LAYOUT FEATURES
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.
Fenny Stratford
Now rather a backwater, in the 1950s, this pretty station was so much busier, like many others. PETER ELLIS describes how he and David Court recreated part of the ‘Varsity Line’ in ‘OO’ gauge for exhibition display. Photography, Mike Wild.
Ashbury Wharf
Lying almost forgotten for years, this vintage ‘OO9’ gauge layout was resurrected by its home club Astolat Model Railway Circle and is now returning to life for a brand-new audience. Photography, Trevor Jones.
Gravesdown SOUTH
The transition from hydraulics to diesel-electrics is the subject of BRIAN TAMPLIN’S ‘OO’ gauge layout, which depicts the spectacle of the Western Region in the 1970s to grand effect in a modular format.
Twelve Trees Junction: THE TRAINS
Hornby Magazine’s busy Southern Region junction layout hasn’t been out on show for almost two years, but there have been plenty of new additions to its roster. MIKE WILD takes a closer look at the locomotives and rolling stock which allow Twelve Trees Junction to reflect the final decade of steam on the Southern. Photography, Mike Wild.
Best layouts of all time
More than 470 layouts have graced the pages of Hornby Magazine since our first issue in March 2007. For this special feature we went back into the archives to pick an outstanding crop of 10.
Theobald’s Yard
Orpington and District Model Railway Society chose a multi-gauge scenario for its busy 7mm scale industrial layout. MARTIN COOMBS and the operating team reveal how and why it was built - and what is next for its future. Photography, Trevor Jones.
Middleton-in-Teesdale
This ‘OO’ gauge layout depicts a rural branch line in Yorkshire in the years before the Second World War. Built by the De Havilland MRS, MIKE WORSLEY explains its genesis and construction. Photography, Trevor Jones.
Pempoul
A diversion into the beautiful metre gauge railways of Britanny reveals a stunning layout created in 1:50 scale. Master model makers GORDON and MAGGIE GRAVETT explain the story of this outstanding model which is now on permanent display as part of the Ashford International Model Railway Education Centre. Photography, Trevor Jones.
Eden Road TMD
Drawing on Direct Rail Services’ often eclectic fleet, RYAN GRAY of Cupar & District MRC created this ‘OO’ gauge depot scene which offers immense variety in its operation and fleet.
HEATON LODGE JUNCTION
Billed as Britain’s Biggest Model Railway, this epic ‘O’ gauge layout of a famous junction is nearing completion. Builder SIMON GEORGE explains the creation of this 1980s scene. Photography, Mike Wild.
Ambleton Vale
The transition years of the 1960s have been captured delightfully in ‘N’ gauge by RAY TAYLOR and ANNA BASS, who reveal the inspiration for their joint creation. Photography, Mike Wild.
GORPETON BLYMEE
The Great Western Railway just before nationalisation is the setting for this atmospheric terminus layout in ‘OO’ gauge. GORDON EDGAR describes how he and Peter Wilson created it. Photography, Trevor Jones.
Cherry Orchard
It is almost 30 years since RON BAILES embarked on the creation of this impressive 7mm scale layout which combines standard and narrow gauge operation. He explains how it has tripled in length from the original design to deliver an impressive 36ft long exhibition model of an East Anglian brick works.
St Cuthbert’s
A sleepy termimus in the Scottish Borders just before the Beeching cuts is the setting for Thistle Modelmakers’ ‘OO’ gauge exhibition layout, which was designed for members of all abilities. STEVE BENJAMIN explains its creation. Photography, Mike Bisset.
Immingham Depot
The operations in and around the busy port of Immingham are the focus for this impressive ‘OO’ gauge layout at the Immingham Museum and Heritage Centre. STEPHEN RICHARDS reveals the story behind its creation. Photography, Mike Wild.
SHENSTON ROAD
Career railwayman GREG BROOKES set out to recreate the Midlands around Birmingham in the final years of the 1960s when BR green and maroon were giving way to corporate blue. Shenston Road is the result of an 18-year journey in 4mm scale modelling which continues to this day. Photography, Mike Wild.
BRADWELL POINT
Nuclear flask traffic is one of the railway’s more unusual loads. MARCUS LAMBERT created a stunning terminal in ‘OO’ to showcase the operation in the eras just before and after privatisation. Photography, Trevor Jones.
ILKESTON TOWN
Nottingham Model Railway Society set out to model a prototypical scene from the LMS era in ‘OO’ gauge. DAVEY JONES explains the story behind Ilkeston Town. Photography, Mike Bisset.
Yorkshire Dales Model Railway
The Keighley and Worth Valley and North Yorkshire Moors railways were part of the inspiration for LEWIS BUCKNELL’S superb ‘OO’ gauge loft layout. We visited this brilliant 32ft long model to discover how it all goes together to create an 80ft running line. Photography, Mike Wild.
Seven Mill Depot
With just three weeks available the Hornby Magazine team set out to build its first ‘O’ gauge exhibition layout to form part of a multi-scale display at the Warley National Model Railway Exhibition in November 2019. MIKE WILD reveals how it was done and explains the story of this compact depot layout.
Cornwallis Yard
Cornwallis Yard models a fictional Great Western Railway setting in the Plymouth area between 1935 and 1936. DAVID AND ALISON BARKER reveal the story of this superbly modelled ‘EM’ gauge layout which was originally started by Bob Haskins. Photography, Trevor Jones.
Churminster and Stowe Magna, Southern Railway
The Southern Railway in the final decade before nationalisation is the setting for TONY TEAGUE’S huge 32ft long ‘OO’ gauge layout. In this introduction he reveals the first completed sections of his lifetime project. Photography, Trevor Jones.
Chilcompton Tunnel
A gorgeous recreation of the Somerset & Dorset Railway in 'OO' gauge was Steve Jones' aim, and this beautiful exhibition layout recaptures the days of the S&D before its premature closure. Photography, Trevor Jones.
Norwood Road
An unidentified operating incident has given SIMON PALEY licence to offer a wonderful variety of trains on this ‘OO’ gauge South London layout. Photography, Mike Wild.