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

Building a low relief backdrop

MIKE WILD

Creating a backdrop to a railway scene doesn’t have to rely on printed or painted backscenes. Mike Wild explains how the low relief scene at the back of Grosvenor Square developed.

MIKE WILD
Feature Premium

Station detailing at Grosvenor Square

MIKE WILD

There are many ways to bring life to a station scene. Mike Wild offers 10 top tips to make your layout’s signature location stand out from the crowd.

MIKE WILD
Grosvenor Square station canopy construction Feature Premium

Grosvenor Square: A roof over our heads

TIM SHACKLETON

Hornby Magazine’s roofing contractor TIM SHACKLETON describes the construction of Grosvenor Square’s imposing overall canopy.

TIM SHACKLETON
Feature Premium

Grosvenor Square Phase 1: the completed layout

MIKE WILD

Layout complete, it’s time to learn the ropes for how it will run. Mike Wild discusses how the original version of Grosvenor Square operated and what it ran with on its debut in 2016 at the Warley National Model Railway Exhibition.

MIKE WILD
Feature Premium

Making Buildings from Scratch – Part 5

MALCOLM BRIGGS

Taking all of the techniques used in his series so far, MALCOLM BRIGGS applies them to create a power house which, with adaptation, could easily find railway use.

MALCOLM BRIGGS
Review Premium

Ffestiniog ‘Bug Boxes’

MARK CHIVERS

New from Peco are these‘OO9’ narrow gauge Ffestiniog Railway ‘Bug Box’ coaches in Colonel Stephens livery.

MARK CHIVERS
Review Premium

Modelu Contemporary Crews

MARK CHIVERS

Modelu’s extensive range of 3D-printed finescale figures is bolstered with these new packs of modern railway crew.

MARK CHIVERS

VIDEO: Building a TT:120 Model Railway Part Four | Detailing

MIKE WILD and JONATHAN NEWTON

In the fourth and final part of our brand-new Building a TT:120 Model Railway we focus on adding detail to the layout including figures, fencing, bushes, track weathering and more. Part four is available exclusively to Key Model World Subscribers. Watch the trailer below and sign up to watch the full series.

MIKE WILD and JONATHAN NEWTON

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

Ellis Clark Trains shows running 'Black Five' sample

JONATHAN NEWTON

Ellis Clark Trains has received new decorated and running samples of its LMS 'Black Five' 4-6-0 for 'O' gauge. Jonathan Newton joined Ellis Clark to find out more and capture the sample in action.

JONATHAN NEWTON
Review Premium

Little Loco Company Class 15 for 'O' gauge

MIKE WILD

The Little Loco Company launched its 'O' gauge Class 15 in January 2017 and now it is set for a new lease of life with EFE Rail. MIKE WILD gives this impressive model of the BTH Type 1 the once over.

MIKE WILD
Hornby Triplex Sound installation guide Feature Premium

How to install Hornby Triplex sound in the Class 56

MIKE WILD

A new breed of Bluetooth sound chip is here with the arrival of Hornby’s Triplex Sound decoders. MIKE WILD installs the 8-pin variant in a Hornby Class 56 and explains the set up process step by step.

MIKE WILD

VIDEO: Sonic Models reveals 'OO' gauge VIX Ferry Van

MIKE WILD

Sonic Models has produced an all-new model of the BR VIX Ferry Van for 'OO' gauge. We reveal the new model in our exclusive launch video and you can read the full story here.

MIKE WILD
Hornby Dublo A4 review. Review Premium

Hornby’s releases Dublo 'A4' 4-6-2 for 'OO' gauge

MIKE WILD

The Hornby Dublo brand is firmly back with the latest arrival modelling the streamlined Gresley ‘A4’ 4-6-2. MIKE WILD takes a closer look at 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley.

MIKE WILD
Feature Premium

Scarlington - the North of England in 'N' gauge

KEITH SMITH

The distinctive atmosphere of North East England in the 1970s and 80s is the setting for the North of England Line Group’s ‘N’ gauge layout. KEITH SMITH explains how it was built and how it runs.

KEITH SMITH

VIDEO: GCR cab ride with 37714 

MIKE WILD

With the arrival of the new Accurascale Class 37, we take you into the cab of GCR based 37714 to experience the journey from Leicester-Loughborough in the cab on Britain’s only preserved double track main line.

MIKE WILD
Accurascale Class 37 for OO gauge Review Premium

VIDEO: Accurascale delivers its all-new Class 37

MIKE WILD

The English Electric Class 37 is without doubt the most successful BR Type 3 diesel. Accurascale has released its highly anticipated new model for ‘OO’ gauge. MIKE WILD runs the rule over this exciting new arrival.

MIKE WILD

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


 

Latest model railway reviews

Review Premium

Rainbow’s Revolutionary TUA Tanks

MARK CHIVERS

A new wagon option is available for 1970s and 1980s modellers. MARK CHIVERS takes a close - but not caustic - look at the TUAs.

MARK CHIVERS
Accurascale Class 37/0 for OO gauge. Review Premium

Accurascale Scottish 'Car Headlight' Class 37/0s

MARK CHIVERS

Accurascale’s latest batch of all-new ‘OO’ gauge Class 37 Co-Co diesels (HM192) have arrived, with the latest releases modelling the early Scottish ‘car headlamp’ style Class 37/0 variants.

MARK CHIVERS
Review Freemium

Flying Scotsman gains sound in ‘TT:120’

MIKE WILD

The famous Gresley ‘A3’ 4-6-2 is now available in ‘TT:120’ scale with Hornby’s new Triplex Sound installed from the factory. MIKE WILD inspects this new arrival.

MIKE WILD
Review Premium

Hornby’s all-new LNER 'P2' 2-8-2 debuts

MIKE WILD

The stunning Gresley ‘P2’ 2-8-2s are the subject of a brand-new model from Hornby. MIKE WILD gets to grips with this enticing new offering highlighting its details and performance.

MIKE WILD
Heljan NBL prototype 10800 Review Premium

FIRST REVIEW: Heljan’s NBL prototype 10800

MIKE WILD

Prototype diesels have been a popular subject choice in ‘OO’ gauge over the past decade, but it was hard to imagine the short-lived Ivatt designed Bo-Bo being produced. Heljan’s all-new model is here and MIKE WILD takes a closer look.

MIKE WILD
Review Premium

Rapido's GWR Diagram AA20 ‘Toad’ brake van lands

MARK CHIVERS

A newly-tooled ‘OO’ gauge GWR ‘Toad’ brake van is here. MARK CHIVERS casts a glance at this latest release for the scale.

MARK CHIVERS
Review Premium

Accurascale FNA-D nuclear flask wagon for 'OO' gauge

MARK CHIVERS

These distinctive wagons are now with retailers - but do they make MARK CHIVERS go nuclear with delight?

MARK CHIVERS
Review Premium

Rapido Trains’ SECR Six-Wheel Brake Vans

MARK CHIVERS

These distinctive and important vehicles are now available. MARK CHIVERS puts Rapido’s new ‘OO’ gauge model under the microscope.

MARK CHIVERS

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