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.
BOOK REVIEW: Class 47 adventures
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
BOOK REVIEW: Main Line to the South
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
BOOK REVIEW: Modelling British Railways Railfreight Sub-Sectors
New from Key Publishing is this latest bookazine in the Modelling British Railways series, dedicated to Railfreight sub-sectors.
MARK CHIVERS
BOOK REVIEW: Class 33s
New from Key Books is this picture album showcasing BR Southern Region’s popular Class 33 Bo-Bo diesels.
MARK CHIVERS
Hornby’s 'OO' gauge Class 87 Bo-Bo electric
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
Locomotion’s ES1 electric for ‘OO’ gauge
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
Hornby Maunsell ‘S15’ in detail
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
Hornby Pride Pendolino for 'OO' gauge
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
Hornby’s adds new KFA container wagons for OO gauge
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
Hornby's 'OO' gauge containers
Hornby has released additional packs of ‘OO’ gauge intermodal containers suitable for its KFA container flat wagons and other intermodal vehicles.
MARK CHIVERS
Accurascale magnetic chain couplings
Accurascale has added a pack of magnetic chain couplings to its range of ‘OO’ gauge accessories following on from the release of its Chaldron wagons.
MARK CHIVERS
Hornby Tri-ang Railways Remembered train pack for OO gauge
The first of Hornby’s Tri-ang Railways Remembered limited edition train sets has arrived in the form of ‘The Victorian’ which contains a GWR 4-2-2 and a pair of clerestory roof coaches. Find out more here.
Scale Model Scenery Mind the Step decals
New from Scale Model Scenery is this pack of 4mm scale ‘Mind the Step' decals designed for modern-era 4mm scale platforms.
MARK CHIVERS
Corgi GWR Thornycroft Nippy die-cast lorry
Corgi has added a new 1:76 scale model of its Thornycroft Nippy flatbed trailer in Great Western Railway (GWR) colours.
MARK CHIVERS
Hobbytrax analogue ‘stay-alive’
Hobbytrax has recently introduced a series of ‘stay-alive’ capacitors designed for ‘OO’ gauge analogue (DC) locomotives. We discover what they have to offer.
MARK CHIVERS
Corgi releases Ford Transit for OO gauge
Corgi’s 1:76 scale Trackside range of diecast models is bolstered with this Mk 1 Ford Transit in Express Dairy livery.
MARK CHIVERS
Cavalex Models HAA MGR hoppers arrive
The famous HAA hoppers are the subject of Cavalex’s latest release. MARK CHIVERS asseses how they compare to Accurascale’s recent version.
MARK CHIVERS
Oxford Diecast AEC 690 Concrete Mixer
New from Oxford Diecast is this 1:76 scale AEC 690 concrete mixer as a follow up to its dumper truck using the same cab and chassis style.
MARK CHIVERS
Bachmann adds Mainline Hunslet for 'OO9' narrow gauge
Revealed in Bachmann’s Winter announcements in November and already available in the shops, MIKE WILD checks out the latest arrival for ‘OO9’ – the Penrhyn Mainline Hunslet 0-4-0ST.
MIKE WILD
Hornby’s revitalised BR MK3s
The British Rail Mk 3 carriage is an essential part of the modern and recent railway scenes. Hornby has gone back to the drawing board to create a new collection of coaching stock, as MIKE WILD explains.
MIKE WILD
Rapido delivers SECR vans and ballast wagons
More South Eastern and Chatham Railway wagons have arrived from Rapido. MARK CHIVERS runs the rule over the latest vans and ballast wagons.
MARK CHIVERS
Accurascale delivers Coalfish for ‘OO’
Accurascale’s all-new ‘OO’ gauge MHA two-axle ballast/spoil wagons have arrived. MARK CHIVERS takes a closer look at these modern-era wagons.
MARK CHIVERS
Quarryman’s coaches from Peco
The Ffestiniog Railway’s Type 3 Quarryman’s coaches are the basis of a trio of new rolling stock releases from Peco for ‘OO9’ narrow gauge. MIKE WILD inspects the new arrivals.
MIKE WILD
FIRST REVIEW: It’s here – the Accurascale Class 92
The first thing you will say when you open the box to Accurascale’s first ready-to-run electric locomotive is “wow!”. MIKE WILD explains why as he delves into the world of the Brush-built dual-voltage electrics.
MIKE WILD
Hornby RailRoad BR Crosti '9F' 2-10-0
Hornby introduced the RailRoad Crosti ‘9F’ 2-10-0 in 2015 offering an inspired choice of new freight motive power. MIKE WILD assesses this attractive ‘OO’ gauge offering.
MIKE WILD
Planet Industrials’ Kerr, Stuart
Planet Industrials is a new name in the world of ready-to-run model railways and its debut model is the Kerr, Stuart ‘Victory’ 0-6-0T for ‘OO’ gauge. Mike Wild finds out what is in store.
MIKE WILD
Heljan's centre headcode Class 37 for 'O' gauge
In this review we take a closer look at Heljan's ready-to-run ‘O’ gauge centre headcode Class 37 which first hit the shelves in 2017.
MIKE WILD
FIRST REVIEW: Heljan’s Mk 1 CCT
The BR Mk 1 Covered Carriage Truck is a versatile vehicle which can suit everything from depot to main line scenes. MIKE WILD inspects this attractive new arrival for ‘O’ gauge from Heljan.
MIKE WILD
NEW PECO STRUCTURE KITS FOR 'TT'
ANNOUNCED in June 2022, the new range of Peco‘TT:120’ building kits comprise a GWR pattern station building, signalbox and goods shed, alongside plastic platform edging and surfaces. Intended to be used in conjunction with Peco’s newly-tooled track range in the scale (HM 184), these kits offer accurate and detailed structures for the revival of ‘TT’ gauge.
Hatton's Genesis Coaches
The wait is over, as the first of Hattons’ newlytooled ‘OO’ gauge Genesis four and sixwheel carriages are here. MARK CHIVERS takes a closer look at these all-new vehicles.