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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How to use cardboard in model railway design and construction

Materials don’t come much cheaper than cardboard – and as PAUL LUNN shows, it can even be used for building complete layouts!

Gold Drax 66301 for Revolution Trains

Revolution Trains is to add GB Railfreight Class 66 66301 in its newly applied GBRf/Drax gold livery to its 'N' gauge line-up.

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Is this THE definitive Class 25?

Sutton’s Locomotive Works is back with its second ready-to-run locomotive for 4mm scale and it’s the perfect follow-up to its Class 24 - the Class 25. MIKE WILD inspects this new arrival to assess whether this is the best version yet.

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Crewe Gresty Bridge Depot

Big and loud diesels, from Class 37s to the latest ‘68s’, rule the roost in MARK DAVIES’ present-day recreation of this famous depot in ‘OO’ gauge - and it is coming to the 2024 Great Electric Train Show on October 12/13 2024 in Milton Keynes. Read the full feature here with exclusive subscriber only video.

Soar Valley MRC's 40th anniversary show - this weekend!

Soar Valley Model Railway Club is set to hold its 40th anniversary exhibition at Loughborough Grammar School this weekend - August 17/18.

Unique graffitied HYA hopper for Accurascale

Accurascale has announced an exclusive pair of 'OO' gauge cut-down HYA hoppers with one featuring the very distinctive graffiti featured on the real thing.

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Brush Type 2 Variants

The distinctive Class 31s had a panoply of variants which cry out to be modelled - and some very obvious external differences. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES investigates.

Accurascale adds 'OO' NCB HTVs

Accurascale has added a new exclusive triple pack of its forthcoming ‘OO’ gauge 21ton HTV wagons in National Coal Board (NCB) internal user green and grey.

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Latest model railway videos

Hornby 4-VEP for OO gauge. Review Premium

Revised Hornby 4-VEP arrives

With a preserved example recently raising the profile of these important EMUs, BEN CHURCH assesses Hornby’s latest version of the 4-VEP in ‘OO’.

Accurascale Class 66 first review Review Premium

Accurascale’s Class 66 Revival

The Class 66 is a locomotive virtually no modern layout can be without. Accurascale has taken on and re-worked the Hattons Originals product for ‘OO’ gauge – MIKE WILD takes an exclusive look at the first production samples.

SERIES 8: Digital Sound - installing Hornby TXS chips

In part two of our Digital Sound video series we start our trilogy of sound installation features by working with the new Hornby Bluetooth Triplex Sound chips. In this video we show how to add an 8-pin chip to a Hornby Class 60, a 21-pin chip to the LMS 'Turbomotive' and a Next18 chip to a TT:120 scale 'A4' 4-6-2 taking you through every step of the journey. Watch today with a FREE member account exclusively on Key Model World.

Kernow Model Rail Centre GWR Steam Railmotor. Review Premium

Kernow GWR Steam Railmotor

A decade after its announcement, BEN CHURCH reviews this distinctive GWR train and asks whether the wait has been worthwhile.

VIDEO: Accurascale Class 66 production samples

Join us in the Hornby Magazine workshop as we get a visit from Accurascale's Steve Purves and a collection of eight new production samples for the soon to arrive first batch of Class 66s from the manufacturer. In this video we discuss the final changes to the Class 66 model pre-empting our full review in HM202 - on sale from March 7 2024.

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Dalziel North

The atmosphere around a Scottish freight terminal in the early 2000s inspired RODDY NEWBIGGING and friends to create this detailed pastiche of the early privatised railway in North Lanarkshire.Photography, Jonathan Newton

VIDEO: Railway Icons HSDT prototype decorated sample

The decorated sample of the Railway Icons collection model of HSDT prototype power car 41001 has been revealed through the collaboration between Rails of Sheffield, Locomotion Models and Bachmann Europe together with a factory sound option of the model.

Upgrading Newton Grove

With some structures having been damaged in the long journey from ‘Oz’, JONATHAN NEWTON reveals how he is building a new engine shed and road bridge for his ‘O’ gauge layout.

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Latest model railway reviews

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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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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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Hornby ZBA returns for OO gauge

Hornby’s ‘OO’ gauge ZBA ‘Rudd’ departmental wagon has made a welcome return to the range.

Rusty Rails railway engine blocks for OO gauge

Adding to the repertoire of 4mm scale 3D-printed accessories available from Rusty Rails is this underfloor engine suitable for Class 150, 153, 156 and 158 Diesel Multiple Units.

Hornby all-new OO gauge Stanier Black Five 4-6-0 Review Premium

Hornby’s all-new Stanier ‘Black Five’

The Stanier ‘Black Five’ was one of the biggest locomotive classes of the steam era and Hornby has turned fresh attention to this must-have mixed traffic 4-6-0. MIKE WILD pays close attention to this new arrival.

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Bachmann Collectors Club 08818

A GBRf ‘gronk’ is amongst the latest Bachmann exclusives. MARK CHIVERS checks whether its pulling power matches its looks.

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Banana Van Bonanza

Southern Railway banana vans are the latest additions to Accurascale’s rapidly expanding ‘OO’ gauge range. BEN CHURCH casts a glance at these ap-peel-ing new arrivals.

Click here to read our full collection of model railway product reviews.