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: Main line steam around London
This latest book from Amberley Publishing celebrates main line steam operation on the rail lines around London since 1968, during the preservation years.
Book review: Railways of the South East book review
Recently added to Key Books’ British Railways series is this picture album capturing views of locomotive hauled passenger, freight and engineering trains in and around Kent.
Book review: The Southern Since 1953
New from Fonthill Media is this collection of photographs and memories of the Southern Region since 1953. The book opens with an informative introduction from the author setting the reader up for a journey across Southern territory through a wonderful selection of photographs.
Land Rover Defender 110X
Oxford Diecast’s range of 1:76 scale vehicles spans many decades and continues to reflect the latest car launches, including this new arrival – the Land Rover Defender 110X.
SMS LNER Lineside Store
Recently added to the Scale Model Scenery laser-cut range of kits is this 4mm scale London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) lineside store.
Modelu Wickham Crew
Modelu’s impressive collection of 3D-printed figures and detailing accessories is bolstered with this new pack containing a 1:76 scale permanent way crew for use with Bachmann’s ‘OO’ gauge Wickham trolley.
BR Steam Locomotives: Complete Allocations History 1948-1968
New from Crecy is this revised reference work packed with the complete allocation history of British Railways’ steam locomotives from Nationalisation until 1968.
Railways of Central Scotland: 2016-2020
This recent picture volume from Key Books focuses on the changing rail scene in Central Scotland during a recent five-year period.
Wales and Western Region Railways
The recent volume from Amberley Books takes us on a photo journey to selected spots on BR’s Western Region operating area in the 1950s and 1960s – beginning in London, with a sprint along the main line to Oxford, Gloucestershire and Devon. Further jaunts follow the route through High Wycombe to Birmingham, Shrewsbury and beyond, with coverage of routes in mid and south west Wales too.
Swindon: The Complete Works
This new hefty volume is an enlarged reworking of the author’s two previous books on Swindon Works and now covers the impact of the transition from steam to diesel, the carriage and wagon works, as well as the operation of the stores department. A few myths have also been addressed.
Rail Freight: South West England
New from Key books is this volume focused on rail freight in South West England over the past four decades – a time of great change on the railway.
Sonic debuts Collett ‘56XX’
Newcomer to the ready-to-run market Sonic Models has released its first powered model – the GWR ‘56XX’ 0-6-2T for ‘N’ gauge. MIKE WILD takes a closer look at this new addition which fills an important gap in the ready-to-run roster.
Minerva expands wagon fleet
Steam era goods trains are set for a boost in ‘O’ gauge with the arrival of Minerva Model Railways’ all-new model of the Great Western Railway Wooden Mink four-wheel box van.
Bachmann renews its ‘V2’ for 'OO' gauge
The Gresley ‘V2’ has been a longstanding part of the Bachmann range, but it was in need of fresh attention and that is exactly what has happened. MIKE WILD inspects the all-new LNER 2-6-2 for ‘OO’.
Hornby's Dublo ‘Merchant Navy’
Hornby has bolstered its new Hornby Dublo range of locomotives with the arrival of the die-cast metal bodied Bulleid air-smoothed ‘Merchant Navy’ 4-6-2. MARK CHIVERS casts a glance at this delightful new limited edition.
Dapol O&K JHA HOPPERS
Dapol's eagerly-awaited ‘OO’ gauge Orenstein & Koppel (O&K) 102tonne JHA bogie hopper wagons have landed following a protracted journey by sea.
DAPOL ‘BUBBLE’ GOES 'O'
The characterful Class 122 single-car DMU is finally here for 7mm scale. MIKE WILD reviews this new arrival and assesses if it has been worth the wait.
Super-size GBRf ‘Hoovers’
The English Electric Type 4s or Class 50s have long had a loyal following. When Heljan launched its ‘O’ gauge model back in 2019 it swiftly sold out and a second batch was soon in the pipeline.
DCC Concepts plug and play ground signal control
DCC Concepts has introduced a new and simple means of powering and using its attractive range of ground signals for ‘OO’ gauge by creating a plug and play control board which links to a Cobalt IP digital or analogue point motor.
IRM delivers Met-Vic A Class
Accurascale’s sister company Irish Railway Models has released its first ready-to-run powered model – the Metropolitan Vickers A Class Co -Co diesel electric. MIKE WILD takes a detailed look at this new addition for the Irish scene which sets the benchmark for what to expect from Accurascale’s first British outline diesels.
L&B LYN debuts!
Narrow gauge modellers are being treated to a brand-new locomotive with the arrival of Heljan’s model of the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway’s one and only Baldwin 2-4-2T. MIKE WILD inspects Lyn for ‘OO9’.
MIKE WILD
Northern Rail ‘150’
The Class 150/2 two-car DMU is back in stock with Bachmann retailers with the arrival of two new livery variations –a GWR green set finished as 150216 and Northern liveried unit 150220 as illustrated by our sample model.
Hunslet hydraulic
FIRST REVIEW: To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the N Gauge Society it has produced the first pure industrial ready-to-run locomotive for ‘N’ gauge – the Hunslet 0-6-0 diesel hydraulic. MIKE WILD inspects this enticing new release for 2mm scale.
Ecofrets debut for ‘N’
The latest arrivals from Revolution Trains for ‘N’ gauge are these super detailed models of the FWA Ecofret twin and triple set container flats.
‘OO’ Defender
New to the Oxford Diecast 1:76 scale vehicle collection and suitable for ‘OO’ gauge layouts is the new Land Rover Defender in short wheelbase format. This reimagining of the classic Defender took to the roads in 2020 and is becoming a popular choice for on road and off road use.
Brassed off
Modelu continues to expand its fantastic collection of 3D printed figures with ever more interesting and characterful creations. Amongst the latest releases is this brilliant set of brass band figures which are available from ‘N’ to ‘G’ scale.
Busch farmyard scene
A recent addition to the Busch action set series of detailing accessories is this calf-feeding pack comprising a pre-painted ‘HO’ scale calf and farm worker. The set has been designed so the calf appears to be drinking from the milk feed bottle.
Dockside Walling
Gaugemaster’s ever-expanding Fordhampton collection of ‘OO’ gauge plastic building and structure kits is bolstered with the inclusion of this dockside walling.
Cosmetic Fishplates
Scale Model Scenery has added a pack of cosmetic fishplates to its range of 4mm scale laser-cut detailing accessories.