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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 Rail Adventure IGA Cargowaggon flat wagons Review Premium

Heljan's Rail Adventure IGA Cargowaggon flat wagons

A new batch of Cargowaggon IGAs has arrived for ‘OO’. MIKE WILD inspects the fascinating Rail Adventure twin pack.

Railways of South West Scotland Review Premium

BOOK REVIEW: Railways of South West Scotland

NEW from Key Books, this latest picture volume focuses on the rail network in and around South West Scotland For added variety, the authors have opted to reflect the areas in two specific time periods – 1960 to 1980 and 2001-2021.

Woodhead Lament Review Premium

BOOK REVIEW: Woodhead Lament

For fans of the much missed Woodhead route between Manchester and Sheffield, this all-new picture album is sure to prove popular - especially for those who knew the line.

Edward Thompson: Wartime CME Review Premium

BOOK REVIEW: Edward Thompson: Wartime CME

New from Strathwood Publishing is this detailed work on Edward Thompson, the London and North Eastern Railway’s (LNER) controversial - to some - Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME), during the Second World War.

Rail Freight in Hampshire Review Premium

BOOK REVIEW: Rail Freight in Hampshire

Hampshire's rail network has generated a considerable amount of freight traffic through the years – and continues to do so. This latest book from Amberley recalls some of the highlights from the 1980s to the present day.

HST: The train that saved Britain’s railways Review Premium

BOOK REVIEW: HST - The train that saved Britain’s railways

New from Crecy Publishing is this colourful photographic tribute to British Rail’s InterCity 125 High Speed Train (HST). Following its introduction to service in 1976, the HST transformed InterCity services, acting in an almost ambassadorial way and this book relives that story.

London's Historic Railway Terminal Stations Review Premium

BOOK REVIEW: London’s Historic Railway Terminal Stations

If the magnificence of London’s terminus stations fascinates you, then this illustrated history from Pen and Sword is bound to be of interest.

Hornby East Coast surrogate DVT R40162 Review Freemium

Hornby's East Coast Surrogate DVT for ‘OO’

The arrival of the Class 91s in 1988 heralded the start of a new era of electric traction on the East Coast Main Line (ECML) and Hornby is marking that with the arrival of its model of surrogate Driving Van Trailer 43013 as a solo item.

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BOOK REVIEW: How a Steam Locomotive Works

If you have ever wondered how a steam locomotive works, then this book should provide the necessary insight.

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BR Blue: The North in Focus

British Rail's operations in northern Britain through the late 1970s and early 1980s are the focus of this recent book from Amberley Publishing, with plenty of BR blue diesel and electric traction on view.

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BOOK REVIEW: Rail Freight: Scotland

While there has been much change to the rail freight scene in Scotland, there is still plenty to be positive about and this latest picture album from Key Books helps reflect this.

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BOOK REVIEW: The Class 37s by Key Publishing

This recent picture volume from Key Books focuses on British Rail’s popular English Electric Type 3s in later years.

Heljan O gauge Class 31 Review Premium

REVIEWED: Heljan's refurbished Class 31 for 'O'

The Brush built Class 31s are popular and long-lived locomotives which have carried a huge number of colour schemes. MIKE WILD inspects the all-new model of the A1A-A1A design in refurbished form for 7mm scale from Heljan.

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Dapol releases Vanwides and VEAs for 'O' gauge

Dapol's long-awaited ‘O’ gauge BR 12ton Vanwide ventilated box van is finally here, adding a new wagon to the manufacturer’s portfolio.

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Revolution IWAs arrive

The IWA holdall bogie vans are the latest ‘OO’ gauge ready-to-run freight wagons to dock with Revolution Trains. MIKE WILD reviews these new arrivals.

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Rails’ Caley ‘812’ is here!

Pure Scottish based ready-to-run locomotives are rare, but Rails of Sheffield has bucked the trend with this magnificent ‘OO’ gauge commission from Bachmann. MIKE WILD discovers what this longstanding 0-6-0 has to offer together with video of the model in action.

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Hornby LNER ‘Azuma’ Class 800/2 arrives

New liveries have been hotly anticipated on the Hornby Class 800 unit. RICHARD WATSON inspects the first LNER liveried set to arrive for 'OO' gauge.

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Cavalex Models BLA for 'OO'

The BLA steel coil carriers first appeared as an exclusive limited edition with Rails of Sheffield, but now they are available widely from Cavalex retailers. MIKE WILD takes a look at this exceptionally detailed follow up to the BBA.

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BOOK REVIEW: Class 442s: The Wessex Electrics

New from Key Books is this title dedicated to British Rail’s Class 442 Electric Multiple Units (EMUs).

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Westhill Wagon Works 3D-printed depot accessories

Westhill Wagon Works’ range of 3D-printed scenic accessories includes an impressive range of depot and engineers’ equipment including these detailed access platforms and a drainage vacuum tank – or sludge gulper!

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Modelu’s 3D-printed creamery workers

Modelu’s extensive collection of 3D-printed finescale figures now includes a selection of creamery workers in a variety of realistic poses.

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Gaugemaster telephone boxes and relay cabinets

Gaugemaster’s range of ‘OO’ and ‘N’ gauge 3D-printed scenic accessories is bolstered with the addition of these packs containing classic K6 telephone kiosks, lineside relay boxes and roadside telecommunications cabinets.

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Albion Hobbies 'HO' scale spruce trees

Model Scene’s range of scenic materials includes a wide range of flocks, turfs, bushes, leaves and trees, including these ‘HO’ scale spruces.

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SMS tri-spike palisade security fence

Security conscious modellers of modern day scenes will find this pack of tri-spike palisade security fencing from Scale Model Scenery useful.

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SMS weathered slates and tiles

Scale Model Scenery’s extensive range of laser-cut kits and accessories includes these useful packs of weathered roof slates and terracotta tiles.

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Bachmann renews its Class 20

The Class 20 was one of the first main line production diesel locomotives when it entered service in 1957 and now Bachmann has gone back to the drawing board to offer a present day version of this long-standing workhorse for ‘OO’. MIKE WILD takes a closer look.

Dapol GWR '5101' 2-6-2T review Review Premium

Dapol delivers its ‘Large Prairie’

The Great Western is in favour at Dapol for ‘OO’ gauge with the arrival of its hotly anticipated Collett ‘5101’ and ‘61XX’ 2-6-2Ts. Mike Wild runs the rule over these enticing locomotives. Now including model demonstration video.

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Hornby's Gresley 'W1' 4-6-4

It’s here! Hornby’s brand-new model of the unique Gresley ‘W1’ 4-6-4 in original condition arrived in December, and is already in short supply. MIKE WILD inspects one of the most eagerly anticipated models from Hornby for 'OO' gauge. Read our full review and watch our video showcasing the model in action on Topley Dale.

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Tara Mines ore wagons

Irish Railway Models has taken delivery of a perfect partner to its recently released Metro-Vick A Class diesels –a new batch of Tara Mines bogie ore wagons for ‘OO’. MIKE WILD checks them out.

Westhill Wagon Works Elite magnetic couplings Review Premium

Elite buckeye magnetic couplings

WEST HILL WAGON Works continues to expand its range of magnetic Hunt Couplings which now also includes a collection of ‘dummy’ buckeye style Elite couplings.