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Featuring Hornby Magazine 

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Latest news and features from model railway on Key Model World

Installing DCC Concepts Powerbase Feature Premium

How to install DCC Concepts Powerbase on gradients

MIKE WILD

Gradients have always posed a problem to model railway builders. MIKE WILD tackles the subject using DCC Concepts Powerbase equipment to install two gradients on our much modified ‘N’ gauge office test track, with impressive results.

MIKE WILD
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Dentdale - the Settle and Carlisle in 'N' gauge

Wayne Webb, Tony Frazer and Bob Taylor

‘N’ gauge offers the potential for a really expansive layout, and Wayne Webb, Tony Frazer and Bob Taylor have exploited its potential to brilliant effect in their impressive Settle and Carlisle railway layout.

Wayne Webb, Tony Frazer and Bob Taylor
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Bachmann’s ‘64XX’ for 'OO' gauge

MIKE WILD

Is it just another ‘Pannier’ or something totally different? MIKE WILD runs the rule over Bachmann’s ‘OO’ gauge model of the GWR ‘64XX’ 0-6-0PT.

MIKE WILD
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Weathering a GWR '64XX' 0-6-0PT

TIM SHACKLETON

TIM SHACKLETON gives the Bachmann 'OO' gauge ‘64XX’ 0-6-0PT a convincing oily rag finish that recaptures childhood memories.

TIM SHACKLETON
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The GWR ‘64XX’0-6-0PTs

EVAN GREEN-HUGHES

The Great Western stood alone amongst the railways of the British Isles in its widespread use of ‘Pannier’ tank locomotives. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES takes a close look at the ‘64XXs’, and finds out what made this small class different from the rest.

EVAN GREEN-HUGHES
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Devon Junction - a Western Region through station in OO

LES PARRY

Glorious Devon has inspired generations of modellers and LES PARRY is no exception. However, he chose to emulate Exeter St David’s in the basement of his Spanish home.

LES PARRY
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Updating the Hattons KWA Warwell

TIM SHACKLETON

TIM SHACKLETON widens the scope of Hatton’s new KWA Warwell in a bid to bring it into line with 21st century military strategy.

TIM SHACKLETON

Dapol launches all-new ‘OO’ GWR '28XX'/'2884' for 'OO'

MARK CHIVERS

Dapol is to produce an all-new ‘OO’ gauge Great Western Railway (GWR) ‘28XX’/’2884’ 2-8-0.

MARK CHIVERS

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

Hornby Triplex Bluetooth Sound introduction. Review Premium

FIRST LOOK: Hornby launches Bluetooth HM DCC and Triplex Sound

MIKE WILD

The world of digital is about to be turned on its head with the arrival of Hornby’s new HM DCC Bluetooth control system. MIKE WILD gets to grips with this new way to control your trains and assesses its value.

MIKE WILD
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Misselthwaite - the Yorkshire Dales in OO gauge

LEWIS BUCKNELL

To make the most of an inaccessible space in his new home, LEWIS BUCKNELL built a ‘OO’ gauge layout set in the BR steam era in Yorkshire - to evocative effect. Read our full feature here with exclusive Key Model World only video.

LEWIS BUCKNELL

VIDEO: Building a Diesel Depot - PART FOUR

MIKE WILD

Part four of our diesel depot video series is here as we take the layout another step forward with the installation of DCC Concepts ground signals, Layout 4U yard lights and full interior lighting in the main depot buildings to bring the scene to life. Join us for part four today.

MIKE WILD

VIDEO: Building a Diesel depot - PART THREE

MIKE WILD

Part 3 of our Building a Diesel Depot video series is here. In this part we continue by adding the backscenes, building up the ground cover, adding the finer details and introducing the first collection of rolling stock to adorn Natford TMD for its debut at Model Rail Scotland.

