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.
Heljan’s upgraded OO Gauge Class 33 locomotives
Heljan’s well-regarded ‘OO’ gauge Class 33s are back sporting a series of upgrades covering the Hastings gauge Class 33/2 and the push-pull equipped Class 33/1.
MARK CHIVERS
Railfreight in the 21st Century
Always of interest to railway enthusiasts and modellers alike are the operation and formation of freight trains. Over the last two decades the railfreight scene has changed substantially and this book reflects many of these changes since the year 2000.
JONATHAN NEWTON
Railways in South Yorkshire – Four Decades of Change
The railway across South Yorkshire has changed significantly since the 1970s and this latest book from Key Publishing recalls how the rail network has adapted since then to the present day scene.
JONATHAN NEWTON
Modelling British Railways Modern Freight Locomotives
This latest title in the series of Modelling British Railways bookazines from Key Publishing focuses on modern-era freight locomotives and the various models available ‘off-the-shelf’ across ‘OO’, ‘N’ and ‘O’ gauge.
MARK CHIVERS
Classic Diesel Years: Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh and Wick
New from Stenlake Publishing is this new monochrome picture album devoted to the Far North lines between Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh, Thurso and Wick during the 1980s diesel era.
MARK CHIVERS
Class 47s – The Jack of All Trades
Mark V. Pike’s latest picture volume provides a highly illustrated portrait of Class 47 diesel locomotives at work across the UK from 1985 to the present day and features the class in a wide variety of liveries from the final years of corporate BR blue to more recent privatised freight company schemes.
JONATHAN NEWTON
British Rail Traction Maintenance Depots Part 1: Northern England
A new series of publications showcasing British Rail Traction Maintenance Depots (TMDs) from Platform 5 opens with this volume dedicated to locations in Northern England between 1974 and 1993. More will follow.
MARK CHIVERS
Dapol ‘N’ gauge Class 142 ‘Pacer’
The ‘Pacer’ family of DMUs have never been the most popular with passengers, yet modellers have been keen to add this distinctive utilitarian trains to their fleet. Dapol added it's long awaited ‘N’ gauge model of the Class 142 in 2019 – MIKE WILD takes a closer look.
MIKE WILD
Oxford Rail ‘N7’ 0-6-2T debuts
The Great Eastern Railway’s ‘N7’ 0-6-2Ts were powerful and capable suburban tank engines and now for the first time we can own one in ‘OO’ gauge. MIKE WILD inspects this Oxford Rail product.
MIKE WILD
Hornby’s Crimson Lake streamlined 'Princess Coronation' 4-6-2s
The new Hornby streamlined ‘Princess Coronation’ 4-6-2 arrived in March 2019 carrying LMS Crimson Lake colour scheme with gold lining and modelling 6229 Duchess of Hamilton and 6244 King George VI. Read our review of these stunning locomotives here.
MIKE WILD
KR Models delivers its Palbrick wagons for 'OO' gauge
The late-1950s saw the introduction of the Palbrick wagon fleet for the transport of bricks. Mike Wild inspects the first ever ready-to-run ‘OO’ gauge model of these distinctive wagons from KR Models.
MIKE WILD
Rapido Trains UK GWR ‘Iron Mink’ vans
Rapido Trains UK’s eagerly-awaited all-new ‘OO’ gauge Great Western Railway (GWR) ‘Iron Mink’ vans have arrived.
MARK CHIVERS
Rapido releases 'OO' gauge Ferry Vans
New from Rapido Trains UK are these all-new ‘OO’ gauge BR 20ton ferry vans. We take a closer look at this new box to discover what it has to offer.
MARK CHIVERS
Tiger expands Hornby pioneer collection
Hornby has released its follow up to the 2022 model of 0-4-2 Lion in the form of classmate Tiger. MIKE WILD inspects the latest early railway locomotive to arrive for ‘OO’ gauge.
