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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.

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West Hill introduces ‘TT:120’ accessory range

MARK CHIVERS

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 CHIVERS
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Corgi Trackside Dennis F12 Pump Escape

JONATHAN NEWTON

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
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West Hill Wagon Works 3D printed garden railway

MARK CHIVERS

West Hill Wagon Works has added a novel 4mm scale garden railway to its range of 3D printed model railway accessories and detailing.

MARK CHIVERS
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Revolution Trains IPA car carriers for OO gauge

MARK CHIVERS

Newly-arrived from Revolution Trains are these eye-catching ‘OO’ gauge IPA car carriers which are available in quad and twin set formats. Mark Chivers takes a detailed look at a covered quad set.

MARK CHIVERS
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Accurascale’s HBA, HDA and HMA hoppers

MIKE WILD

Accurascale’s collection of HAA family coal hoppers has expanded with the arrival of the HBA, HDA and HMA variants. MIKE WILD finds out what makes them stand out from the crowd.

MIKE WILD
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Ellis Clark Trains ‘Teak’ Thompsons touch down!

MARK CHIVERS

Ellis Clark Trains has taken delivery of its exclusive faux teak ‘O’ gauge Thompson main line carriages from Darstaed. MARK CHIVERS takes a closer look at these new arrivals.

MARK CHIVERS
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Scammell low loaders

JONATHAN NEWTON

Corgi has added two new versions of its 1:76 scale Scammell low loader to the Trackside range of die-cast vehicles.

JONATHAN NEWTON
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Hornby releases Mk 3 Maglights lighting strips

MARK CHIVERS

With the recent arrival of Hornby’s newly-tooled BR Mk 3 High Speed Train (HST) trailer cars (HM187), it has also released a new version of its Maglight lighting unit specifically for these vehicles.

MARK CHIVERS
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Peco’s ‘N’ gauge next generation seven-plank opens

MARK CHIVERS

New from Peco are these freshly-tooled ‘N’ gauge seven-plank open wagons.

MARK CHIVERS
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Exploring Britain’s Disused Railways

JONATHAN NEWTON

The Victorian ’railway mania’ resulted in the UK being covered near and far with main lines, secondary lines and branch lines. With the introduction of motorways and families being able to afford their own motor car, many of these railways were closed, lifted and lost forever.

JONATHAN NEWTON
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Electrics for the Railway Modeller

JONATHAN NEWTON

In this fast-paced world, little stays the same for long, it seems. This certainly applies to the seemingly complex topic of model railway electrics, which is often the very aspect of the hobby that is the most daunting and off-putting for both experienced modellers and those new to the craft.

JONATHAN NEWTON
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Exploring Exeter’s Railways

MARK CHIVERS

New from Silver Link Books is this impressive work showcasing the rail network in and around Exeter in Devon.

MARK CHIVERS
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Rail Freight The Midlands

MARK CHIVERS

This latest release from Key Books focuses on railfreight in the Midlands from the 1980s to the present day.

MARK CHIVERS
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Mail by Rail

JONATHAN NEWTON

The carriage of mail by rail first began shortly after the Liverpool & Manchester Railway opened in 1830 and has continued in one form or another – along with the odd hiatus –  through to a more streamlined form today.

JONATHAN NEWTON
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Steam Around Leeds in the 1960s

JONATHAN NEWTON

Leeds was a real hotspot for steam in the 1960s with its leading shed 55A Holbeck home to the last of the Stanier ’Jubilee' 4-6-0s. Yorkshire was one of the crucibles of the railway and steam lasted almost until the very end of BR service there.

JONATHAN NEWTON
Hornby HST for OO gauge. Review Premium

Hornby's all-new High Speed Train

MIKE WILD

The iconic British Rail Class 43 power cars have held sway in frontline main line service for more than 45 years and Hornby has revisited the high-speed diesels with a brand-new tooling. MIKE WILD takes a closer look.

