Explore the amazing model railways built by talented individuals and clubs which feature in the pages of Hornby Magazine. This section covers 'OO', 'EM', 'P4', 'N', and 'O' gauge model railways and more in all eras. Plus many now feature exclusive online video content which you can only find here on Key Model World.
Eastern Inspiration highlights gallery
The BR Eastern Region has been the subject of many layouts large and small. Hornby Magazine highlights a handful of the best in this gallery of inspirational scenes.
Little Quarry 'OO' gauge micro-layout
The stunning south Shropshire countryside is the setting for DAN EVASON’S ‘OO’ gauge micro-layout, recalling the longvanished railways which served quarries in the area.
Gordon’s Lane - Wessex Main Line in 'OO'
There is surprising variety on the railways in Wessex. GREG MARSHALL shows just how much in this present day ‘OO’ gauge exhibition layout, which is just 1ft wide.
Cley-on-sea 'OO' gauge late 1960s eastern region layout
Norfolk in the 1960s is the setting for RUSSELL PIGOTT’S home-based layout, with lengthy runs and a wide variety of operation in ‘OO’ scale.
Little Aller Junction - diesel-hydraulic era in 'N'
Aller Junction, near Newton Abbot, was the inspiration for CHRIS MORRIS’ ‘N’ gauge layout, set firmly in the diesel-hydraulic era in the summer of 1963. Photography, Mike Wild.
Appleton Junction - East Coast Main Line in the transition years
Modelling a fictional section of the East Coast Main Line south of York, Appleton Junction recreates the spectacle of the transition years in the 1950s and 1960s, as PETER BRACKENBURY describes. Photography, Mike Wild.
Beckwick - third-rail electrics by the seaside
BECKENHAM & WEST WICKHAM MODEL RAILWAY CLUB chose British Railways’ Southern Region for their ‘OO’ gauge exhibition layout, which evokes the feel of the transition years – with added third-rail.
Dawlish Warren - Devon in 'N' gauge
With just a hint of sea wall, red sandstone cliffs and a four-track section of main line, CHRIS MORRIS explains how he set out to model one of Devon’s most popular holiday locations in ‘N’ gauge.
Little Bytham - the East Coast Main Line in 'OO'
This long-lost East Coast Main Line outpost is the scene for TONY WRIGHT’S stunning 'OO' gauge layout, featuring 'Pacifics' hauling expresses at speed during steam's Indian Summer.
Operating The Great Central Railway
The first phase of our new project layout for the Yearbook is complete. Mike Wild takes a closer look at how it will operate, its rolling stock and future plans for development. Photography, Richard Watson.
Building the Great Central Railway
The Great Central Main Line is incredibly well served with locomotives, rolling stock and buildings offering the perfect ingredients to inspire Hornby Magazine’s annual Yearbook project layout. MIKE WILD introduces this ‘OO’ gauge model and explains its design and first phase of construction.
Old Oak Bridge - the 1980-1990s in 'OO' gauge
The 1990s atmosphere around Old Oak Common Depot was the inspiration for GARY PAYNE'S ‘OO' gauge home-based layout -a scene that has changed beyond all recognition today.
Broad Sidlinch revisited - the S&D in 'OO' gauge
The Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway is the setting for this fascinating ‘OO’ gauge layout which is now operated by the North Norfolk Model Railway Enthusiasts at Holt station on the North Norfolk Railway. PAUL GOLDSMITH takes us on a return journey to discover how this layout has been refurbished for a new lease of life.
Rosebury Goods - 1980s Midlands freight scene
The grimy industry of the Black Country in the 1980s is the setting for NEIL WOODBINE’s latest ‘OO’ gauge layout, which demonstrates the atmosphere which can be achieved in a small space.
Launceston Steam Railway - Cornish narrow gauge steam
The 2ft gauge Launceston Steam Railway in Cornwall was an instant choice for RICHARD HOLDER for his charming ‘OO9’ narrow gauge layout. He reveals its story and unique features.
