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

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Creating a Waterfall

For a very different feature on a layout, DAN EVASON shows how to create a stunning waterfall scene in this detailed step by step modelling guide.

NEW SERIES 8: Digital Sound Introduction | Part One

Launching today at 8pm today - March 8 2024 - is our brand-new video series offering an introduction to the world of Digital Sound for model railways. In this new four part series, we will explore what digital sound has to offer and how to install and use decoders from Hornby, ZIMO and ESU.

WIN! A pair of Hornby RailRoad Royal Class 67s diesels, worth £194

Hornby Magazine is offering the chance to win a pair of Hornby RailRoad ‘OO’ gauge Class 67s, worth £194. The closing date for entries is 5pm GMT on April 25 2024.

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The Spirit of Shap in 'OO' gauge

This legendary West Coast Main Line outpost is the subject of GRAHAM NICHOLAS’ stunning ‘OO’ gauge layout. He explains how he recreated it – including its famous banking locomotives.

VIDEO: Accurascale Class 66 production samples

Join us in the Hornby Magazine workshop as we get a visit from Accurascale's Steve Purves and a collection of eight new production samples for the soon to arrive first batch of Class 66s from the manufacturer. In this video we discuss the final changes to the Class 66 model pre-empting our full review in HM202 - on sale from March 7 2024.

Railway Touring Company reveals 2024 line-up

The Railway Touring Company has revealed its line-up of railtours for 2024, together with details of a new subscriber benefit for Hornby Magazine and Key Model World readers. 

‘E1’ exclusive for Brighton Circle

Rapido Trains has revealed that it is planning an exclusive ‘OO’ gauge model of sole surviving London, Brighton & South Coast Railway (LBSCR) ‘E1’ 0-6-0T 110 in Marsh lined black for The Brighton Circle.

NEW ARRIVAL: First Hornby 'TT:120' scale Class 43 HST arrives

Hornby's TT:120 scale collection is expanded with the arrival of the Class 43 HST power cars and Mk 3 carriages in InterCity Swallow livery - all are in stock now on the Key Model World Shop to add to your layout.

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Latest model railway videos

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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.

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.

Heljan NBL prototype 10800 Review Premium

FIRST REVIEW: Heljan’s NBL prototype 10800

Prototype diesels have been a popular subject choice in ‘OO’ gauge over the past decade, but it was hard to imagine the short-lived Ivatt designed Bo-Bo being produced. Heljan’s all-new model is here and MIKE WILD takes a closer look.

St John's layout feature Feature Premium

St John’s - a GWR branch line terminus in 'OO'

PAUL WARDEN opted to 'Go Great Western’ with his first ever layout, recalling summer Saturdays in Glorious Devon in the 1930s and 1960s in ‘OO’ gauge - and you can see it at the 2023 Great Electric Train Show. Read the full feature and watch our exclusive layout tour video here.

Heljan O gauge product progress interview Feature Premium

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Heljan’s ‘O’ gauge product progress

In the second of our new series of manufacturer interviews, MIKE WILD meets Heljan UK Agent BEN JONES to catch up on the latest progress with its new ‘O’ gauge ready-to-run models.

Rails of Sheffield D1 4-4-0 Review Premium

Rails of Sheffield SECR ‘D1’ 4-4-0 for 'OO' gauge

Rails of Sheffield’s latest partnership with Dapol has delivered a first ever ready-to-run model of the SECR ‘D1’ 4-4-0 for ‘OO’. MIKE WILD finds out more about this attractive new Southern Region locomotive.

Dapol B4 0-4-0T for O gauge. Review Premium

Dapol LSWR ’B4’ 0-4-0T for 'O' gauge

Southern Railway 7mm scale modellers are in for a treat with the arrival of the Adams ‘B4’ 0-4-0T from Dapol, but does it tick the right boxes? MIKE WILD finds out as we demonstrate the model in action.

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Lockwood Street - a 2mm finescale terminus

The former Hull and Barnsley Railway terminus at Cannon Street in Hull was the inspiration for the Hull Miniature Railway Society to build this enthralling 2mm finescale railway. PAUL DERRICK explains all.

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Latest model railway reviews

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HRA Bogie Hopper Wagons

Bachmann’s recently announced HRA bogie aggregate hopper wagons have arrived, with newly-tooled models in ‘OO’ and ‘N’ gauge debuting together.

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Hornby ‘Big Four‘ Collection: LNER ‘A1’ 4478 Hermit

Hornby’s ‘Big Four’ Collection commemorates 100 years of these famous railways, with Gresley ‘A1’ 4478 Hermit flying the flag for the London North Eastern Railway (LNER).

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Outstanding ‘OO’ OAA opens from Rapido Trains

Rapido Trains UK’s all-new ‘OO’ gauge BR OAA open wagons touched down in the Hornby Magazine office in early December.

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Heljan’s ‘OO’ gauge Class 57 returns

Heljan’s popular ‘OO’ gauge Class 57 Co-Co diesel returns in a selection of new identities and colour schemes. MARK CHIVERS takes a closer look.

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RailRoad Royal Class 67 67005 from Hornby

DB Cargo’s Class 67 67005 Queen’s Messenger has the distinction of being one of two locomotives designated to pull the Royal Train. Hornby has recreated this prestigious locomotive in its most recent guise as part of its 2023 range.

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Hornby Class 66 – The Green Progressor

Hornby’s latest version of its former Lima Class 66 is GB Railfreight’s unique green 66796 The Green Progressor. The locomotive was painted in its livery and named to reflect its use on High Speed 2 construction trains.

Graham Farish Class 158 DMU. Review Premium

Graham Farish's all-new Class 158

These stylish DMUs are the subject of an all-new ‘N’ gauge model. MARK CHIVERS assesses its execution and running qualities.

Rapido Trains Titfield Thunderbolt train pack Review Premium

Titfield Thunderbolt Deluxe train pack

70 years since the film first debuted, Rapido Trains UK’s eagerly-awaited Titfield Thunderbolt train packs representing the iconic 1953 Ealing comedy have arrived.

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