Model Railways

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Featuring Hornby Magazine 

Read the full Hornby Magazine issue in PDF format or dip into our reformatted online features for KeyModelWorld at your leisure. 

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Latest news and features from model railway on Key Model World

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EFE ‘Bloater’ Fish Van Sails In

Announced as part of the Bachmann Summer 2024 announcements (see pages 10-14), EFE Rail’s all-new ‘OO’ gauge Great Western Railway (GWR) ‘Bloater’ fish vans have arrived, filling a gap in GWR ready-to-run freight wagons.

Exmouth Junction signalbox joins Key Model World Shop collection

New to the Key Model World Shop collection from PJM Models is a laser-cut ‘OO’ gauge kit of Exmouth Junction signalbox modelling the distinctive 1959-built flat roof design.

Colour for Coronation coaches  

Hornby has unveiled decorated samples of its forthcoming all-new ‘OO’ gauge LNER Coronation carriages.

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BR Blue and Grey Mk 3 Trailers

New from Hornby are further examples of its all-new ‘TT:120’ scale BR Mk 3 carriages (HM203), which are now available in BR’s classic blue and grey colour scheme from the Key Model World Shop.

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Grand Café

Detailing models can be a satisfying pastime and following a visit to Model World LIVE recently, DAN EVASON opts to create a realistic café interior in OO gauge.

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Heljan’s cutaway ‘O’ gauge ‘tractors’

The ever-popular Type 3s are now available in split headcode form with cutaway buffer beams for 'O' gauge. BEN CHURCH sees if its performance matches its looks.

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Hornby’s Steam Generator ‘P2’

Sound and smoke are now factory fitted with the arrival of Hornby’s steam generator Gresley ‘P2’ 2-8-2 2007 Prince of Wales. MIKE WILD takes this enticing new release for a spin and operation its capability in words, pictures and video.

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Making the Making Tracks World Record

On April 27 2024 Pete Waterman and the Railnuts became official Guinness World Records holders for Making Tracks: The Final Frontier as the world's Largest Portable Model Railway. MIKE WILD reveals how it all came together.

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Latest model railway videos

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Kirkby Stephen West

The ‘Long Drag’ pushed steam locomotives and their crews to the limits. MALCOLM ROCHFORD explains how he recreated a small part of the Settle & Carlisle line in ‘OO’ gauge.Photography: Jonathan Newton

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UPDATED: Bachmann reveals Spring 2023 British Railway Announcements

Bachmann has revealed its Spring 2023 British Railway Announcements with a raft of new model releases across its ‘OO’, ‘N’, ‘OO9’ and ‘O’ gauge ranges.

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Heljan 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.

Dapol's all-new Class 59 for OO gauge Review Premium

Dapol 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.

Dapol GWR Manor sound installation guide Feature Premium

Wheeltapper sound for the Dapol ‘Manor’

The Dapol GWR ‘Manor’ 4-6-0 is designed with sound installation in mind. MIKE WILD explores its simplicity with a new sound profile from the Wheeltapper collection on an ESU V5 chip. Read the full guide and watch our demonstration video here.

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Revolution Trains IPA car carriers for OO gauge

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.

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Halland - Northern England in the steam era

The North of England near the Scottish border is the setting for JOHN GAY’s steam era ‘OO’ gauge layout which captures the isolation and beauty of this region to a tee.

Hornby HST for OO gauge. Review Premium

Hornby's all-new High Speed Train

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.

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Latest model railway reviews

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GWR Toplight City Coaches

These distinctive Great Western Railway coaches have now been produced by Dapol. MARK CHIVERS assesses whether the Toplights deserve top marks.

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Collectors Club LT Class 20s for ‘N’

A pair of ‘N’ gauge London Transport liveried Class 20s are now available, exclusively to members of the Bachmann Collectors Club. MARK CHIVERS casts a glance over these two eye-catching Bo-Bo diesels.

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Ffestiniog ‘Bug Boxes’

New from Peco are these‘OO9’ narrow gauge Ffestiniog Railway ‘Bug Box’ coaches in Colonel Stephens livery.

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Modelu Contemporary Crews

Modelu’s extensive range of 3D-printed finescale figures is bolstered with these new packs of modern railway crew.

Graham Farish BR 5MT 4-6-0 with digital sound Review Premium

Upgraded Farish BR ‘5MT’

Bachmann’s eagerly-awaited upgraded ‘N’ gauge BR Standard ‘5MT’ 4-6-0 is now available. Read our full review and watch our demonstration video to hear how this sound equipped model performs.

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Collector Virgin Trains Class 47/8

The Bachmann Collector Club has an exclusive edition of 47845 County of Kent in the attractive Virgin Trains livery for ‘OO’. MIKE WILD inspects a sound fitted variant.

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Heljan’s GWR parcels railcar

Heljan has continued its GWR railcar project with an all-new model of the parcels version. MIKE WILD takes a closer look at the unique W34W in BR lined carmine livery.

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