Model Railways

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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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Latest news and features from model railway on Key Model World

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Modelu Head Signals

MARK CHIVERS

New from Modelu are these 3D-printed ‘OO’ gauge London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) and Southern Railway (SR) Head Signals.

MARK CHIVERS

Genesis batch II edges closer

MARK CHIVERS

Hattons’ development team has received decorated samples of its next batch of Hattons Originals ‘OO’ gauge four- and six-wheel coaches.

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

Revolution’s SR Inspection Saloon

MIKE WILD

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.

MIKE WILD

Dapol ‘N’ GWR ‘Mogul’ progresses

MARK CHIVERS

Design work for Dapol’s all-new ‘N’ gauge Great Western Railway (GWR) ‘Mogul’ is complete and the project is about to enter tooling.

MARK CHIVERS
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Kernow Engine House 

MARK CHIVERS

Kernow Model Rail Centre’s range of exclusive West Country themed models includes these specially commissioned ‘OO’ and ‘N’ gauge Scenecraft Cornish Engine Houses.

MARK CHIVERS
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DMU weathering – multiple options

TIM SHACKLETON

Continuing his series on improving models of Diesel Multiple Units, TIM SHACKLETON outlines some innovative methods for weathering first-generation vehicles.

TIM SHACKLETON
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PLANNING JUNCTIONS

PAUL LUNN

By their very nature, junctions are fascinating, especially where multiple route permutations are possible. PAUL LUNN selects a few real-life examples and shows how you can replicate them in model form.Artwork and photography by Paul A. Lunn, unless stated otherwise

PAUL LUNN
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Bachmann’s upgraded Whistler

MARK CHIVERS

The latest iteration of Bachmann’s ‘OO’ gauge Class 40 has arrived, sporting tooling and circuitry upgrades. MARK CHIVERS casts a glance at this new and improved release.

MARK CHIVERS

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Latest model railway videos

VIDEO: Hornby's 'A2/3' 4-6-2 for 'OO'

The latest 'Pacific' to arrive from Hornby for review is its follow up to the Thompson 'A2/2' - the 'A2/3'. Join Mike Wild in the Hornby Magazine workshop as we put 60512 Steady Aim through its paces and don't miss our full review of this new release in the latest issue - HM167.

VIDEO: Heljan Class 25/3 for 'OO' gauge

In the latest issue of Hornby Magazine (HM167) we review Heljan's all-new 'OO' gauge model of the Class 25/3. Watch our sample in action here fitted with a ZIMO sound decoder.

VIDEO: Heljan Class 86/0 for 'OO' gauge

The Class 86 has been a stalwart of the West Coast Main Line from its introduction in 1965, with numerous sub classes and modifications through the years. Join Hornby Magazine's Mike Wild in the workshop as he puts a weathered version of 86034 through its paces on our test track.

VIDEO: Hornby Magazine Show | April 2021

Join Richard as he embarks on the second part of his project to expand Hornby Magazine's 'OO9' gauge layout by taking inspiration from the fabulous Ffestiniog Railway in North Wales. Along with the layout build Richard also visits the railway for a full behind the scenes look including driver's eye view footage and more.

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HALIFAX POWELL STREET

Competition between the pre-Grouping railways for access to Lancashire and Yorkshire’s towns and cities was fierce. PETER DURANT shows how he created this fictional station in Halifax which has a strong grounding in reality in ‘OO’ scale. Photography, Peter Durant.

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RETURN OF THE 'RAT'

The ‘facelifted’ Class 25 is the subject of Heljan’s latest ‘OO’ gauge ready-to-run model and fills an important gap in the market for a contemporary model. MIKE WILD takes a closer look at this new addition.

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Steady Aim is rock solid

Hornby’s latest steam locomotive to arrive for review is the follow-up to the Thompson ‘A2/ 2’ 4-6-2 (HM166) – the production ‘A2/3’ class locomotives. MIKE WILD runs the rule over Steady Aim.

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Heljan delivers Class 86/0

The Class 86 has been a stalwart of the West Coast Main Line from its introduction in 1965, with numerous sub classes and modifications through the years. MIKE WILD inspects this brandnew version of the AC electric which models the class in original condition.

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Latest model railway reviews

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EFE motorised 1938 Tube stock

With a second variant of EFE Rail’s recently released 1:76 scale motorised 1938 London Underground tube stock on the cards, MARK CHIVERS takes a closer look at the company’s sell-out first set.

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Legacy track expansion

DCC CONCEPTS has expanded its ‘OO’ gauge Legacy track range with all-new flat bottom rail flexible wooden sleeper track with code 75 and code 100 rail, together with a new batch of it ‘OO’ gauge code 75 bullhead rail wooden sleeper track.

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Ellis Clark delivers 'O' gauge Presflos

The 20ton Presflo cement wagon is Ellis Clark Trains’ first fully home-grown product for ‘O’ gauge. MIKE WILD inspects this enticing new arrival.

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Hornby expands its Maunsell collection

The Maunsell corridor coach family has been a popular part of the Hornby range and now it has expanded with the addition of an all-new model of the Dining Saloon for ‘OO’. MIKE WILD takes a closer look.

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Point motors equipment guide

Fitting point motors can make a real difference to a model railway by offering hands free operation of turnout direction – but which are the best? MARK CHIVERS assesses the options covering both solenoid and stall motor designs.

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Dapol’s ‘OO’ Class 122

As the last BR diesel railcars are retired from passenger service by Chiltern Railways in 2017, BEN JONES takes a close look at Dapol’s long-awaited new model of the Gloucester RCW variant of the popular ‘bubble cars’.

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KR Models Consett Hoppers for 'OO' gauge

The intensively used Consett iron ore hoppers are KR Models’ first piece of rolling stock and its second ever ready-to-run model to be released. MIKE WILD checks out a full rake.

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Pit to Power Station

THIS recent volume from Fonthill Media reflects on the Merry Go-Round (MGR) coal train operations of the 1990s, as witnessed by its author who worked on the railway at Worksop during this time.

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