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

Accurascale adds Construction sector limited edition ‘shed’

Accurascale has added a further exclusive limited edition ‘OO’ gauge Class 66 diesel to its second batch of models set for release in early 2025.

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Hornby Magazine October 2024

October 2024 issue of Hornby Magazine in page-turning format poses the question 'Can you REALLY build a model railway for £500?'. Mike Wild demonstrates how.

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Modelu GWR Railmotor figures

Expanding upon its range of 3D printed figures, Modelu has recently released a pack of five seated figures suitable for use with Kernow Model Rail Centre’s recent ‘OO’ gauge steam Railmotor (HM202).

UPDATED TIMETABLE: Final preparations take place for the GBRf Gala Weekend

UPDATED TIMETABLE ONLINE NOW: GB Railfreight and the Nene Valley Railway are making final preparations for a charity gala weekend on 7-8 September, supported by Modern Railways and our sister title Hornby Magazine - and the latest timetable is now available online to plan your visit.

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Peco Tan-y-Bwlch station building

Joining the line-up of laser-cut-kits from Peco is a model of Tan-y-Bwlch station building and double-arm semaphore signal on the Ffestiniog Railway.

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Mini Roller

From Mini Roller comes this useful painting aid for your collection of modelling essentials.

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RAILWAY REALISM: BR’s visionary XP64 coaches

British Railways sought a radical reinvention of long-distance trains in the 1960s – and the famous XP64 coaches set a template that still resonates today, as EVAN GREEN-HUGHES explains.

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Staple & Ash - the East Kent Railway in 'OO'

Relive the relaxed pace of a rural light railway in the 1930s with Jez Laming’s stunning recreation of this real station in ‘OO’ gauge. NOEL YOUNG explains its evergreen appeal and how it was built.

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Latest model railway videos

Bachmann new tooling announcement

Bachmann Europe is revealed a brand-new tooling on June 15. Join us for the video launch here and look out for the full news story here.

Bachmann all-new Class 25 for OO gauge Review Premium

FIRST REVIEW: Bachmann’s all-new Class 25

The BR Sulzer Class 25 is a must-have locomotive for 1960s-1980s modellers and a new choice is arriving for ‘OO’ gauge with Bachmann. MIKE WILD inspects the all-new ‘Rat’ to assess its qualities.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Accurascale's new Class 60

EXCLUSIVE EARLY ACCESS FOR KEY MODEL WORLD SUBSCRIBERS! Be the first to watch our exclusive interview with Accurascale Project Manager Steve Purves about the new 'OO' gauge Class 60.

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Heljan’s cutaway ‘O’ gauge ‘tractors’

The ever-popular Type 3s are now available in split headcode form with cutaway buffer beams for 'O' gauge. BEN CHURCH sees if its performance matches its looks.

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Hornby’s Steam Generator ‘P2’

Sound and smoke are now factory fitted with the arrival of Hornby’s steam generator Gresley ‘P2’ 2-8-2 2007 Prince of Wales. MIKE WILD takes this enticing new release for a spin and operation its capability in words, pictures and video.

VIDEO: Cavalex reveals decorated Class 60s

Cavalex Models has received decorated samples of its forthcoming newly-tooled ‘OO’ gauge BR Class 60 diesel for evaluation. See the images and watch our latest video with Cav and Alex featuring the Class 60 samples in action.

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Installing Locoman’s BR ‘5MT’ sound

The powerful sounds of the BR ‘5MT’ 4-6-0 are now available from Locoman Sounds on the ESU decoder family. MIKE WILD upgrades an older Bachmann 8-pin model to show how it can be done.

Hornby all-new OO gauge Stanier Black Five 4-6-0 Review Premium

Hornby’s all-new Stanier ‘Black Five’

The Stanier ‘Black Five’ was one of the biggest locomotive classes of the steam era and Hornby has turned fresh attention to this must-have mixed traffic 4-6-0. MIKE WILD pays close attention to this new arrival.

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Latest model railway reviews

Hornby Stanier Duchess for TT:120 scale Review Freemium

Hornby’s ‘TT:120’ scale ‘Duchess’ lands

Stanier’s ‘Princess Coronation’ 4-6-2s were giants of the steam age and the pinnacle of express passenger motive power for the London Midland & Scottish Railway (LMS). But does Hornby’s new ‘TT:120’ model match the raw power and elegance of the prototype? BEN CHURCH inspects this all-new arrival.

Hornby Caprotti Black Five for OO gauge. Review Premium

Caprotti ‘Black Five’ debut

For the first time modellers can add a ready-to-run Caprotti ‘Black Five’ to their collection with the arrival of the all-new Hornby model. BEN CHURCH finds out how good it is.

Hornby TT:120 scale Class 50 Review Premium

FIRST REVIEW: Hornby’s ‘TT:120’ Class 50

Hornby has ‘Hoovered’ up the ever-popular English Electric Class 50 for ‘TT:120’. MIKE WILD inspects this main line diesel locomotive for the growing scale.

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West Hill Wagon Works Lamps

Adding those finishing touches can really make a difference to a model and these new 4mm scale 3D-printed London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) and British Railways (BR) lamps from West Hill Wagon Works (WHWW) will do just that.

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Scale Model Scenery Greenhouse

Scale Model Scenery’s (SMS) range of 4mm scale laser-cut kits and detailing accessories is bolstered with this delightful new greenhouse.

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Graham Farish ‘Dance Hall’ Brake Van

New from Bachmann’s Graham Farish range is this South Eastern and Chatham Railway (SECR) ‘Dance Hall’ brake van for ‘N’ gauge.

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Exclusive Rapido Five-Plank Open Wagon

B & H Models of Lincoln has taken delivery of a specially commissioned ‘OO’ gauge RCH private owner wagon by Rapido Trains UK, modelling a five-plank wagon carrying the livery of W. Grocock wagon agents, based in Gainsborough.

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Laser-cut semi-detached house fronts

Building upon previous laser-cut kits from Peco, this new 4mm scale semi-detached house kit provides an easy and simple way to add some highly detailed houses to your layout or diorama.

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