'OO' gauge model reviews
Oxford Rail ‘N7’ 0-6-2T debuts
The Great Eastern Railway’s ‘N7’ 0-6-2Ts were powerful and capable suburban tank engines and now for the first time we can own one in ‘OO’ gauge. MIKE WILD inspects this Oxford Rail product.
MIKE WILDHornby’s Crimson Lake streamlined 'Princess Coronation' 4-6-2s
The new Hornby streamlined ‘Princess Coronation’ 4-6-2 arrived in March 2019 carrying LMS Crimson Lake colour scheme with gold lining and modelling 6229 Duchess of Hamilton and 6244 King George VI. Read our review of these stunning locomotives here.
MIKE WILDKR Models delivers its Palbrick wagons for 'OO' gauge
The late-1950s saw the introduction of the Palbrick wagon fleet for the transport of bricks. Mike Wild inspects the first ever ready-to-run ‘OO’ gauge model of these distinctive wagons from KR Models.
MIKE WILDRapido Trains UK GWR ‘Iron Mink’ vans
Rapido Trains UK’s eagerly-awaited all-new ‘OO’ gauge Great Western Railway (GWR) ‘Iron Mink’ vans have arrived.
MARK CHIVERSRapido releases 'OO' gauge Ferry Vans
New from Rapido Trains UK are these all-new ‘OO’ gauge BR 20ton ferry vans. We take a closer look at this new box to discover what it has to offer.
MARK CHIVERSTiger expands Hornby pioneer collection
Hornby has released its follow up to the 2022 model of 0-4-2 Lion in the form of classmate Tiger. MIKE WILD inspects the latest early railway locomotive to arrive for ‘OO’ gauge.
MIKE IWLDHornby’s Lion for ‘OO’ gauge
The Liverpool & Manchester Railway’s 1838-built 0-4-2 Lion is the subject of Hornby’s latest locomotive release. With an intriguing and complex history, MIKE WILD takes a detailed look at this intricate new addition.
MIKE WILDSonic Models GCR ‘A5’ 4-6-2T debuts for OO gauge
A new name in ‘OO’ gauge ready-to-run has delivered its first ready-to-run locomotive – the Great Central Railway ‘A5’ 4-6-2T. MIKE WILD takes a closer look at this enticing new addition for Eastern Region modellers.
MIKE WILDHornby’s bow-end suburban stock debuts
Hornby has been providing top quality passenger rolling stock for over a decade now. We inspect Hornby's bow-end suburban coaches for 'OO' gauge.
MIKE WILDFIRST LOOK: Hornby launches Bluetooth HM DCC and Triplex Sound
The world of digital is about to be turned on its head with the arrival of Hornby’s new HM DCC Bluetooth control system. MIKE WILD gets to grips with this new way to control your trains and assesses its value.
MIKE WILDTwin Track Sound vent van in ‘OO’ gauge
Digital sound is an enthralling part of the model railway scene and Hornby has sought to bring even more value to ‘OO’ gauge with the introduction of its Twin Track Sound fitted Western Region style ventilated van.
MIKE WILDHornby’s ‘J36’ 0-6-0 for OO gauge
The first batch of Hornby’s highly anticipated LNER ‘J36’ 0-6-0s arrived at the end of December. MIKE WILD gives BR liveried 65311 a once over.
MIKE WILDEFE Rail’s LSWR Cross-Country Coaches
EFE Rail has added a new set of 'OO' gauge LSWR coaches to its range. MARK CHIVERS inspects these latest arrivals.
MARK CHIVERSRapido Trains UK Hunslet 16in 0-6-0ST
Hunslet locomotives are popular subjects, but the 1923-introduced 16in 0-6-0ST has never been available before ready-to-run. MIKE WILD inspects Rapido Trains’ all-new ‘OO’ gauge version.
MIKE WILDModelu Class 45 crew figures
ModelU has added two sets of 4mm scale locomotive crew suitable for Heljan’s all-new ‘OO’ gauge Class 45 diesel to its range of 3D-printed figures and accessories.
JONATHAN NEWTONWeathering stencils from Artool
Using these ingenious laser-cut stencil greatly simplifies the creation of random weathering patterns such as rust and flaking paintwork.
TIM SHACKLETONEFE Rail releases 'OO' gauge Sea Urchin
New from Bachmann’s ‘OO’ gauge EFE Rail range is this ZCA ‘Sea Urchin’ engineers’ spoil open wagon.
MARK CHIVERSHornby Loadhaul ‘Shark’ Surfaces
Hornby’s popular ‘OO’ gauge ‘Shark’ ballast plough brake van returns to the range, resplendent in Loadhaul livery as DB993826.
MARK CHIVERSBachmann ‘OO’ Polybulks Return
New from Rails of Sheffield are these exclusive ‘OO’ gauge JIA ‘Polybulk’ bogie covered hopper wagons commissioned from Bachmann.
MARK CHIVERSHornby's 'OO' gauge Loriot Y wagon arrives
New from Hornby is this eagerly awaited ‘OO’ gauge Great Western Railway (GWR) 25ton ‘Loriot Y’ two-axle machinery truck.
MARK CHIVERSHornby Skaledale Victorian terrace houses
Hornby’s ‘OO’ gauge Skaledale range of resin buildings continues to expand with a series of all-new terrace houses to help build up a residential street scene.
JONATHAN NEWTONHeljan’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 WILDAccurascale’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 WILDAccurascale’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 WILDHornby Class 60 60001 Steadfast
Hornby’s high-fidelity ‘OO’ gauge Class 60 gains a new identity for its latest release as first-built 60001 Steadfast in BR Railfreight Construction sector livery.
MARK CHIVERSRiveting Stuff
New from Railtec Transfers are sheets of crisp three-dimensional rivets or bolt heads in waterslide form.
MARK CHIVERSHumbrol sanding pads
Recently added to the Humbrol range of tools and modelling materials are these new flexible sanding pads.
JONATHAN NEWTONHornby magnetic couplings for OO gauge
The first of Hornby’s new magnetic couplings are now available in multi-coupling packs.
JONATHAN NEWTONBachmann Webb ‘Coal Tank’ 0-6-2T
For its latest venture into pre-Grouping subjects, Bachmann has selected a versatile LNWR locomotive which gave sterling service from the late Victorian era until the late-1950s. BEN JONES takes a closer look.
Bachmann's Network Rail MPV for OO gauge
Bachmann’s model of the Network Rail Multiple Purpose Vehicle (MPV) made its debut in 2011 and offered contemporary layout builders the opportunity to purchase an unusual model of an enthralling prototype in ‘OO’. A new batch of these unusual vehicles is coming soon. Check out what we thought of the original release.
MIKE WILD