Gowerton Parkway - South Wales in the early 2000s
Based on the busy and varied South Wales network in the first decade of this century, MARCUS LAMBERT’s ‘OO’ gauge layout captures the colour and vibrancy of the scene to grand effect. Photography, Trevor Jones.
Bradford-on-Tone - the hydraulic era on the Western
The lure of the hydraulic era was too much to resist for the Somerset Railway Modellers Club which took its popular ‘OO’ gauge layout Oake forward a decade for a new look. Steve Pike explains all. Photography, Trevor Jones.
Seven Mills Sidings and Bench Road 'O' gauge layout
Originally conceived as a multi-era scene, this busy and compact ‘O’ gauge layout has led an eventful life. ANDY PETERS explains its journey from start to finish. Photography, Mike Wild.
Humphrey Road Sidings 'OO' gauge shunting layout
What if nationalisation had never happened? That's what NORMAN AND MEG RAVEN set out to explore in their 1950s Southern Railway goods scene in ‘OO’ gauge with a distinctly chilly feel. Read the full feature with an exclusive KeyModelWorld online video tour.
Dart Valley Junction - the Western Region 1940-1960
A holiday in Devon inspired ERIC AUSTIN to return to railway modelling – and in a small space he has captured the essence of the region beautifully in ‘OO’ gauge. Photography, Trevor Jones.
Wick End - 1980s Scotland in 'O'
A life-long passion for Scottish region operation in the 1980s and an exhibition invite for a ‘small’ layout gave DAVE and CHRIS WARNER all the incentive they need to develop this compact ‘O’ gauge terminus.
Howbrooke - the modern railway in 'OO'
Given a challenge to create a present day layout for his club, RICHARD SMITH and friends built this appealing snapshot of the sights and colours of the modern day railway in ‘OO’ gauge. Read the full story here with exclusive KeyModelWorld only video.
SOUTHPOOL - THE 1960S IN THE NORTH WEST
The 1960s around Southport and Liverpool were the inspiration for STEVE JOHNSON of Grimy Times to build this stunning urban landscape in his single garage at home. Steve reveals the full story of this soon to be dismantled layout with exclusive KeyModelWorld online images and video. Photography, Mike Wild.
Leicester (Belgrave Road)
Based on a real location, this complex ‘OO’ gauge exhibition layout was built by Abingdon and District Model Railway Club. ERIC YOUNG describes the planning and operational details of trying to keep the public entertained. Photography, Trevor Jones.
Peakton-on-Sea
The seaside town of Peakton-on-Sea is the setting for TIM LOWE’S latest ‘OO’ gauge Network SouthEast era layout. Tim explains his planning, construction and the layout’s operation. Photography, Mike Wild.
Waldbury - the GWR in the 1940s
Drag racer BERNARD NEWBURY took the plunge to build his dream model railway when he retired modelling a Great Western Railway main line station in 'OO' gauge and set in the 1940s. Mike Wild meets Bernard to discover the story of his layout with a full feature and exclusive KeyModelWorld only video.
Birch Hill
After thinking twice about a West Cornwall set layout, TED SCHOFIELD opted to base his slice of the 1950s and 1960s in the Bristol area, where Great Western and LMS locomotives ran side by side. Photography, Trevor Jones.
Newhaven Harbour
Needing a new exhibition layout, Wirral and Wigan Finescale Railway Modellers purchased a South Coast set ‘OO’ gauge project. TIM ROGERS explains how they upgraded and improved it to go on tour.
BSC Shepcote Lane Tippler Sidings
BARRIE JONES takes us to the Sheffield area where his compact ‘OO’ finescale layout plays host to part of a steelworks in the late 1980s.
Middle Elmton
Impressed by the quality of modern ‘N’ gauge models, PETER BRACKENBURY recreated the railway scene of the East Midlands for his latest exhibition layout creating a trackplan with subtle differences to the norm.