Layout features

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Welcome to our collection of model railway layout features. Here you will find beautifully detailed model railways in 'OO' gauge, 'N' gauge, 'O' gauge, 'OO9' narrow gauge and more offering a huge variety of build designs and inspirational techniques. Plus our growing collection covers a broad spectrum of different periods in railway history as well as all four corners of the British railway network while many feature exclusive KeyModelWorld only video tours. Indulge and enjoy!

Explore the amazing model railways built by talented individuals and clubs which feature in the pages of Hornby Magazine. This section covers 'OO', 'EM', 'P4', 'N', and 'O' gauge model railways and more in all eras. Plus many now feature exclusive online video content which you can only find here on Key Model World.

Manston Airport in OO gauge Feature Premium

Manston Airport in OO gauge

ANDY HOPPER needed a layout to showcase his SECR rolling stock, so he looked close to home and created an aviation-themed scene in finescale ‘OO’ gauge. See it at the 2024 Great Electric Train Show on October 12/13 in Milton Keynes.

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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.

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Nafferton

Summer Saturdays on Yorkshire’s East Coast in the 1960s are the theme behind this marvellously realistic ‘O’ gauge layout. DAVID WELLINGTON explains how it was built – and the trains that run on it.

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Making Tracks 4 Watford

In a year that saw Pete Waterman OBE and the Railnuts already create over 100ft of new scenic layout, the group have developed brand-new scenes to take Watford Junction to Chester Cathedral and beyond in 2024. MIKE WILD takes an exclusive look at this stunning creation.

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Purgatory Peak On30 North American model railway

Build another British 7mm scale layout or go for something altogether different? That was the choice facing Macclesfield Model Railway Group, and Purgatory Peak modelling American narrow gauge is the result, as SHAUN HORROCKS explains.

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Maryborough - Australian railway modelling

The Australian Model Railway Association Victorian Branch led by ROGER LLOYD turn the clock back to the late 1950s in their home country to create a stunning replica of railway operations at Maryborough, Victoria.

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Beijiao - China Rail in the final years of steam

A desire to create a layout that was different and a passion for steam photography in China led PAUL STAPLETON to create Beijiao – a wonderful recreation of the final years of main line steam in China when ‘QJ’ 2-10-2s were still a daily sight.

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Gresten in HOe narrow gauge

The charming narrow gauge railways of Austria were the catalyst for MALCOLM ROCHFORD’S third exhibition layout set in the country, with the aim of creating a model to meet an exhibition deadline in less than 12 months. Gresten is the result.

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Chatswell

This BR sectorisation layout was built for JUSTIN LONGLEY-NEWING and his father to enjoy. Justin explains how it was developed to recapture the colourful days of the late 1980s.

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Millsbridge in 'N' gauge

Based on a real location, this BR steam era layout recaptures the gritty atmosphere of West Yorkshire. RICHARD STOTT explains how it was built and why it has two different gauges of track with an exclusive full video tour of this stunning layout.

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Tulloch Bridge

So well modelled is MARTIN STEWART’s ‘OO’ gauge take on the West Highland Line that some viewers think it’s a real location! Martin explains how this ‘test bed’ layout was built.

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Stanton Midland in O gauge

This ‘O’ gauge layout has evolved over the years, recreating British Railways London Midland Region operations in the 1950s and ‘60s, as WILLIAM THOMAS explains.Photography, Trevor Jones

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Alston in 'N' gauge

This classic branch line terminus is the subject of PETER BROWN’s ‘N’ gauge layout, bringing to life a distinctive location which is now the headquarters of the South Tynedale Railway - and you can see the layout at the 2024 Great Electric Train Show.

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Hewisbridge revisited - the Waverley Route in OO

A stalwart of the exhibition scene for three decades, the 57 Study Group’s finescale ‘OO’ gauge layout continues to evolve and attract new admirers, as IAN PORTEOUS reveals.

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Fairwood Junction

One of the star attractions at the 2024 Great Electric Train Show is STEVE JONES’ brilliant contemporary recreation of this important Great Western Main Line junction in ‘OO’ which showcases the huge variety of the modern railway.