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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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.