Modelling Bewdley station with 3D printing
Having selected a suitable subject, TRISTRAM NEAL outlines how he used modern printing techniques to create a bespoke station building, based on a well-known Severn Valley Railway prototype at Bewdley in this detailed step by step modelling guide.
WORKING DESTINATION SCREENS
Modern electronics are opening up new possibilities for miniature displays. MIKE LOMAX explains how he installed a working LED matrix screen into a ‘OO’ scale double-decker bus.
Parkend North: Part One
With a brief to create a layout set in the dying days of steam in the Forest of Dean in ‘OO’ gauge, DAN EVASON explores how a workable track plan was created – and how the permanent way was laid in the first of a two part series on this layouts construction.
STEP BY STEP: Paint fading techniques
You can almost taste the tobacco smoke and touch the threadbare upholstery as TIM SHACKLETON evokes the unique character of carriage stock from a bygone age using simple weathering techniques to fade the paint on a series of Hornby Maunsell carriages.
Enhancing Hornby’s Colletts
The quality of ready-to-run carriages is outstanding today, but can they be made even better and more realistic? MIKE WILD says yes, with simple painting and additions.
STAFF PROJECTS: Bachmann Class 37/4 restoration
The discovery of a partially stripped chassis and a tatty Class 37 body prompted MIKE WILD to assess returning this Bachmann model of 37411 to frontline service. Here’s how he did it.
SUPER SOUND FOR THE BACHMANN GRESLEY ‘V2’
Bachmann’s all-new Gresley ‘V2’ has been designed with digital sound in mind, but is there a way to introduce a bigger and more powerful speaker in the 2-6-2? MIKE WILD explores the options with a brand new sound file from Locoman Sounds.
Modelling a car dealership
The return of MKD plastic kits to the British market through Hornby Hobbies was the perfect opportunity to make a realistic car dealership for a ‘OO’ layout. DAN EVASON explains the process step by step.
TIME MACHINE
Hornby Magazine’s resident Time Lord Tim Shackleton fast-forwards a GBRf Class 66 and simultaneously backdates a British Rail Class 50 with intriguing results.
Whatever the weather
Snowploughs, Railhead Treatment Trains and much else besides – with one eye on the weather forecast, TIM SHACKLETON looks at some of the specialised vehicles that keep Network Rail running.
Super signalbox
Building a signalbox is one thing, but what if you could give it a full interior, lighting and realistic sound? That’s exactly what DAN EVASON did with this super-detailed Ratio kit in 4mm scale.
‘Western’ ambassadors for sound
The distinctive note of the ‘Western’ hydraulics is highly sought after in model form. PAUL CHETTER installs sound into Heljan and Dapols model of the Class 52 in ‘OO’ scale and compares the steps required and the results achieved.
Weathering a ‘Western’
TIM SHACKLETON turns a Heljan model of Western Enterprise into a detailed portrait of a real locomotive at a specific point in time to capture the elegance of these beautiful machines.
Quick-fix ‘92’ upgrades
The Hornby Class 92 was the first of the manufacturer’s models to be entirely made in China in the late 1990s. MIKE WILD brings increased performance and a little extra detail to the dual-voltage electric.
Transfer request
Applying transfers to models isn’t always as easy as we’d like to think. TIM SHACKLETON explains proven ways of getting them on, getting them straight and getting them to stay put.
Digital Voyager
Bachmann’s ‘OO’ gauge models of the Class 220 and 221 Voyager units pre-date the inclusion of decoder interfaces, but with the right parts they can be upgraded to digital sound and lighting. MIKE WILD shows how.
Down at the farm
Farms make an ideal corner filler for a model railway. DAN EVASON uses new laser cut kits from War World Scenics to create a realistic scene for a ‘OO’ layout.
Print your own wagon
The digital age has made the possibility of printing a wagon kit at home a reality with the right equipment. TIM SHACKLETON explores high-tech ways of expanding your rolling-stock fleet.
Rocket and the Flackwell Trials
Hornby’s all-new model of Rocket was a stunning and award winning addition to its range in 2020. TREVOR JONES saw simple ways to enhance this tiny model ’s haulage capacity and appearance.
Scratchbuilt Garage
What do you do if you want a particular building which isn’t available as a kit or ready-made structure? DAN EVASON shows how to build a bespoke garage in ‘OO’ gauge using readily available and cost effective materials.
A Thompson transformation
Cost-cutting can be fun, as TIM SHACKLETON finds when he takes a circular saw to some long-obsolete ‘OO’ gauge coaches. Making big improvements, he suggests, needn’t cost big bucks either.
Modelling preserved steam
With the popularity of heritage railways and main line steam continuing to grow, RICHARD HALL demonstrates how to recreate this often-overlooked modelling subject, by modifying and detailing a Hornby ‘B1’ into a preserved example.
PowerHaul Class 70 digital sound upgrades
The Freightliner and Colas Rail Freight operated Class 70 diesel locomotives are amongst the most advanced on the British network. MIKE WILD shows how a ZIMO decoder can be installed into the Bachmann ‘OO’ gauge model along with DCC Concepts and Rail Exclusive products for a full suite of sound.
SCRATCHBUILDING LARGE STRUCTURES
ANDY GLOVER uses styrene sheet and strip to model an impressive canal side structure for his ‘N’ gauge layout with methods which can be used for 2mm or 4mm scales.
FORWARD DATING A ‘MERCHANT’
Hornby’s original ‘Merchant Navy’ is a super model but it doesn’t cover all variations to the fleet. GRAHAM MUSPRATT adapts one of the first to enter traffic into its immediately pre-British Railways condition.
COAL YARD DIORAMA
Coal yards were vital parts of many towns and villages. DAN EVASON concludes his three-part build by setting the scene.
DAN EVASON
East Midlands repaints
The latest purple and white colour scheme to be applied to East Midlands Railway rolling stock caught the eye of JOHN PILGRIM, who set about repainting a Lima Class 156 and Hornby HST power car in this bang up-to-date livery. He explains all in this step by step guide.
JOHN PILGRIM
Lightweight Baseboards
Discover Malcolm Briggs and his useful guide all about lightweight baseboards for train modelling. View the step by step creation process here.
Planning a garden railway
No matter what scale or gauge you plan to work with in the garden there are considerations to make a construction methods to choose from. Trevor Jones relays his own experiences and offers his top tips for starting out in garden railway modelling.
A station for the garden
Trevor Jones’ garden railway features regularly in Hornby Magazine and continues to develop. Trevor reveals how he developed Whiteland station using readily available Bachmann, Gaugemaster and Hornby products.