PERFECT RUNNING
The best running qualities make a model railway more enjoyable to operate. TREVOR JONES turns his attention to getting the best from locomotives.
CHASSIS REBUILDS
A handful of model types have suffered from failure of the metal in the chassis. TIM SHACKLETON looks at the problem of so-called mazak rot and finds a quick and simple way of countering its effects to restore your models to life.
Coal yard construction
In the first of a three-part guide, DAN EVASON shows how to build a small coal yard diorama in ‘OO’ gauge using readily available laser cut kits and scenic materials.
Britain’s Most Powerful: Gresley's ‘P2’
In the first of a series of special features highlighting the best of British railway engineering, TREVOR JONES turns his attention to the imposing Gresley ‘P2’ 2-8-2s by explaining their importance and showing their potential in model form ahead of Hornby’s new release.
HEAVY METAL PART TWO
Less is usually more when it comes to creating effective weathering effects in the smaller scales. Having gone for broke with a battle-scarred ‘WD’, TIM SHACKLETON opts for the subtle approach with a further selection of heavy freight locomotives.
GRAND CENTRAL Mk 4 REPAINTS
Grand Central’s short-lived plan to introduce Class 90 hauled Mk 4 carriage formations on the West Coast Main Line inspired JOHN PILGRIM to repaint a rake of 1990s era Hornby models. Here he explains his process for this ‘OO’ gauge project.
‘N’ Gauge Heavy Metal Part One
Weathering in the smaller scales hasn’t always received the attention it deserves. TIM SHACKLETON tries different approaches as he weathers a selection of big freight locomotives in 2mm scale.
GOING NUCLEAR
Nuclear traffic provides ideal train lengths for layouts of any size.TIM SHACKLETON looks at some simple techniques for weathering these short freight trains of recent years.
3D printed ‘J69’
CDC Design’s 3D printed locomotive body for the Great Eastern ‘J69’ 0-6-0T was a temptation too great to resist for TREVOR JONES. He explains how the body can be used with a ready-to-run chassis to add character to a GE fleet.
MOVING VEHICLES
The Faller Car System is a brilliant way of introducing moving road vehicles alongside a railway, and it’s much simpler to add than you might think. MIKE WILD opens up the Gaugemaster starter set to add a circuit to the Hornby Magazine test track.
A ‘baseball cap’ for a ‘Royal Scot’
Sometimes, you want a model which is utterly unique, and as with many classes, the ‘Royal Scots’ had their fair share of modifications. TREVOR JONES shows how he converted a Bachmann model with unusual smoke deflectors.
REPAINTS... FACT & FANTASY
TIM SHACKLETON brings a little colour into our lives by imagining what a DB Cargo Class 68 might look like.
Modelling Stanier coaches
TIM SHACKLETON looks at some subtle but surprisingly effective ways of improving ‘OO’ gauge coaches from Bachmann and Hornby.
Digital semaphores
Using readily available equipment Mike Wild shows how semaphore signals can be brought fully into the digital era in just six simple steps.
Before BR blue
The change to BR’s new corporate blue colour scheme didn’t happen overnight, and there were many variations. TIM SHACKLETON wanders into the minefield of blue liveries in the pre-TOPS era.
Creating a wagon depot
For a slightly different take on a railway depot scene, MARK CHIVERS builds Railway Laser Lines’ recently introduced 4mm scale laser-cut Wagon Repair Depot.
Industrial canal
Canals moved goods and raw materials in large quantities across the UK even after the railways were built. ANTHONY REEVES shows how to create a canal side scene next to the industry it once served.
Building your Low relief Grain Silo
Hornby Magazine and Scalescenes present a brand new 4mm scale kit for ‘OO’ gauge layouts which models a low relief grain silo. JOHN WIFFEN explains how to build this brick and concrete structure using the free kit print included with this issue.
Building LNER ‘Quad-Arts’
The LNER articulated ‘Quad-Art’ coaches stood out from the crowd – and the arrival of a new 3D printed resin kit from Isinglass Models was too tempting to resist. MIKE WILD knuckles down to build a four-coach set for ‘OO’ gauge with a handful of modifications along the way.
Resurrecting the dinosaur
In the year that marks Hornby’s centenary, TIM SHACKLETON unlocks the potential of some classic models from the last half-century.
VIDEO: EFE Rail 'J94' sound installation
EFE Rail's first 'OO' gauge locomotive is the Hunslet 'J94' 0-6-0ST. In this online exclusive video we show how to install digital sound into the compact tank engine using a ZIMO chip and Rail Exclusive speaker.
The changing face of the Class 59
TIM SHACKLETON sees a much-loved Lima model thriving under the Hornby banner – and shows how to make it even better with simple additions and weathering.
REALISTIC EMBANKMENTS
Embankments need to be planned at the initial stages of creating a model railway – and foliage on them can really help set a sense of time. ANTHONY REEVES shows how it can be done using teddy bear fur as the basis.
Scratch building for beginners
Learning the skills to use card and plasticard to build your own structures means you can build unique items to enhance your layout. PAUL CHAPMAN shows how to build a simple brick built sub-station using wallet friendly materials.
’Q6’ SOUND
Eight-coupled freight engines were hard working locomotives and Locoman Sounds has set out to recreate that effect with its Doehler & Haass sound file for the Raven ‘Q6’ 0-8-0. MIKE WILD shows how it can be installed in the Hornby model with extra features.
Washes & filters
The ‘S160’ class only spent a couple of years in wartime Britain, but they’ve since acquired a huge enthusiast following. TIM SHACKLETON adopts some militarymodeller weathering techniques to show how he gave one of these iconic locomotives a true ‘austerity’ finish.
Streams and brooks
Streams and brooks can make wonderful additions to model railways. ANTHONY REEVES explains how to make them as realistic as possible.
Display Models' BR Type 19 Signalbox
Most layouts need at least one signalbox – and they can really help set an era and location. RICHARD WATSON builds Display Models’ laser cut kit for the BR Type 19 design.
MADE IN CHINA
Hornby’s decision to move production to the far east was considered highly controversial at the time, but the move secured the company’s future, as MARK CHIVERS explains.
VIDEO: Bachmann Class 117 sound installation
Following the arrival of Bachmann's new Class 117 DMUs we were keen to test the models abilities with a sound decoder installed. This video guide with MIKE WILD explains how it is done using a ZIMO MX645P22 decoder.