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

IN STOCK NOW: DCC ready Class 40 limited edition

The DCC ready version of Key Publishing's exclusive limited edition model of preserved Class 40 40145 East Lancashire Railway are now in stock and ready for immediate despatch. Read more here.

Accurascale Class 37/0 for OO gauge. Review Premium

Accurascale Scottish 'Car Headlight' Class 37/0s

Accurascale’s latest batch of all-new ‘OO’ gauge Class 37 Co-Co diesels (HM192) have arrived, with the latest releases modelling the early Scottish ‘car headlamp’ style Class 37/0 variants.

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Collett GWR ‘Manors’ on the Cambrian

Designed as a lightweight equivalent of the ‘Hall’ 4-6-0s, the Great Western’s ‘Manors’ did their best work on the Cambrian lines of mid and north Wales. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES explains why these versatile locomotives were so successful.

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Flying Scotsman gains sound in ‘TT:120’

The famous Gresley ‘A3’ 4-6-2 is now available in ‘TT:120’ scale with Hornby’s new Triplex Sound installed from the factory. MIKE WILD inspects this new arrival.

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Building a ‘OO9’ micro layout – Part one

With a new influx of models in this narrow gauge scale, DAN EVASON shows how you can create a grand scene the size of a pizza.

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BUILDING A LEGEND: The Gresley ‘P2’ 2-8-2

Modern design methods and a brand-new facility are helping to shape construction of Britain’s most powerful steam locomotive in Darlington. MIKE WILD meets with A1 Steam Trust Chairman STEVE DAVIES MBE to find out how the mammoth project to build a brand-new ‘P2’ 2-8-2 is progressing in words, pictures and video.

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Hornby’s all-new LNER 'P2' 2-8-2 debuts

The stunning Gresley ‘P2’ 2-8-2s are the subject of a brand-new model from Hornby. MIKE WILD gets to grips with this enticing new offering highlighting its details and performance.

Hornby Rail Charter Services HST bundle available now!

The Key Model World Shop range has expanded with the addition of an exclusive bundle featuring Hornby’s ‘OO’ gauge Rail Charter Services HST and five trailer coaches as well as Key Publishing’s HSTs Around Britain, 1990 to the Present Day book.

Click here for all the latest model railway news. Click here for the latest model railway features.

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Latest model railway videos

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VIDEO: Building Britain's Most Powerful Steam Locomotive

Darlington Locomotive Works is the stage for construction of a brand new main line certified Gresley 'P2' 2-8-2 by the P2 Steam Locomotive Company and its builders granted Hornby Magazine behind the scenes access. In this feature we present behind the scenes images from our YouTube video shoot, exclusively for subscribers, together with the section of the video about the 2-8-2.

Newpool-on-Trent Feature Premium

Newpool-on-Trent

This multi-station, multilevel layout is ‘locked up’ in the former Police Station adjoining GRAHAM TAYLOR’S home. Discover how this enticing and busy ‘OO’ gauge steam era layout was built. Photography, Mike Wild.

HM161 Bachmann 2-HAP Review Premium

Bachmann releases 2-HAP EMU

Southern Region electric modellers will soon be able to expand their BR era unit fleet with the arrival of Bachmann’s all-new model of the Class 414 2-HAP two-car units. MIKE WILD inspects this new arrival for third-rail electric layouts in ‘OO’ gauge.

Cavalex BBA Review Premium

Cavalex BBA bogie steel wagon

Cavalex Models has delivered its second ‘OO’ gauge wagon project with the arrival of the BBA 75tonne bogie steel wagons. More than 500 of these 50ft long bogie steel-carrying wagons were built between 1973 and 1981.

VIDEO: Bachmann Class 40 with factory sound

Bachmann's latest Class 40 with factory sound has joined the fleet for Topley Dale. We showcase the ESU sound decoder created for the model in this video feature.

FIRST LOOK: Accurascale KUAs in colour

Accurascale has received decorated samples of its new 'OO' gauge ready-to-run model of the KUA nuclear flask wagons and kindly loaned them to Hornby Magazine for us to give you a closer look. Join Mike Wild in the Hornby Magazine workshop for our latest video to find out more about these impressively detailed wagons.

VIDEO: The Hornby Magazine Show | September 2020

Join Hornby Magazine's Mike Wild, Mark Chivers and Richard Watson as they bring us a Hornby Centenary Special. Richard visits Hornby's Margate offices, Mike brings you up to date with the latest news and we profile Railmen of Kent's superb Great Model Railway Challenge layouts from 2019. Watch it here!

VIDEO: Dapol 'O' gauge Stroudley coaches in detail

Dapol's latest video goes into detail showcasing its first engineering samples of the Stroudley 'O' gauge carriages. Join Neil from Dapol here to find out more.

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


 

Latest model railway reviews

Dapol GWR '5101' 2-6-2T review Review Premium

Dapol delivers its ‘Large Prairie’

The Great Western is in favour at Dapol for ‘OO’ gauge with the arrival of its hotly anticipated Collett ‘5101’ and ‘61XX’ 2-6-2Ts. Mike Wild runs the rule over these enticing locomotives. Now including model demonstration video.

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Hornby's Gresley 'W1' 4-6-4

It’s here! Hornby’s brand-new model of the unique Gresley ‘W1’ 4-6-4 in original condition arrived in December, and is already in short supply. MIKE WILD inspects one of the most eagerly anticipated models from Hornby for 'OO' gauge. Read our full review and watch our video showcasing the model in action on Topley Dale.

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Tara Mines ore wagons

Irish Railway Models has taken delivery of a perfect partner to its recently released Metro-Vick A Class diesels –a new batch of Tara Mines bogie ore wagons for ‘OO’. MIKE WILD checks them out.

Westhill Wagon Works Elite magnetic couplings Review Premium

Elite buckeye magnetic couplings

WEST HILL WAGON Works continues to expand its range of magnetic Hunt Couplings which now also includes a collection of ‘dummy’ buckeye style Elite couplings.

Scale Model Scenery laser-cut rowing boats Review Premium

Laser-cut rowing boats

If you are looking to complete a lake or river scene, these 4mm scale laser cut wooden rowing boats from Scale Model Scenery will certainly look the part.

Oxford Diecast Jaguar I Pace Review Premium

Oxford Diecast Jaguar I Pace

A recent addition to the Oxford Diecast range is this 1:76 scale Jaguar Land Rover I Pace batteryelectric SUV.

Modelu 3D-printed rail staff Review Premium

3D-printed rail staff

New from Modelu are these 3D-printed railway staff, including signalmen and guards in a selection of poses.

Pacific Models bespoke station signs Review Premium

Bespoke station signs

Pacific Models has broadened its bespoke station signage service to incorporate 2mm, 3mm and 7mm scales in addition to its existing 4mm service, with your choice of name and railway company/ region, including modern era examples.

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