ for ‘OO’

Bachmann has revealed it is developing a selection of newly-tooled ‘OO’ gauge BR 12ton ‘Palvan’ pallet vans.

New ‘N’ gauge anchor-mounted tanks for Graham Farish

Bachmann has unveiled a series of all-new ‘N’ gauge anchor-mounted tank wagons for its Graham Farish range.

SERIES 8: Digital Sound - installing Hornby TXS chips

In part two of our Digital Sound video series we start our trilogy of sound installation features by working with the new Hornby Bluetooth Triplex Sound chips. In this video we show how to add an 8-pin chip to a Hornby Class 60, a 21-pin chip to the LMS 'Turbomotive' and a Next18 chip to a TT:120 scale 'A4' 4-6-2 taking you through every step of the journey. Watch today with a FREE member account exclusively on Key Model World.

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FOLLY LANE

This 1990s Southern Region layout was acquired last year by members of Beckenham and West Wickham Model Railway Club. GREG MARSHALL explains how this fascinating ‘OO’ gauge layout brings the Britpop era back to life.

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Class 104 Conversion

In a classic piece of hands-on modelling, TIM SHACKLETON takes a brutal-looking selection of saws, files and knives to an elderly Hornby model. In the first part, he tackles the chassis.

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Branch Line Album

Recalling fond childhood memories, PAUL A. LUNN shows how Clayton West can be modelled at home in ‘OO’ gauge.

Kernow Model Rail Centre GWR Steam Railmotor. Review Premium

Kernow GWR Steam Railmotor

A decade after its announcement, BEN CHURCH reviews this distinctive GWR train and asks whether the wait has been worthwhile.

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GWR Steam Railmotor

Railways have always faced the problem of how to work their most lightly used routes cheaply. One solution that found much favour in Victorian times was the steam railmotor, as EVAN GREEN-HUGHES explains.

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Latest model railway videos

Heljan O gauge Class 55 Deltic. Review Premium

Heljan updates its O gauge Deltic

The legendary English Electric ‘Deltics’ are back for ‘O’ gauge with Heljan, featuring new tooling and an upgraded chassis. MIKE WILD takes a closer look at 55002 in BR two-tone green.

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KINLOCHEWE

Based on a projected but never built railway in the Highlands of Scotland, NICK SKELTON captures the atmosphere and essence of the 1980s in ‘OO’. Watch our trailer video below and sign in or sign-up to read the full feature and watch the entire exclusive video.

Hornby Tyne Dock BR 9F 2-10-0 Review Premium

Tyne Dock ‘9F’ for ‘OO’ gauge

Hornby’s latest batch of ‘OO’ gauge BR ‘9F’ 2-10-0s includes one of the famed batch of Tyne Dock allocated locomotives. MIKE WILD inspects this new arrival.

Hornby TT:120 scale Gresley A4 4468 Mallard with TXS sound Review Premium

Mallard arrives with sound for ‘TT:120’

The most famous Gresley ‘A4’ 4-6-2 is now available in ‘TT:120’ scale with factory fitted sound following the arrival of world speed record holder 4468 Mallard in LNER garter blue with valances.

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Halifax and the Calder Valley in the LMS era

PHILIP WADDINGTON drew inspiration from West Yorkshire to recreate a pre-Grouping slice of nostalgia in ‘OO’ gauge, focused on the famous Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway.

Heljan Class 45 ZIMO sound installation guide for OO gauge. Feature Premium

Earth moving sound for the Heljan ‘Peak’

First released a year ago, Heljan’s new ‘OO’ Class 45 can be upgraded to feature a powerful Earth Mover speaker with digital sound. MIKE WILD explains how.

VIDEO: Building a TT:120 Model Railway Part Four | Detailing

In the fourth and final part of our brand-new Building a TT:120 Model Railway we focus on adding detail to the layout including figures, fencing, bushes, track weathering and more. Part four is available exclusively to Key Model World Subscribers. Watch the trailer below and sign up to watch the full series.

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New Dalby - Research Division

Network Rail’s Leicestershire-based test track inspired ANDREW PORTER to capture the spirit of innovation in his fabulous ‘N’ gauge layout. Watch our video trailer below and sign up or sign in to watch the full layout tour video.

Click here to watch our full collection of model railway videos.


 

Latest model railway reviews

Cavalex Models OO gauge Class 56 model review. Review Premium

FIRST REVIEW: Cavalex Models Class 56 for OO gauge

Cavalex Models’ debut powered model arrived at the end of January. MIKE WILD takes an exclusive look at the first production versions of this highly-anticipated ‘OO’ gauge locomotive.

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DCC Power Bus Terminator

A further addition to the Hobby Trax range of electronic components is this pack of Digital Command Control (DCC) ‘Spike Buster’ terminators.

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Beattie Well Tank Crew

MODELU has further expanded its range of engine crew designed for specific classes with this new pack for the diminutive LSWR ’0298’2-4-0WT in ‘OO’ gauge.

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Carriage Siding Platform Kit

New from West Hill Wagon Works is this ‘OO' gauge carriage siding platform kit.

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Rusty Rails Forklift

This handy 4mm scale forklift truck from Rusty Rails is a recent addition to the company’s line-up of 3D-printed modelling items.

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‘TT:120’ Tracksettas

Tracksetta templates are one of the most useful tools for modellers using flexible track, and these handy tools are now available for modellers in ‘TT:120’ scale.

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Eighties Rail Scene

Amberley Publishing’s extensive range of titles is bolstered with this look into the past of Britain’s railways in the 1980s. This superb collection of archive photographs provides a window into the near past in the twilight of British Railway’s Corporate Blue era before sectorisation and later privatisation.

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Class 57s in detail

A recent addition from Key Publishing is this colourful look at the Class 57 Co-Co diesels, examining the life and work of the entire class of 33 throughout their service.

Click here to read our full collection of model railway product reviews.