Model Railways

Issue Cover

Featuring Hornby Magazine 

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

Read latest Issue

Latest news and features from model railway on Key Model World

Feature Premium

Hatherleigh Junction - Western Region Gauge 1

BOB HUNTER

BOB HUNTER opted for Gauge 1 for his fictional North Devon station and the results are a spectacular showcase of what can be achieved in large scales.

BOB HUNTER
TMC LNER G5 0-4-4T for OO gauge. Review Premium

FIRST REVIEW: TMC reveals its LNER ‘G5’

MIKE WILD

The compact design of the North Eastern Railway ‘G5’ 0-4-4T is the subject of TMC’s first exclusive locomotive commission from Bachmann. MIKE WILD takes a detailed look at this exciting new release for ‘OO' gauge which is due to land this summer.

MIKE WILD
Feature Premium

Third-rail Electrification

EVAN GREEN-HUGHES

The south of England’s pioneering third-rail electrified railway system has served the country well for more than a century, and after a long pause could yet be extended. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES looks at the history of this innovative and important system.

EVAN GREEN-HUGHES
Feature Premium

The Italian Job: Upgrading Lima diesel locomotives

TIM SHACKLETON

Lima produced accurate models for the time which can be acquired very cheaply today. TIM SHACKLETON shows how upgrades to detail and chassis can transform their appearance and operation at a fraction of the cost of a brand-new model.

TIM SHACKLETON

Accurascale Class 89 edges closer

MARK CHIVERS

Accurascale and Rails of Sheffield have received decorated samples of their all-new ‘OO’ gauge Class 89 electric locomotives for assessment by the development team.

MARK CHIVERS

More Dapol Class 67s due soon

MARK CHIVERS

Dapol has received decorated samples of its next batch of ‘N’ gauge Class 67 Bo-Bo diesels.

MARK CHIVERS
Review Premium

Hornby Track Lab stores van

MARK CHIVERS

New from Hornby is this British Rail Research Division stores van, finished in the organisation’s distinctive red and light grey colour scheme.

MARK CHIVERS
Review Premium

Hornby 21ton mineral wagon rolls in

MARK CHIVERS

Hornby’s ‘OO’ gauge 21ton all-steel mineral wagon receives a fresh outing in BR grey for its latest release.

MARK CHIVERS

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

Click here for the latest model railway layout features.


 

Latest model railway videos

VIDEO: Class 370 Advanced Passenger Train Tour

Join Hornby Magazine’s Mark Chivers for a tour of the last surviving Class 370 Advanced Passenger Train (APT) at Crewe Heritage Centre to celebrate the arrival of Hornby’s new ‘OO’ gauge model.

Feature Premium

Modelling Bewdley station with 3D printing

Having selected a suitable subject, TRISTRAM NEAL outlines how he used modern printing techniques to create a bespoke station building, based on a well-known Severn Valley Railway prototype at Bewdley in this detailed step by step modelling guide.

Class 66 sound demonstration Feature Premium

Installing ESU sound in the Bachmann Class 66

Bachmann's Class 66 is a simple locomotive to upgrade to digital sound. In this KeyModelWorld exclusive feature MIKE WILD installs an ESU 21-pin decoder with Legomanbiffo's high performance sound together with a powerful speaker and stay alive into the 'OO' gauge model. Read the full guide here and watch our sound demonstration video.

STATFOLD MODEL RAILWAY EVENT 2022 PREVIEW

A brand new two-day model railway exhibition sponsored by Hornby Magazine takes place at the Statfold Narrow Gauge Museum in Staffordshire this April. MARK CHIVERS previews this all-new model railway event.

Review Premium

HORNBY GOES FULL TILT WITH ITS APT

Hornby’s centenary year catalogue came with the enticing prospect of a brand-new model of the famous Class 370 Advanced Passenger Train and now it is here. MIKE WILD leans in to find out more with brand-new video from the Hornby Magazine Workshop.

FIRST LOOK: Accurascale's 'OO' Class 55 'Deltics'

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO! Join Mike Wild and Richard Watson in the Hornby Magazine workshop for a first look at the Accurascale Class 55 'Deltics' for 'OO' gauge in this special preview feature. Watch the full video here and read the latest on this exciting new locomotives.

Feature Premium

Seven Mills Sidings and Bench Road 'O' gauge layout

Originally conceived as a multi-era scene, this busy and compact ‘O’ gauge layout has led an eventful life. ANDY PETERS explains its journey from start to finish. Photography, Mike Wild.

VIDEO: Model Rail Scotland 2022

EXCLUSIVE FIRST ACCESS FOR SUBSCRIBERS: The end of February saw the return of Model Rail Scotland at the SEC in Glasgow. Hornby Magazine’s Mark Chivers and Richard Watson bring you the highlights of the show in this one hour long special video including layouts, manufacturer interviews and more. Don’t miss it!

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


 

Latest model railway reviews

Review Premium

Oxford Diecast AEC 690 Concrete Mixer

MARK CHIVERS

New from Oxford Diecast is this 1:76 scale AEC 690 concrete mixer as a follow up to its dumper truck using the same cab and chassis style.

MARK CHIVERS
Bachmann narrow gauge Penrhyn Mainline Hunslet 0-4-0ST Review Premium

Bachmann adds Mainline Hunslet for 'OO9' narrow gauge

MIKE WILD

Revealed in Bachmann’s Winter announcements in November and already available in the shops, MIKE WILD checks out the latest arrival for ‘OO9’ – the Penrhyn Mainline Hunslet 0-4-0ST.

MIKE WILD
Review Premium

Hornby’s revitalised BR MK3s

MIKE WILD

The British Rail Mk 3 carriage is an essential part of the modern and recent railway scenes. Hornby has gone back to the drawing board to create a new collection of coaching stock, as MIKE WILD explains.

MIKE WILD
Review Premium

Rapido delivers SECR vans and ballast wagons

MARK CHIVERS

More South Eastern and Chatham Railway wagons have arrived from Rapido. MARK CHIVERS runs the rule over the latest vans and ballast wagons.

MARK CHIVERS
Review Premium

Accurascale delivers Coalfish for ‘OO’

MARK CHIVERS

Accurascale’s all-new ‘OO’ gauge MHA two-axle ballast/spoil wagons have arrived. MARK CHIVERS takes a closer look at these modern-era wagons.

MARK CHIVERS
Review Premium

Quarryman’s coaches from Peco

MIKE WILD

The Ffestiniog Railway’s Type 3 Quarryman’s coaches are the basis of a trio of new rolling stock releases from Peco for ‘OO9’ narrow gauge. MIKE WILD inspects the new arrivals.

MIKE WILD
Review Premium

FIRST REVIEW: It’s here – the Accurascale Class 92

MIKE WILD

The first thing you will say when you open the box to Accurascale’s first ready-to-run electric locomotive is “wow!”. MIKE WILD explains why as he delves into the world of the Brush-built dual-voltage electrics.

MIKE WILD
Review Premium

Hornby RailRoad BR Crosti '9F' 2-10-0

MIKE WILD

Hornby introduced the RailRoad Crosti ‘9F’ 2-10-0 in 2015 offering an inspired choice of new freight motive power. MIKE WILD assesses this attractive ‘OO’ gauge offering.

MIKE WILD

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