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.
Collingwood - A 'OO' gauge Southern region model railway
The privatisation era on the West Coastway route is the setting for SIMON PALEY to showcase the variety of trains and liveries over the last decade in 'OO' scale on his model railway.
BOTTOM WORKS SIDINGS - A WOODHEAD SHUNTING LAYOUT
South Yorkshire is the setting for CHRIS MATTHEWS’ compact 'OO' gauge exhibition layout, depicting a set of British Steel exchange sidings in the 1970s. Read the full feature here with extra unseen images!
Dubmill Sidings – the 1960s in ‘O’ gauge
Steve Thompson’s ‘O’ gauge layout, Dubmill Sidings, was very much a family affair, with partners, children, and soon grandchildren playing a part in the construction and exhibition of this wonderful BR diesel scene. Discover its full story in this feature from the Hornby Magazine archive.
Steve Thompson
Harford Street - early East London in 'OO'
This outstanding urban scene has been through several rebuilds as CHARLIE AND JIM CONNOR aspire to create their definitive model of East London in the early BR steam era. Join us as we journey back in time to the London suburbs shortly after the Second World War.
Orleton Road - Western region in the 1940s
Recreating a famous layout by Peter Denny in ’OO’ gauge looked like an easy project for DAN EVASON. However, fitting it into a garage presented some intriguing challenges, as Dan explains.
Greenford Broadway - a London Underground Micro layout
TONY DEAN’s longstanding love of London suburban services set the stage for his fascinating compact micro layout in ‘OO’ gauge.
Roxby Town - Modern multi-level ‘N’ gauge layout
This action packed multi-level ‘N’ gauge layout is one of 30 booked to take part in the 2022 Great Electric Train Show this October. GEOFF BUTTLER explains its story and how it operates.
Sydney Gardens - Bath's famous railway line in 'OO'
One of England’s most iconic locations – the Western Region main line running through the heart of Bath – is recreated in exacting detail in ‘OO’ scale by ‘The Park Keepers’. Following its recent appearance at the Great Electric Train Show STEVE JONES explains how this exhibition layout was created. Photography, Trevor Jones.
Boscawen Junction - Cornish inspired 'N' gauge
The railways of Cornwall in the 1990s were the inspiration for DANIEL HARRIS to build this compact and attractive ‘N’ gauge layout which could easily fit in a typical home environment. Dan explains how it was built.
PETE WATERMAN'S MAKING TRACKS II
This summer Pete Waterman and the Railnuts group are returning to Chester Cathedral to display a brand-new West Coast Main Line themed 'OO’ gauge layout for ten weeks. MIKE WILD reveals the full story behind Making Tracks II.
South Road Junction - Scottish Borders in 'OO'
The Scottish Borders is the setting for BOB BRUCE’s ‘OO’ gauge layout, capturing the last years of steam in this beautiful part of the 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.