MIKE WILD
Making Track 3 March update. Feature Freemium

VIDEO: Making Tracks 3 - March Update

CHRIS CLENTON

Peter Waterman's Making Tracks 3 ambitious project continues to make progress in preparation for its six week display starting at Chester Cathedral this summer. CHRIS CLENTON brings the story up to date with the latest update and exclusive video from the Making Tracks 3 workshop.

CHRIS CLENTON
HM189 Double Fairlie sound demonstration Feature Premium

Installing digital sound in the Bachmann Double Fairlie

JOHN GAY

The stunning Bachmann narrow gauge Double Fairlie has been a catalyst for new ‘OO9’ layout projects. JOHN GAY explains how you can upgrade the model to feature both sound and a stay alive for uninterrupted running.

JOHN GAY
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Hornby’s ‘J36’ 0-6-0 for OO gauge

MIKE WILD

The first batch of Hornby’s highly anticipated LNER ‘J36’ 0-6-0s arrived at the end of December. MIKE WILD gives BR liveried 65311 a once over.

MIKE WILD
Bachmann Quarry Hunslet 0-4-0ST for OO9 gauge Review Premium

Bachmann’s Quarry Hunslet for 'OO9' gauge

MIKE WILD

The tiny and delightful Quarry Hunslet 0-4-0ST is here for ‘OO9’ narrow gauge. MIKE WILD takes a closer look at this diminutive new release.

MIKE WILD

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


 

Latest model railway reviews

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Class 47s – The Jack of All Trades

JONATHAN NEWTON

Mark V. Pike’s latest picture volume provides a highly illustrated portrait of Class 47 diesel locomotives at work across the UK from 1985 to the present day and features the class in a wide variety of liveries from the final years of corporate BR blue to more recent privatised freight company schemes.

JONATHAN NEWTON
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British Rail Traction Maintenance Depots Part 1: Northern England

MARK CHIVERS

A new series of publications showcasing British Rail Traction Maintenance Depots (TMDs) from Platform 5 opens with this volume dedicated to locations in Northern England between 1974 and 1993. More will follow.

MARK CHIVERS
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Railfreight in the 21st Century

JONATHAN NEWTON

Always of interest to railway enthusiasts and modellers alike are the operation and formation of freight trains. Over the last two decades the railfreight scene has changed substantially and this book reflects many of these changes since the year 2000.

JONATHAN NEWTON
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Railways in South Yorkshire – Four Decades of Change

JONATHAN NEWTON

The railway across South Yorkshire has changed significantly since the 1970s and this latest book from Key Publishing recalls how the rail network has adapted since then to the present day scene.

JONATHAN NEWTON
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Modelling British Railways Modern Freight Locomotives

MARK CHIVERS

This latest title in the series of Modelling British Railways bookazines from Key Publishing focuses on modern-era freight locomotives and the various models available ‘off-the-shelf’ across ‘OO’, ‘N’ and ‘O’ gauge.

MARK CHIVERS
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Dapol ‘N’ gauge Class 142 ‘Pacer’

MIKE WILD

The ‘Pacer’ family of DMUs have never been the most popular with passengers, yet modellers have been keen to add this distinctive utilitarian trains to their fleet. Dapol added it's long awaited ‘N’ gauge model of the Class 142 in 2019 – MIKE WILD takes a closer look.

MIKE WILD
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Oxford Rail ‘N7’ 0-6-2T debuts

MIKE WILD

The Great Eastern Railway’s ‘N7’ 0-6-2Ts were powerful and capable suburban tank engines and now for the first time we can own one in ‘OO’ gauge. MIKE WILD inspects this Oxford Rail product.

MIKE WILD
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Hornby’s Crimson Lake streamlined 'Princess Coronation' 4-6-2s

MIKE WILD

The new Hornby streamlined ‘Princess Coronation’ 4-6-2 arrived in March 2019 carrying LMS Crimson Lake colour scheme with gold lining and modelling 6229 Duchess of Hamilton and 6244 King George VI. Read our review of these stunning locomotives here.

MIKE WILD

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