REVIEWS
Read all the latest product reviews from the Hornby Magazine team covering 'OO', 'N' and 'O' gauge as well as a broad spectrum of model eras and product types. Plus, look out for the Video tag for feature videos included within reviews as well as the Hornby Magazine Express Video tag for our quick overview videos.
‘Big Four’ Fowler ‘4P’
With the first half of Hornby’s ‘Big Four’ collection having already arrived (HM200), commemorating the centenary of the formation of the ‘Big Four’, the latest representative in the quartet of models is now available in the form of the London, Midland & Scottish Railway (LMS) Fowler ‘4P’ 2-6-4T.
Flangeway updates ‘Salmons’
Following the initial release of its ‘Salmon’ bogie rail carrier wagons in 2022 (HM183), Flangeway Models has released a new contemporary-era version of the popular ‘OO’ gauge vehicles.
Accurascale’s Class 66 Revival
The Class 66 is a locomotive virtually no modern layout can be without. Accurascale has taken on and re-worked the Hattons Originals product for ‘OO’ gauge – MIKE WILD takes an exclusive look at the first production samples.
Commonwealth of Australia
In recent months Hornby has released a significant number of Gresley ‘A4’ 4-6-2s,primarily in its Hornby Dublo range as part of the Great Gathering 10th anniversary collection. This new ‘OO’ gauge ‘A4’ arrival is from the main range, but no less exciting as it represents one of the five Commonwealth-named ‘A4s’ in original condition, finished as 4491 Commonwealth of Australia.
Kernow GWR Steam Railmotor
A decade after its announcement, BEN CHURCH reviews this distinctive GWR train and asks whether the wait has been worthwhile.
BR Wagons Vol. 5
This latest volume in the series from Crecy about the acquired wagons of British Railways covers open goods wagons and continues from its predecessors and other books by David Larkin, providing a wealth of knowledge and insight.
Speedlink Freight
From Crecy Publishing comes this comprehensive guide to the ill-fated Speedlink wagon service, employed by British Railways from 1977 to 1991.
Scottish Evolution
In this 57th volume of Britain’s Railway Series, Ian Lothian turns his attention to the railways of central Scotland showing how they, the landscape, motive power and usage have changed over the last 40 years.
Welsh Inspiration
North Wales, the Snowdonia National Park and its surrounding landscape offer picturesque views of coasts, mountains, valleys and hills. Combined with the traditional slate industry that dominated the area, the region’s railways traverse very harsh environments whether on the North Wales Coast line or through the mountains.
1980s Motive Power
At the dawn of the 1980s the East Coast Main Line (ECML) was still the domain of the legendary Class 55 ‘Deltics’. Change was imminent though, as the 1980s saw the culling of several classic British diesel designs.
Colourful Class 31s
New from Key Publishing comes this illustrated guide for one of the most unappreciated British diesel designs. The Class 31s were built by Brush Traction from 1957 to 1962 and were born out of the modernisation plan of 1955, which called for the wholesale replacement of steam with diesel and electric traction on a like-for-like basis.
Rannoch Station
Modellers of the picturesque West Highland line will be pleased to see two new kits from Peco, bolstering its range of laser-cut wood kits (HM195) and providing new options for modellers of this scenic route.
3D Printed Armco Safety Barrier
New from West Hill Wagon Works are these ‘OO’ gauge 3D printed packs of Armco style safety barriers.
New Peco Wagon Load Kits
Peco has issued six useful kits to help detail ‘OO’ and ‘N’ gauge wagons with loads, suitable for wagons of all sizes.
New Grafar rolling stock rolls in
Bachmann’s Graham Farish range of British Railways Mk 1 and Mk 2f coaches has been significantly expanded with new liveries and running numbers.
1:76 scale Sultan
Trains4U has expanded its scope of British military 1:76 scale kits with a model of a FV105 Sultan army control and command vehicle.
Rusty Rails Trackside details
Rusty Rails has expanded its catalogue of 4mm scale trackside details with the addition of new Rawie fixed buffer stops and lineside telephones and signage poles.
EWS exclusive Class 37/4
The Bachmann Collectors Club range features this fine model of EWS liveried Class 37/4 37422 Cardiff Canton. MIKE WILD checks out the finer details.
BR 16ton steel mineral wagon for ‘N’
British Railways’ 16ton steel mineral wagon was one of the most ubiquitous wagons on the rails for decades and this all-new ‘N’ gauge wagon from Peco gives modellers another option for this versatile vehicle.
All-new Iron ore tippler in ‘N’ gauge
New from Peco is this newly-tooled ‘N’ gauge 27ton iron ore tippler wagon. They ran in block trains and as their name suggests they could be turned upside-down in a special tippler machine to unload their contents.
RailRoad Plus ‘Deltic’ with sound
New to Hornby’s RailRoad Plus range is this ‘OO’ gauge Class 55 ‘Deltic’, factory-fitted with Hornby’s innovative HM7000 Bluetooth and Digital Command Control (DCC) Triplex Sound (TXS) system.
Upgrade for RailRoad Class 110
Hornby’s venerable ‘OO’ gauge Class 110 Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) makes a welcome return to the RailRoad Plus range with enhanced decoration and improvements to the mechanical specification.
Hornby's Ruston 88DS 4wDM shunter lands
This delightful-looking ‘OO’ gauge model is now available. MARK CHIVERS finds out whether its performance matches its appearance.
EFE Rail’s Southern Electric ‘Boosters’
The 1940s Southern Railway ‘Booster’ electric locomotives are the subject of an all-new tooling from EFE Rail for ‘OO’ gauge. MIKE WILD inspects this new arrival.
Great Gathering anniversary collection – Part two
Last issue (HM200) we looked at the first half of the new Hornby Dublo Great Gathering tenth anniversary collection, and now the three remaining Gresley ‘A4s’ - 60007 (Cat No. R30266), 60008 (R30265) and 60009 (R30263) in BR condition are here.
FIRST REVIEW: Cavalex Models Class 56 for OO gauge
Cavalex Models’ debut powered model arrived at the end of January. MIKE WILD takes an exclusive look at the first production versions of this highly-anticipated ‘OO’ gauge locomotive.
DCC Power Bus Terminator
A further addition to the Hobby Trax range of electronic components is this pack of Digital Command Control (DCC) ‘Spike Buster’ terminators.
Beattie Well Tank Crew
MODELU has further expanded its range of engine crew designed for specific classes with this new pack for the diminutive LSWR ’0298’2-4-0WT in ‘OO’ gauge.
‘TT:120’ Tracksettas
Tracksetta templates are one of the most useful tools for modellers using flexible track, and these handy tools are now available for modellers in ‘TT:120’ scale.