MIKE IWLD
Hornby’s Lion for ‘OO’ gauge
The Liverpool & Manchester Railway’s 1838-built 0-4-2 Lion is the subject of Hornby’s latest locomotive release. With an intriguing and complex history, MIKE WILD takes a detailed look at this intricate new addition.
MIKE WILD
Sonic Models GCR ‘A5’ 4-6-2T debuts for OO gauge
A new name in ‘OO’ gauge ready-to-run has delivered its first ready-to-run locomotive – the Great Central Railway ‘A5’ 4-6-2T. MIKE WILD takes a closer look at this enticing new addition for Eastern Region modellers.
MIKE WILD
Hornby’s bow-end suburban stock debuts
Hornby has been providing top quality passenger rolling stock for over a decade now. We inspect Hornby's bow-end suburban coaches for 'OO' gauge.
MIKE WILD
FIRST LOOK: Hornby launches Bluetooth HM DCC and Triplex Sound
The world of digital is about to be turned on its head with the arrival of Hornby’s new HM DCC Bluetooth control system. MIKE WILD gets to grips with this new way to control your trains and assesses its value.
MIKE WILD
Kernow delivers ‘O’ gauge LSWR van
We inspect Kernow Model Rail Centre's 'O' gauge ready-to-run model of the LSWR Diagram 1410 box van. Read the full review here.
RICHARD HALL
Dapol’s anchor-mounted tanker arrives for ‘O’ gauge
First announced in November 2020, Dapol’s all-new ‘O’ gauge 14ton anchor-mounted tank wagon is now available. We check out this addition to the manufacturers growing collection of steam era goods wagons.
Revolution Trains 'N' gauge JNA-T box wagons
Reflecting the present-day rail scene, Revolution Trains has delivered a kaleidoscope of colour with its latest ‘N’ gauge project, the MMA-A/JNA-T bogie box wagons. MARK CHIVERS inspects these newly-tooled ‘N’ gauge arrivals.
MARK CHVIERS
Twin Track Sound vent van in ‘OO’ gauge
Digital sound is an enthralling part of the model railway scene and Hornby has sought to bring even more value to ‘OO’ gauge with the introduction of its Twin Track Sound fitted Western Region style ventilated van.
MIKE WILD
Hornby’s ‘J36’ 0-6-0 for OO gauge
The first batch of Hornby’s highly anticipated LNER ‘J36’ 0-6-0s arrived at the end of December. MIKE WILD gives BR liveried 65311 a once over.
MIKE WILD
EFE Rail’s LSWR Cross-Country Coaches
EFE Rail has added a new set of 'OO' gauge LSWR coaches to its range. MARK CHIVERS inspects these latest arrivals.
MARK CHIVERS
Bachmann’s Quarry Hunslet for 'OO9' gauge
The tiny and delightful Quarry Hunslet 0-4-0ST is here for ‘OO9’ narrow gauge. MIKE WILD takes a closer look at this diminutive new release.
MIKE WILD
Rapido Trains UK Hunslet 16in 0-6-0ST
Hunslet locomotives are popular subjects, but the 1923-introduced 16in 0-6-0ST has never been available before ready-to-run. MIKE WILD inspects Rapido Trains’ all-new ‘OO’ gauge version.
MIKE WILD
Modelu Class 45 crew figures
ModelU has added two sets of 4mm scale locomotive crew suitable for Heljan’s all-new ‘OO’ gauge Class 45 diesel to its range of 3D-printed figures and accessories.
JONATHAN NEWTON
Weathering stencils from Artool
Using these ingenious laser-cut stencil greatly simplifies the creation of random weathering patterns such as rust and flaking paintwork.
TIM SHACKLETON
EFE Rail releases 'OO' gauge Sea Urchin
New from Bachmann’s ‘OO’ gauge EFE Rail range is this ZCA ‘Sea Urchin’ engineers’ spoil open wagon.
MARK CHIVERS
Graham Farish's all-new Class 90 for ‘N’
Graham Farish has released its hotly anticipated all-new Class 90 AC electric for ‘N’ gauge. MIKE WILD takes a closer look at this enticing new addition.
MIKE WILD