'OO' gauge model reviews
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.
‘N15’ completes ‘Big Four’ Centenary collection
The final component of Hornby’s ‘Big Four’ collection, celebrating 100 years since the 1923 Grouping, arrived in early April with the release of its ‘OO’ gauge Southern Railway (SR) ‘N15’ 4-6-0 741 Joyous Gard (Cat No. R30273).
Rapido GWR ‘Mink A’ van
A year after the better known Great Western Railway (GWR) ‘Iron Mink’ vans arrived, Rapido Trains UK has developed its wooden-bodied ‘Mink A’ cousins in ‘OO’ gauge.
3D-Printed Cable Trunking
Expanding on its impressive roster of line-side detailing items comes a comprehensive suite of 4mm scale cable trunking from West Hill Wagon Works.
RailRoad Class 101 returns
Hornby’s enduring Class 101 DMU is back, offering an important train for BR era modellers. BEN CHURCH sees if it stands up to present-day scrutiny.
GWR five-plank opens roll in
EXPANSION of Rapido Trains UK’s ‘OO’ gauge range continues with the arrival of its newly-tooled versatile five-plank open wagon.
West Hill Wagon Works oil tank
New from West Hill Wagon Works is this 4mm scale oil storage tank which provides an easy to use set piece for any diesel locomotive era depot.
RailRoad Class 101 returns
Hornby’s enduring Class 101 DMU is back, offering an important train for BR era modellers. BEN CHURCH sees if it stands up to present-day scrutiny.
Ruston 88DS goes green
More livery variations of Hornby’s petite ‘OO’ gauge Ruston & Hornsby 88DS shunters (HM201) are now available, with the British Railways green example arriving for review.
ModelU Cattle
Continuing the animal theme, ModelU has added a selection of 3D-printed farm figures to its range, including this pack of 4mm scale cows.
Heljan’s all-new Brush Type 4 for ‘OO’ gauge
The long-lived and versatile Class 47s are a popular choice for ready-to-run models with a wide range of colour schemes. Heljan has delivered its brand-new offering for ‘OO’ gauge - MIKE WILD finds out how it measures up.
SMS Crowd Control Barriers
New from Scale Model Scenery is this pack of 4mm scale laser-cut crowd control barriers – ideal for creating a contemporary worksite, festival or rail replacement bus stop queue at a station.
HM7000 Bluetooth Legacy Dongle
When first released last year, Hornby’s new HM7000 system provided an innovative new way to control your model railway by embracing the capabilities of present-day smart devices.
3D Printed Rabbits
Hop to it with this pack of 3D-printed 4mm scale rabbits from West Hill Wagon Works, providing plenty of choice when it comes to incorporating these fluffy animals into a scene.
EWS charter train pack
Hornby’s latest ‘OO’ gauge train pack is billed as the ‘EWS Business Train’ and models the air-conditioned Mk 2 carriages EWS repainted in the early 2000s for charter trains. The vehicles were used on railtours as well as on regular peak-hour relief services for ScotRail, operating on the Fife Circle route.
West Hill ‘Deltic’ Power Plant
British Rail’s legendary Class 55 ‘Deltic’ diesel locomotives gained their distinctive nickname from their twin Napier ‘Deltic’ engines which West Hill Wagon Works has recreated in detail for ‘OO’ gauge.
Collectors Club Class 90
Bachmann Collectors Club members can now acquire this striking ‘OO’ gauge Class 90 Bo-Bo electric. MARK CHIVERS finds out whether it ‘sparks’ his admiration.
Diesel Fuelling Point
This diesel fuelling point from West Hill Wagon Works, offers a simple way to easily incorporate an important – and distinctive – scene into a modern-era layout.
Accurascale Mk 2b coaches roll in
Can Accurascale maintain its record with these important new coaches? MARK CHIVERS checks out these latest BR Mk 2s in ‘OO’.
Skaledale family grocer
Hornby’s extensive Skaledale range continues to provide modellers with high quality ‘OO’ gauge resin buildings that are ready to be placed on a layout straight from the box. This recent release models a family grocer’s.
Peco Victorian houses
Peco has added to its range of laser-cut kit products with these 4mm scale Victorian semi-detached houses.
Depot detailing
New to Modelu’s range of 3D printed detailing accessories are these packs of 4mm scale steam depot detailing.
Revolution Trains PCA
Revolution Trains’ newly-tooled ‘OO’ gauge PCA alumina tank wagons have arrived, offering a new option for modern era modellers. BEN CHURCH takes a closer look at these distinctive new vehicles.
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’.
‘Big Four’ Fowler ‘4P’
With the first half of Hornby’s ‘Big Four’ collection having already arrived (HM200), commemorating the centenary of the formation of the ‘Big Four’, the latest representative in the quartet of models is now available in the form of the London, Midland & Scottish Railway (LMS) Fowler ‘4P’ 2-6-4T.
Flangeway updates ‘Salmons’
Following the initial release of its ‘Salmon’ bogie rail carrier wagons in 2022 (HM183), Flangeway Models has released a new contemporary-era version of the popular ‘OO’ gauge vehicles.
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.
Commonwealth of Australia
In recent months Hornby has released a significant number of Gresley ‘A4’ 4-6-2s,primarily in its Hornby Dublo range as part of the Great Gathering 10th anniversary collection. This new ‘OO’ gauge ‘A4’ arrival is from the main range, but no less exciting as it represents one of the five Commonwealth-named ‘A4s’ in original condition, finished as 4491 Commonwealth of Australia.
Kernow GWR Steam Railmotor
A decade after its announcement, BEN CHURCH reviews this distinctive GWR train and asks whether the wait has been worthwhile.