Layout features

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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 Swindon

Neil Mason.

EXTRA IMAGES! The very end of Western Region steam and the transition to diesel-hydraulics is the setting for this expansive ‘N’ gauge exhibition layout which shows how Swindon was more than 50 years ago, as NEIL MASON explains.

Neil Mason.
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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 model railway layout. Feature Premium

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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.