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

‘OO’ Car Carriers for EFE Rail

Bachmann has revealed that its next all-new ‘OO’ gauge model for the EFE Rail range will be the distinctive Newton Chambers Car Carrier.

Feature Premium

Hatherleigh Junction - Western Region Gauge 1

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.

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

FIRST REVIEW: TMC reveals its LNER ‘G5’

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.

Feature Premium

Third-rail Electrification

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.

Feature Premium

The Italian Job: Upgrading Lima diesel locomotives

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.

Accurascale Class 89 edges closer

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.

More Dapol Class 67s due soon

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

Review Premium

Hornby Track Lab stores van

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

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: Cheltenham 'OO' gauge exclusive 'Westerns'

Cheltenham Model Centre has taken delivery of a trio of exclusive Dapol 'OO' gauge Class 52 'Westerns'. Watch them in action on the Hornby Magazine test track in this KeyModelWorld video.

VIDEO: Dapol '14XX' for O gauge

Dapol's new 'O' gauge GWR '14XX' 0-4-2T has just arrived in the shops. For HM150 Dapol kindly allowed us to put the final pre-production model through its paces for a full review in the December issue of Hornby Magazine. Watch it here.

Review Premium

Hornby Ruston 48DS 4wDM

‘OO’ gauge locomotives don’t get much smaller than Hornby’s tiny Ruston 48DS fourwheel diesel shunter. MIKE WILD breaks out his magnifying glass to inspect this attractive and eagerly awaited new arrival.

Review Premium

Dapol's 'O' gauge GWR '14XX'

The latest ready-to-run ‘O’ gauge steam locomotive from Dapol is the classic Great Western Railway branch line passenger engine – the Collett ‘14XX’ 0-4-2T. MIKE WILD puts this high specification 7mm scale model through its paces.

Review Premium

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.

Feature Premium

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 sound installation guide Feature Premium

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’.

Class 37/4 from Heljan Review Premium

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.

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


 

Latest model railway reviews

HM170 Accurascale KUAs Review Premium

Nuclear KUAs

The 16-wheel KUA nuclear flask wagon may be a fleet of two, but Accurascale saw its potential for a stand out ‘OO’ gauge ready-to-run wagon. MARK CHIVERS reviews this new arrival.

HM170: Hattons Gresley teaks Review Premium

Teak finish for Hattons Gresleys

The latest arrivals for ‘O’ gauge are the teak liveried version of Hattons’ Gresley corridor coaches. MIKE WILD inspects their finish.

HM170 Bachmann Class 24 Review Premium

Bachmann’s all-new Sulzer Type 2

The Derby Sulzer Type 2 Bo-Bo diesels are proving to be popular subjects with another brand-new entrant to the market from Bachmann. MIKE WILD runs the rule over the latest model of the original condition Class 24.

HM170 TMC 24.5ton mineral wagons Review Premium

TMC 24.5ton mineral wagons

Freight train operators have a new choice of coal wagon with the arrival of TMC’s exclusive models of the BR 24.5ton mineral wagons. MARK CHIVERS reviews these new arrivals for ‘OO’.

HM170 Oxford Diecast Jaguar SUV Review Premium

New Oxford Diecast SUV

New from Oxford Diecast is this 1:76 scale Jaguar E-Pace Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), and first off the 1:76 scale production line is VN67 CWK, offered in an eye-catching metallic blue paint finish.

HM170 SMS wrought iron railings Review Premium

Laser cut art-deco wrought iron railings

If you are looking to add a little art-deco chic to a street scene or building, then these 4mm scale laser-cut wrought iron railings from Scale Model Scenery might just do the trick.

HM170 SMS jetties Review Premium

Jetties float in...

New to the Scale Model Scenery range of 4mm scale laser-cut accessories and kits are these small wooden jetties.Perfect for a river, canal or small harbour scene, the pack contains four 60mm x 10mm lengths of wooden decking

HM170 H&A Models axle bearing cutter Review Premium

Axle box bearing cutter

H&A Models has added an exclusive new ‘OO’ gauge axle box bearing cutting tool to its extensive range of kits and modelling accessories.

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