MIKE WILD
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Hornby LNER ‘B12’ 4-6-0 for 'OO' gauge

MIKE WILD

The Great Eastern section has gained great momentum in ready-to-run locomotives over the past two years – and the latest arrival is Hornby’s spectacular ‘OO’ gauge model of the ‘B12/3’ 4-6-0. MIKE WILD takes an exclusive first look at the soon to be released production model.

MIKE WILD
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Heljan’s all-new Class 26 and 27 for 'O' gauge

MIKE WILD

The BRCW Class 26 and 27 Bo-Bo diesel-electrics are synonymous with Scotland and now brand-new models are available for ‘O’ gauge from Heljan. MIKE WILD checks out these exciting arrivals.

MIKE WILD
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Heljan's 'O' gauge Class 25/3 Bo-Bo diesel

MIKE WILD

The BR Sulzer Type 2s are popular locomotives in every scale. MIKE WILD reviews Heljan's detailed models of the Class 25/3 for 'O' gauge.

MIKE WILD
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BOOK REVIEW: Along Welsh lines

MARK CHIVERS

Amongst the recent book releases from Pen & Sword is this substantial picture volume of the rail network taking in South Wales and the Central Wales line in the late 20th Century.

MARK CHIVERS
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BOOK REVIEW: English Electric Class 37/4s

Marck Chivers

British Rail’s English Electric Class 37/4s have proved to be remarkably versatile locomotives, evidenced by the fact that some remain in front line service today, more than 35 years after conversion from standard class members.

Marck Chivers
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BOOK REVIEW: Class 47 adventures

MARK CHIVERS

A recent addition to the Key Books portfolio from Key Publishing is this latest edition on Class 47s by Ian McLean. This is the third book in the series on Class 47s and covers movements from Inverness to Newquay.

MARK CHIVERS
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BOOK REVIEW: Main Line to the South

MARK CHIVERS

​​​​​​​This recent tome from Irwell Press is the second in the series focussing on the South Western Main Line between Basingstoke and Southampton.

MARK CHIVERS
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BOOK REVIEW: Modelling British Railways Railfreight Sub-Sectors

MARK CHIVERS

New from Key Publishing is this latest bookazine in the Modelling British Railways series, dedicated to Railfreight sub-sectors.

MARK CHIVERS
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BOOK REVIEW: Class 33s

MARK CHIVERS

New from Key Books is this picture album showcasing BR Southern Region’s popular Class 33 Bo-Bo diesels.

MARK CHIVERS
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Hornby’s 'OO' gauge Class 87 Bo-Bo electric

MIKE WILD

AC overhead electric have become popular subjects for ready-to-run locomotives in ‘OO’ gauge. MIKE WILD casts his eye over the Hornby Class 87 for 'OO' gauge in the detailed review.

MIKE WILD
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Locomotion’s ES1 electric for ‘OO’ gauge

MIKE WILD

The pioneering North Eastern Railway steeple cab electric is the subject of the latest collaboration between Locomotion Models, Rails of Sheffield and Heljan. MIKE WILD takes a detailed look at this new release ahead of its arrival in December.

MIKE WILD
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Hornby Maunsell ‘S15’ in detail

MIKE WILD

The Southern Region was best known for its express locomotives, but freight was an important part of its business too. In this review MIKE WILD takes a detailed look at Hornby’s model of the Maunsell ‘S15’ – the Southern’s freight 4-6-0.

MIKE WILD
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Hornby Pride Pendolino for 'OO' gauge

MARK CHIVERS

Hornby’s eagerly-awaited ‘OO’ gauge model of Avanti West Coast’s vivid Pride-liveried ‘Pendolino’ has arrived with retailers. MARK CHIVERS casts his eyes over this colourful new release.

MARK CHIVERS
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Hornby’s adds new KFA container wagons for OO gauge

MIKE WILD

New from Hornby is this trio of ‘OO’ gauge KFA container flat wagons which model vehicles built in the late 1980s in Finland for use with Tiphook leasing in the UK.

MIKE WILD