REVIEWS - 'O' GAUGE
Interest in ready-to-run 'O' gauge (7mm:1ft scale) models is at an all-time high with new releases coming to market from Heljan, Dapol, Lionheart Trains, Ellis Clark Trains, Accurascale and more. Join us for the latest model reviews and an increasing number from our back catalogue to give you the full story on 'O' gauge locomotive, rolling stock and acccessories. Look out for our videos too from both our 'O' gauge test track and the garden railway.
'O' gauge model reviews
Legacy Power-Points
New from DCC Concepts’ sister company, Legacy Models, are Legacy PowerPoints. Similar in appearance to the parent company’s original baseboard alignment dowels (HM128), these clever PowerPoint examples incorporate electrical connections.
Brimal universal connections aid wiring
Brimal Components has added a useful universal wire termination board to its range of electrical components and modelling aids.
HobbyTrax magnetic corner clamps
HobbyTrax has added magnetic corner clamps to its range of modelling tools. These 3D printed clamps are ideal for building models of all shapes and sizes from a range of materials.
Deluxe Materials carbon fibre
Deluxe Materials’ extensive range of adhesives and modelling materials includes these useful packs of carbon fibre mat and carbon fibre tissue.
Legacy detector
DCC Concepts has launched the first in a series of new products under the Legacy Models banner. This intelligent little device is a detector which is simple to install on layouts.
Gaugemaster spray can trigger grip
New to the Gaugemaster collection of modelling tools is this spray can trigger grip which is designed to assist with the use of aerosol paint cans.
Hattons launches laser cut baseboards
Check out Hattons precision baseboards range, with 4ft x 2ft baseboard kits available in MDF and plywood. Find out more here.
Woodland Scenics board fencing
We have been excited to see the new range of ready painted fencing products arrive from Woodland Scenics since their announcement at the beginning of 2020. The new range comprises log, board, chain link, picket, privacy and barbed wire designs with our samples covering board fencing in ‘HO’ scale.
ModelU locomotive crew packs
Modelu’s range of 3D printed finescale figures has been expanded with a new selection of locomotive crew packs for ‘N’, ‘OO’ and ‘O’. These new packs are available for Western, Southern, Midland and Eastern Region motive power.
Dapol’s ’O’ gauge ‘Turbots’
Modern image ‘O’ gauge is being served with the arrival of Dapol’s eagerly awaited 7mm scale ‘Turbot’ bogie spoil wagons.
REVAMPED CLASS 37/0 FOR ’O’ GAUGE
Heljan has been making the most of its back catalogue during 2020 with re-releases of its ‘Hymek’ and ‘Deltic’ which have now been followed by the original split headcode Class 37s. MIKE WILD inspects one of the five new versions arriving this summer.
Hattons 'O' gauge Gresley 'A4'
The streamlined casing of the Gresley ‘A4’ took the world by storm when the first of the new breed rolled out of Doncaster Works in 1935. Can Hattons brand-new ‘O’ gauge model of the high-speed ‘Pacifics’ do the same for 7mm scale? MIKE WILD puts this new arrival through its paces.
Locoman Creates new ‘A3’ sound profile
The famous three-cylinder beat of the sole surviving Gresley ‘A3’ 4-6-2 has been recreated for the ESU LokSound 5 platform by Locoman Sounds. This brand new sound scheme introduces new functions and versatility which take advantage of the latest generation decoder from ESU.
Bulk crew packs
3D printing specialist Hardy’s Hobbies has introduced a range of special figures packs to offer a bulk purchase discount.
Dapol ’O’ gauge 8 ton Banana vans
Immediately following the reopening of Dapol’s warehouse in mid-April, it released the first batch of its new ready-to-run ‘O’ gauge banana vans to the shops.
Routemex ‘O’ gauge colour light
A new collection of ‘O’ gauge colour light signal kits has been introduced by Routemex (HM155) covering two, three and four-aspect designs.
Get your own ‘Mini Mike’
Modelu has added new figures to its range of locomotive crews including two 3D printed versions of Hornby Magazine’s very own Editor Mike Wild.
Dapol delivers production ‘14XX’ FOR ’O’
In HM150 we reviewed the pre-production version of Dapol’s highly anticipated GWR ‘14XX’ 0-4-2T. With the arrival of the production models in late March, MIKE WILD inspects the finished product to see if it matches what we saw before.
Heljan revives ’O’ gauge ‘HYMEK’
The versatile Class 35 ‘Hymek’ has been relaunched by Heljan 15 years after the first release. MIKE WILD takes a closer look at this reintroduction for ‘O’ gauge to find out what’s new.
KS Laser Designs fog hut kit
Laser cut kit specialist KS Laser Designs has added a simple and quick to build kit for a concrete fog hut to its ‘O’ gauge range.
Heljan’s ‘O’ gauge Class 03
Diesel shunters suit layouts large and small and across multiple eras too. MIKE WILD takes a close look at Heljan’s new model of the BR Class 03 for ‘O’ gauge to assess its detail and performance.
Dapol’s delightful Sentinel 4wVBT
The quirky Sentinel four-wheel vertical boiler tank engines are the subject of Dapol’s latest ‘O’ gauge locomotive. MIKE WILD inspects this compact shunting engine which is a perfect starter model for the scale.
Heljan launches ‘O’ gauge Class 50
The fleet of 50 English Electric Class 50s attracted a cult following in their final years of service and have always been popular as ready-to-run models. Heljan has delivered the first ‘O’ gauge version of the sought-after diesel-electric – MIKE WILD takes a closer look.
Train-Tech SC4 semaphore signal controller
Train-Tech has introduced a new version of its semaphore signal accessory decoder to suit the new Dapol servo-operated semaphore signals.
Hatton’s Gresley ‘A3’ debuts for 'O' gauge
Could this be Hatton’s most exciting model yet? MIKE WILD puts the new Heljan produced Hatton’s Originals Gresley ‘A3’ 4-6-2 for ‘O’ gauge through its paces.
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.
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.
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
Heljan’s Great Western ‘Mogul’
The second ‘O’ gauge steam locomotive from the Heljan stable is due to arrive in January. MIKE WILD inspects this enticing new model of the Great Western Railway ‘43XX’ 2-6-0.
Heljan Class 25/3 for 'O' gauge
For the second month running Heljan has delivered a brand new ready-to-run locomotive for ‘O’ gauge. MIKE WILD gets to grips with its latest release – the BR Sulzer Class 25/3.