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.
Humbrol sanding pads
Recently added to the Humbrol range of tools and modelling materials are these new flexible sanding pads.
JONATHAN NEWTONHornby magnetic couplings for OO gauge
The first of Hornby’s new magnetic couplings are now available in multi-coupling packs.
JONATHAN NEWTONBachmann Webb ‘Coal Tank’ 0-6-2T
For its latest venture into pre-Grouping subjects, Bachmann has selected a versatile LNWR locomotive which gave sterling service from the late Victorian era until the late-1950s. BEN JONES takes a closer look.
Hornby’s Peckett ‘W4’ 0-4-0ST
With strong pre-orders even before its initial release in 2016 release, expectations were high for Hornby’s diminutive saddle tank. MIKE WILD takes a closer look to see whether this tiny steam locomotive can satisfy its demanding audience.
MIKE WILDBachmann's Network Rail MPV for OO gauge
Bachmann’s model of the Network Rail Multiple Purpose Vehicle (MPV) made its debut in 2011 and offered contemporary layout builders the opportunity to purchase an unusual model of an enthralling prototype in ‘OO’. A new batch of these unusual vehicles is coming soon. Check out what we thought of the original release.
MIKE WILDBachmann's ‘OO’ Wickham Trolley is a tiny marvel
The Wickham trolley might not be a first choice as a ready-to-run model, but Bachmann has created a beautiful model all the same. MARK CHIVERS runs the rule over this miniature Type 27 variant.
MARK CHIVERSIndustrial Storage Shed
A brand new 4mm scale laser-cut industrial storage shed kit is now available from Scale Model Scenery.
JONATHAN NEWTONLaser-cut lamp huts
Recent additions to the Scale Model Scenery range of laser-cut detailing accessories includes these 4mm scale Great Western Railway (GWR) and London, Midland & Scottish Railway (LMS) lamp huts.
JONATHAN NEWTONDCC Concepts Legacy LED lamps
DCC Concepts has recently reintroduced its extensive collection of ‘OO’ gauge lamps, as part of its Legacy Models range.
JONATHAN NEWTONDylington Custard ‘ghost signs’
Scale Model Scenery’s range of model railway detailing accessories includes a selection of ‘ghost signs’, intended for applying to the sides of old buildings to represent a long-gone business, including this pack advertising Dylington Custard.
JONATHAN NEWTONPeco’s Flexi Loco Lift
Peco’s range of model railway track and accessories includes this recently introduced multi-gauge Flexi Loco Lift which can be adapted for use across all scales from ‘N’ to ‘EM’.
JONATHAN NEWTONRNAD wagons arrive from Bachmann
A new collection of Royal Naval Armaments Depot wagons has been created by Bachmann for its narrow gauge collection. MIKE WILD inspects two of the new arrivals for ‘OO9’.
MIKE WILDKernow Model Rail Centre's Beattie ‘0298’
Kernow Model Rail Centre’s Beattie ‘Well Tank’ project is bearing fruit with all four livery variations now approved for production (see Update) and the first Southern Railway liveried variant arriving in the
MIKE WILDNew 'OO' gauge ‘Hymeks’ from Heljan
The popular Class 35 ‘Hymek’ is back from Heljan with an upgraded chassis. MIKE WILD inspects a classic BR two-tone green version of the Western Region hydraulic.
MIKE WILDRapido’s Conflat P for ‘N’ gauge
New for ‘N’ gauge is Rapido Trains’ model of the Conflat P – a wagon type synonymous with the ‘Condor’ container train of the 1960s. MIKE WILD reveals all.
MIKE WILD‘N’ gauge Co-Bo from Rapido Trains
Rapido Trains UK has released its first ready-to-run ‘N’ gauge powered locomotive modelling the characterful but spectacularly unreliable Co-Bo diesels. MIKE WILD casts his eye over this new arrival.
MIKE WILDBook review: Industrial Railways
Freight topics are particularly popular due to the varied nature of the payloads through the years and this latest volume from Amberley Publishing highlights some of the heavy freight diesel locomotives that were introduced by British Rail (and its successors) from the 1970s onwards.
JONATHAN NEWTONBook Review: The East Coast Main Line – Peterborough to York
New from Amberley Publishing is this picture album showcasing the present-day rail scene on the East Coast Main Line (ECML) - a route with a long and storied history.
JONATHAN NEWTONBook Review: Heavy Freight Locomotives
Freight topics are particularly popular due to the varied nature of the payloads through the years and this latest volume from Amberley Publishing highlights some of the heavy freight diesel locomotives that were introduced by British Rail (and its successors) from the 1970s onwards.
JONATHAN NEWTONBook Review: Class 50s
This recent publication from Key Books recalls British Rail’s popular Class 50 locomotives, one of the most loved and popular classes that still has a strong following to this day.
JONATHAN NEWTONBR First Generation DMUs
Hugh Longworth’s long-out-of-print reference work British Railways First Generation DMUs returns with revised text and the addition of colour photographs.
MARK CHIVERSBook Review: GWR Locomotives - the Prairies
The Great Western Railway (GWR) 2-6-2T ‘Prairies’ were some of Churchward’s earliest designs boasting two basic types: the smaller version for branch lines and the large type for outer suburban work in London and Birmingham.
JONATHAN NEWTONHattons wows with Metrovick’s ugly duckling
BR’s Modernisation Plan brought with it a raft of pilot scheme diesel locomotives and amongst those was the Metropolitan-Vickers Co-Bo – one of the more unusual and arresting designs of the era.
MIKE WILDHeljan revitalises the Class 14
The Swindon-built Class 14 0-6-0DHs have been refreshed for a new lease of life with Heljan. MIKE WILD inspects one of the new batch.
MIKE WILDHornby's Avanti Class 390 Pride liveried coaches
Following the recent release of Hornby’s ‘OO’ gauge Class 390 ‘Pendolino’ four-car train pack (Cat No. R30081) as 390119 in the distinctive Pride colour scheme (HM186), the matching centre cars are also now available.
MARK CHIVERSHornby's Drax Renewable Pioneers hoppers for 'OO' gauge
Hornby has released new versions of the IIA-D 102tonne Drax biomass hopper wagons which were introduced in 2013-2014.
MARK CHIVERSDapol delivers its Class 59 for 'OO' gauge
The American-built Electro-Motive Division Class 59 heavy-freight locomotives started a revolution in rail freight haulage. Dapol is looking to achieve the same with its all-new ‘OO’ gauge model. MIKE WILD finds out if it has succeeded.
MIKE WILDScale Model Scenery manholes and drain covers
New from Scale Model Scenery is this pack of 4mm scale laser-cut and engraved manhole and drain covers.
JONATHAN NEWTONWest Hill introduces ‘TT:120’ accessory range
New from West Hill Wagon Works are these all-new ‘TT:120’ scale 3D printed model railway accessories from the company’s range of lineside detailing.
MARK CHIVERSCorgi Trackside Dennis F12 Pump Escape
Corgi’s popular 1:76 scale Dennis F12 Pump Escape fire engine returns in the manufacturer's trackside range, now finished in City of Coventry yellow.
JONATHAN NEWTON