Model Railway Features
Building a ‘OO9’ micro-layout - Part Two
Having completed the base layer and laid the track to his new narrow gauge micro-layout, DAN EVASON adds further fine detail and buildings to the ‘OO9’ pizza-style scene.
'OO' gauge Diesel Multiple Unit upgrades
Concentrating on some older 4mm scale Diesel Multiple Units, TIM SHACKLETON looks at ways of bringing them up to something like present day standards.
Making Buildings from Scratch – Part 4
When the shell of a building is finished, you can consider modelling the inside where it will be visible. MALCOLM BRIGGS explains how he creates realistic interiors - and what can be left out.
NEW SERIES: 1960s Weathering, Part One | Goods Wagons
Welcome to a brand-new series from Key Model World covering weathering techniques for 1960s era goods wagons, passenger rolling stock and locomotives. In Part One - FREE on Key Model World - we show you how to weather mineral, bolster and tank wagons in this detailed step by step video as we start our journey into the world of weathering.
Collett GWR ‘Manors’ on the Cambrian
Designed as a lightweight equivalent of the ‘Hall’ 4-6-0s, the Great Western’s ‘Manors’ did their best work on the Cambrian lines of mid and north Wales. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES explains why these versatile locomotives were so successful.
Building a ‘OO9’ micro layout – Part one
With a new influx of models in this narrow gauge scale, DAN EVASON shows how you can create a grand scene the size of a pizza.
BR’s North British 10800
Although many people think that BR’s Modernisation Plan was the start of the diesel era, there had been several attempts to introduce alternative traction prior to that, with one of the least successful being 10800, which was, as EVAN GREEN-HUGHES relates, ordered before nationalisation.
How to weather an Accurascale DRS Class 37/4
The arrival of the all-new Accurascale Class 37/4s for ‘OO’ gauge prompted MIKE WILD to give DRS-operated 37425 an equally detailed weathered finish. He explains all in this step by step guide.
British Rail ‘PEP’ Electric Multiple Unit story
Rarely modelled, but part of the railway scene now for almost 50 years, the British Rail ‘PEP’ family of EMUs is now reaching the end of its service life. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES takes a look at the interesting history of this group of influential but often overlooked trains.
Building a Permanent Way Depot
You’ll often see the ‘orange army’ and their equipment maintaining the railway. DAN EVASON shows how to build a small maintenance depot in ‘OO’ gauge.
LSWR ‘B4’ 0-4-0T class history
Although primarily known for their work in Southampton Docks, the Adams ‘B4s’ actually had a wide sphere of operation, both on the main line and later on industrial railway complexes, as EVAN GREEN-HUGHES describes.
Triplex Sound for the Hornby Class 08
Hornby’s new Bluetooth Triplex Sound chips provide a simple means of adding stay alive, but can you fit all the components into the Hornby Class 08? MIKE WILD shows how in this step-by-step guide.
Modelling Low Moor Fairburn ‘4MTs' in 'N'
TIM SHACKLETON successfully migrates weathering techniques he developed for 4mm scale across to an ‘N’ gauge 2-6-4T.
The LNER ‘G5’ 0-4-4Ts
One of the most successful Victorian-era passenger tank engines was the North Eastern Railway’s ‘O’ class, which became the LNER’s ‘G5’ and lasted for more than 50 years in service. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES charts the history of a fleet so well designed it never needed any substantial upgrades during its service life.
Great Days Out | Summer 2023
As the summer heats up, MARK CHIVERS picks out some of the railway highlights to enjoy a day out and draw inspiration from all over Britain.
Reality Check: The Great Eastern’s ‘J15’ 0-6-0s
Many good locomotive designs were born out of necessity rather than a desire to progress science, and few more so than the humble ‘J15’ 0-6-0s which served the East of England well for more than 70 years, as EVAN GREEN-HUGHES explains.
Level Crossings
Level crossings are one of the common features on model railways, but few represent the diversity of styles which existed on the national system, as EVAN GREEN-HUGHES discovered.
EQUIPMENT GUIDE: ‘OO’ gauge sectional track
Sectional track is the cornerstone of trainsets and is useful even where flexible track is used. MARK CHIVERS examines some of the options in ‘OO’ gauge.
Enhancing a Hornby Class 56 with weathering
The Hornby Class 56 made its debut in early 2009 and weathering gives this heavy freight workhorse the realistic appearance it really needs. MIKE WILD shows how in this Key Model World exclusive step by step guide.
Digital sound for the ‘08’
Introducing custom digital sound to small locomotives can make for a rewarding challenge. Paul Chetter puts the Bachmann and Hornby Class 08 diesel shunters head to head and explains how to introduce a high value DCC sound decoder and ‘stay alive’ technology.
The evolution of the railway carriage
From an open truck fitted with hard seats to a 140mph air-conditioned vehicle the British Railway carriage has come a long way in less than two centuries, yet it is surprising how long many features from those early years actually survived, as EVAN GREEN-HUGHES relates.
Third-rail Electrification
The south of England’s pioneering third-rail electrified railway system has served the country well for more than a century, and after a long pause could yet be extended. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES looks at the history of this innovative and important system.
The Italian Job: Upgrading Lima diesel locomotives
Lima produced accurate models for the time which can be acquired very cheaply today. TIM SHACKLETON shows how upgrades to detail and chassis can transform their appearance and operation at a fraction of the cost of a brand-new model.
Nifty 50s: Install Locoman Sounds in Hornby's Class 50
Locoman Sounds has introduced a new sound profile for the Class 50 ‘Hoovers’. MIKE WILD installs a pair of Doehler & Haass chips into the Hornby GBRf pairing of 50049 and 50007 with some nifty adjustments to the lighting functions.
Hawkswood Junction - Nottinghamshire in the 1980s in 'OO'
Nottinghamshire during the 1980s is the setting for railwayman STEVE BRAMMER’S ‘OO’ gauge home-based layout, capturing the scene of the times delightfully.
Dig for Victory
If your 1940s layout has houses and gardens in it, the odds are it will have an Anderson shelter amongst the fruit and veg. DAN EVASON unearths a range of techniques to create this fascinating scene.
A4’s in Preservation
It is now 57 years since the last of Sir Nigel Gresley’s famous ‘A4s’ were taken out of service yet six survive, with one still active on the main line. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES looks at the preservation years of what will always be remembered as the ‘Streaks’.
Building a diesel depot Part 4: The ‘Birdcage Bridge’
In the fourth and final feature, MIKE WILD builds PJM Models’ laser-cut GCR ‘Birdcage Bridge’ and explains how it was installed as a scenic break for the Diesel Depot build.
The Great Eastern Jazz Trains
Intensive suburban passenger workings are a feature of many great stations, but perhaps one of the most efficient in steam days were the ‘Jazz Trains’ of the Great Eastern Railway’s London Liverpool Street terminus. These intensive steam workings established a frequency of service that many thought impossible to achieve, as EVAN GREEN-HUGHES describes.
Developing the diesel shunter
Amazingly, the diesel shunter has been around now for more than 90 years. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES looks at its development and shows how it can be incorporated into layouts set from pre-nationalisation days onwards.