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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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BR Blue and Grey Mk 3 Trailers

New from Hornby are further examples of its all-new ‘TT:120’ scale BR Mk 3 carriages (HM203), which are now available in BR’s classic blue and grey colour scheme from the Key Model World Shop.

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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.

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Making the Making Tracks World Record

On April 27 2024 Pete Waterman and the Railnuts became official Guinness World Records holders for Making Tracks: The Final Frontier as the world's Largest Portable Model Railway. MIKE WILD reveals how it all came together.

Accurascale reveals all-new ‘OO’ Class 60

Accurascale has announced an all-new model of the Class 60 Co-Co heavy freight diesel locomotive for ‘OO’ gauge.

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Stanton Midland in O gauge

This ‘O’ gauge layout has evolved over the years, recreating British Railways London Midland Region operations in the 1950s and ‘60s, as WILLIAM THOMAS explains.Photography, Trevor Jones

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‘King’ for a day

TIM SHACKLETON pitches a classic locomotive from the early noughties against its present-day equivalent, using simple detailing techniques to bring the older model more into line with current expectations.

WIN! Hornby’s ‘Big Four Collection’ comprising four ‘OO’ gauge steam locomotives, worth £845.

Hornby Magazine is offering the chance to win four superb Hornby ‘OO’ gauge steam locomotives from the ‘Big Four Collection’, worth £845. The closing date for entries is 5pm GMT on July 25 2024.

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Latest model railway videos

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FIRST REVIEW: Heljan’s ‘O’ gauge Class 73

For the second month in a row, Heljan has delivered a brand-new ‘O’ gauge ready-to-run locomotive, and this striking model of the Southern Region Class 73 electro-diesel could be its best yet. MIKE WILD explains why with video of a sample running on Britain's Biggest Model Railway.

Rapido Trains UK Lion for OO gauge Review Premium

Rapido’s Lion

In our first look at Rapido’s all-new model of Liverpool and Manchester Railway 0-4-2 Lion, MIKE WILD discovers what it has to offer.

Making Tracks: The Grand Challenge

Pete Waterman and the Railnuts are making final preparations to put all three Making Tracks layouts together for the first time at the 2023 Great Electric Train Show. We visited the Making Tracks Workshop to catch up with the latest progress with Pete and the team with exclusive video.

VIDEO: Cavalex Models Class 56 and wagon projects update

Cavalex Models visited the Key Model World Workshop to showcase the latest version of the sound file for its all-new 'OO' gauge Class 56 together with decorated samples of its PHA and JHA bogie wagons. Join us for exclusive video and sign up to read our full feature.

Sonic Models GCR 'A5' 4-6-2T with ZIMO sound from Digitrains. Feature Premium

Upgrading Sonic Models GCR ‘A5’ 4-6-2T

Sonic Models’ GCR ‘A5’ 4-6-2T has been designed for simple sound installation, but with simple upgrades it can be enhanced further. MIKE WILD shows how.

White Meadow Quarry in 'N' gauge. Feature Premium

White Meadow Quarry 'N' gauge layout

Childhood memories from the Croydon area inspired RAY TAYLOR and ANNA BASS to build White Meadow Quarry. This busy 'N' gauge layout combines main line and industrial railways in an unusual setting. Discover its story in word, pictures and video.

Accurascale Manor for OO gauge Review Premium

Accurascale ‘Manor’ Debut

The GWR ‘Manor’ 4-6-0 is the first ready-to-run steam locomotive to be produced by Accurascale. MIKE WILD inspects a DCC ready and DCC sound fitted version to find out what is in store.

Revolution Trains SR Inspection Saloon Caroline for OO gauge. Review Premium

Revolution’s SR Inspection Saloon

The unique lines of the Southern Region General Manager’s Inspection Saloon have been recreated in ‘OO’ gauge by Revolution Trains. MIKE WILD takes a closer look at this highly-detailed coach.

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Latest model railway reviews

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Bachmann Collectors Club Ivatt ‘2MT’ 2-6-0

Amongst the recent additions to the Bachmann Collectors Club range of exclusive limited edition models is this ‘N’ gauge LMS Ivatt ‘2MT’ in BR lined maroon. MARK CHIVERS assesses it.

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Revolution Trains PCA

Revolution Trains’ newly-tooled ‘OO’ gauge PCA alumina tank wagons have arrived, offering a new option for modern era modellers. BEN CHURCH takes a closer look at these distinctive new vehicles.

Accurascale Class 66 first review Review Premium

Accurascale’s Class 66 Revival

The Class 66 is a locomotive virtually no modern layout can be without. Accurascale has taken on and re-worked the Hattons Originals product for ‘OO’ gauge – MIKE WILD takes an exclusive look at the first production samples.

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Commonwealth of Australia

In recent months Hornby has released a significant number of Gresley ‘A4’ 4-6-2s,primarily in its Hornby Dublo range as part of the Great Gathering 10th anniversary collection. This new ‘OO’ gauge ‘A4’ arrival is from the main range, but no less exciting as it represents one of the five Commonwealth-named ‘A4s’ in original condition, finished as 4491 Commonwealth of Australia.

Hornby 4-VEP for OO gauge. Review Premium

Revised Hornby 4-VEP arrives

With a preserved example recently raising the profile of these important EMUs, BEN CHURCH assesses Hornby’s latest version of the 4-VEP in ‘OO’.

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‘Big Four’ Fowler ‘4P’

With the first half of Hornby’s ‘Big Four’ collection having already arrived (HM200), commemorating the centenary of the formation of the ‘Big Four’, the latest representative in the quartet of models is now available in the form of the London, Midland & Scottish Railway (LMS) Fowler ‘4P’ 2-6-4T.

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Flangeway updates ‘Salmons’

Following the initial release of its ‘Salmon’ bogie rail carrier wagons in 2022 (HM183), Flangeway Models has released a new contemporary-era version of the popular ‘OO’ gauge vehicles.

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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