Layout features

Featuring
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Welcome to our collection of model railway layout features. Here you will find beautifully detailed model railways in 'OO' gauge, 'N' gauge, 'O' gauge, 'OO9' narrow gauge and more offering a huge variety of build designs and inspirational techniques. Plus our growing collection covers a broad spectrum of different periods in railway history as well as all four corners of the British railway network while many feature exclusive KeyModelWorld only video tours. Indulge and enjoy!

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.

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The Spirit of Shap in 'OO' gauge

GRAHAM NICHOLAS

This legendary West Coast Main Line outpost is the subject of GRAHAM NICHOLAS’ stunning ‘OO’ gauge layout. He explains how he recreated it – including its famous banking locomotives.

GRAHAM NICHOLAS
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Dalziel North

RODDY NEWBIGGING

The atmosphere around a Scottish freight terminal in the early 2000s inspired RODDY NEWBIGGING and friends to create this detailed pastiche of the early privatised railway in North Lanarkshire.Photography, Jonathan Newton

RODDY NEWBIGGING
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Norman Colliery

GEOFF BRAIN

After a chance kit purchase converted him to the merits of ‘O’ gauge, GEOFF BRAIN built this superb exhibition layout focused on a colliery, keeping the memories of this now disappeared industry alive. See it at Model World LIVE on April 27/28 2024.

GEOFF BRAIN
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Redbridge Wharf

RICH SULZMANN

Winchester Railway Modellers took on the challenge to build Redbridge Wharf - a layout based on the expansive sleeper works at Redbridge, Southampton, nestled alongside a busy main line railway. RICH SULZMANN tells the story.

RICH SULZMANN
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Crianlarich - Scotland in 'N' gauge

KEITH BATHGATE

This well-known West Highland Line junction was Renfrewshire Model Railway Club’s exhibition mainstay for many years. KEITH BATHGATE explains its fortuitous start and plans for a successor.

KEITH BATHGATE
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Lockdown Sidings

SIMON MARSH

The Pandemic lockdowns prompted SIMON MARSH to build his first layout in many years - and it shows what can be achieved in a small space in ‘OO’ gauge. Photography, Trevor Jones

SIMON MARSH
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Allerby - recreating the 1980s in 'O' gauge

Steve Thompson

The latest exhibition layout from STEVE THOMPSON and family models a freight scene in ‘O’ gauge, demonstrating the tremendous presence this scale offers and you can see it at Model World LIVE on April 27/28 2024.

Steve Thompson
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Gonerby - a freight depot in the diesel era

KEVIN CRANE

The atmosphere of a 1980s freight terminal and depot was what KEVIN CRANE wanted to recapture, done to brilliant effect in ‘OO’ gauge. Read the full feature and watch our exclusive layout tour video here.

KEVIN CRANE
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Conyer Creek Signals - an SECR branch line in O gauge

GREG COOMBER’S

A sleepy Kent Coast creek is the setting for GREG COOMBER’S debut ‘O’ gauge layout, set in the pre-Grouping era.

GREG COOMBER’S
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KINLOCHEWE

NICK SKELTON

Based on a projected but never built railway in the Highlands of Scotland, NICK SKELTON captures the atmosphere and essence of the 1980s in ‘OO’. Watch our trailer video below and sign in or sign-up to read the full feature and watch the entire exclusive video.

NICK SKELTON
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Halifax and the Calder Valley in the LMS era

PHILIP WADDINGTON

PHILIP WADDINGTON drew inspiration from West Yorkshire to recreate a pre-Grouping slice of nostalgia in ‘OO’ gauge, focused on the famous Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway.

PHILIP WADDINGTON
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Bath Green Park in O gauge

ANDREW PEARCE

The Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway’s northern terminus is the subject of ANDREW PEARCE’S stunning ‘O’ gauge layout. He explains how and why he built this giant layout.

ANDREW PEARCE
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New Dalby - Research Division

ANDREW PORTER

Network Rail’s Leicestershire-based test track inspired ANDREW PORTER to capture the spirit of innovation in his fabulous ‘N’ gauge layout. Watch our video trailer below and sign up or sign in to watch the full layout tour video.

ANDREW PORTER
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Ranelagh Bridge - London Paddington's stabling point

MALCOLM BENTLEY

The once familiar sight of Western Region hydraulics at Ranelagh Bridge yard has been preserved in model form by MALCOLM BENTLEY'S stunning ‘OO’ gauge layout. We discover how and why it was built as well as its clever operational tricks.

MALCOLM BENTLEY
White Meadow Quarry in 'N' gauge. Feature Premium

White Meadow Quarry 'N' gauge layout

RAY TAYLOR and ANNA BASS

Childhood memories from the Croydon area inspired RAY TAYLOR and ANNA BASS to build White Meadow Quarry. This busy 'N' gauge layout combines main line and industrial railways in an unusual setting. Discover its story in word, pictures and video.

RAY TAYLOR and ANNA BASS