Latest news and features from model railway on Key Model World
Reality Check: The Gresley 'A3' class 'Pacifics'
One of the most famous locomotive designs ever produced was the LNER’s ‘A1’ (later ‘A3’) ‘Pacific’. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES looks back at the story of these iconic 4-6-2s which changed the face of rail travel on the East Coast Main Line.
EVAN GREEN-HUGHES
Heljan’s GWR ‘1366’ 0-6-0PT
Heljan’s ‘OO’ gauge GWR ‘1366’ dock tank is an attractive shunting engine which made its debut in 2016. MIKE WILD inspects this outside cylinder pannier tank.
MIKE WILD
New owners for Mevagissey Model Railway
Mevagissey Model Railway is under new ownership, following the retirement of Paul Catchpole after 18 years running the venture. Lee Price has acquired the Cornwall based business ahead of the 2023 holiday season.
JONATHAN NEWTON
Accurascale’s TPE Mk 5s debut
TransPennine Express has one of the most distinctive liveries on the railway and it is also one of only a handful of train operators to make use of diesel-hauled push-pull trains. MIKE WILD inspects Accurascale’s Nova 3 Mk 5 coaches for ‘OO’.
MIKE WILD
Accurascale’s Caledonian Sleeper Mk 5s
The striking Caledonian Sleeper Mk 5 carriages whisk passengers from London to destinations in Scotland overnight and now you can add them to your collection in ‘OO’ gauge. MIKE WILD gets the full story on Accurascale’s first ready-to-run passenger carriages and demonstrates their operation on our test track.
MIKE WILD
The Mk 5 carriage story
Although locomotive-hauled coaches are largely a thing of the past, there has been one fleet of new-builds in recent years - the Mk 5s operated by Caledonian Sleeper and TransPennine Express. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES looks into the background of these interesting vehicles.
EVAN GREEN-HUGHES
Statfold model railway exhibition 2023 preview
The Statfold Model Railway Exhibition is set to return to the Statfold Narrow Gauge Museum on the weekend of April 1/2 2023, following the success of the debut event in 2022.
MIKE WILD
IXO London Transport RT for O gauge
For ‘O’ gauge modellers looking for suitable road vehicles, the IXO Models 1:43 scale range includes this classic London Transport AEC Regent III RT double-decker bus.
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Ellis Clark Darstaed Mk 1 suburbans
Ellis Clark Trains has become an important name in ready-to-run ‘O’ gauge, especially following the announcements of its LMS Stanier ‘Black Five’ 4-6-0 and LNER Thompson carriages in August (HM148). Here we are focusing on its Darstaed-produced collection of BR Mk 1 57ft non-corridor carriages are in the limelight.
GRINDLEY BROOK
Fast running and a continuous circuit were essential criteria when it came to developing this ‘O’ gauge layout, which was one of the star attractions at the 2019 Great Electric Train Show.
FLYING SCOTSMAN DIGITAL SOUND WITH ZIMO
The National Collection’s famous Gresley ‘A3’ became a must-have addition to the roster for our modern era layout, West Coast Cement. MIKE WILD explains how he installed a Zimo sound decoder, stay alive, speaker and firebox flicker into the popular Hornby ‘Pacific’.
Heljan’s ‘O’ gauge Class 37/4
The fleet of 31 ETH fitted Class 37/4s have had a strong following since their introduction in the mid-1980s. MIKE WILD reviews Heljan’s new 7mm scale model of this popular class which is bringing a fresh splash of colour to its range.
MIKE WILD
Making Class 37s’GROWL’
The English Electric Type 3 is one of the most popular diesel locomotives and it has been the subject of many models over the years. MIKE WILD tackles the Bachmann and ViTrains ‘OO’ models in this double sound installation.
Darstaed delivers 7mm scale Mk 1s
Ellis Clark Trains teamed up with Darstead – a renowned name in ‘O’ gauge tinplate locomotives and rolling stock – to produce a new range of BR Mk 1 63ft 6in corridor carriages for 7mm scale which were first released in 2018.
Kernow’s 4-TC debuts
Southern Region multiple units have gained much popularity since introduction of the Bachmann 4-CEP in 2009, but now we have a go anywhere unpowered 4-TC unit available too. MIKE WILD takes a closer look at this surprisingly enticing and versatile offering.
Click here to watch our full collection of model railway videos.
Latest model railway reviews
Digitrains Class 68 sound
Digitrains has launched a new Class 68 Activedrive digital sound project for ZIMO decoders. Developed by John Gay, it offers an impressive audio suite from coupling and buffering up sounds to compressor, warning horns and notable engine transitions.
TRS Trains water-based smoke generators
TRS Trains is a new name in modelling and is offering a custom digital controlled smoke generator and sound installation as part of its range of services. Interestingly, this isn’t using conventional smoke generators such as the oil-filled Seuthe type – the TRS Trains products make steam with bottled water.
DMG Electech DCC Decoder
DMG Electech has introduced a new range of digital accessories including 8-pin and 21-pin Digital Command Control (DCC) decoders.
HELJAN'S GWR RAILCAR
The Great Western Railway was amongst the first in the world to introduce self-contained diesel railcars for passenger services. Now the classic ‘Razor Edge’is available for ‘O’ gauge with the arrival of this brand-new model from Heljan – MIKE WILD investigates.
BR wagon tarpaulins
New from Geoscenics are these wagon tarpaulin sheets suitable for ‘OO’ and ‘O’ gauge. Our review samples included 7mm and 4mm scale BR wagon tarpaulins intended for use on standard wooden-bodied open and longer ‘Tube’ wagons.
Diesel headcodes
Pacific Models has added this new pack of 4mm scale two and four-character headcodes suitable for BR diesel locomotives and DMUs.
SMS lobster pot
Scale Model Scenery (SMS) has bolstered its range of laser-cut kits and detailing accessories with this new 4mm scale pack of lobster pots/creels.
Click here to read our full collection of model railway product reviews.