REVIEWS
Read all the latest product reviews from the Hornby Magazine team covering 'OO', 'N' and 'O' gauge as well as a broad spectrum of model eras and product types. Plus, look out for the Video tag for feature videos included within reviews as well as the Hornby Magazine Express Video tag for our quick overview videos.
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.
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.
Flying Scotsman: the amazing story of the world’s most famous locomotive
Eight years on from its last publication in print, Andrew Roden has re-released and remastered his bestselling volume Flying Scotsman in e-book form on Kindle and Apple iBooks, incorporating new information and insights and the locomotive’s career following its triumphant return to service in 2016.
Dapol ‘N’ gauge Class 59
The first of a pair of ‘59s’ is reviewed by MARK CHIVERS – but how does it compare to its new rival?
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.
MGR Coal Trains
Amberley Publishing’s roster of railway books is bolstered by the addition of MGR Coal Trains, a retrospective photographic reminder of these important coal trains.
Railways Remembered: North East England
First in a new series called ‘Railways Remembered’, this new publication from Crecy is a well-produced and high-quality look back at the railways in North East England from the 1950s to 1970s. The book covers steam, diesel and electric traction on main lines and the region’s many industrial railways.
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.
Class 68s in Profile
Another recent addition from Key Publishing is this in-depth look at Direct Rail Services’ (DRS) Class 68s. The company ordered an initial 15 in 2012 to complete the replacement of its elderly Class 20s, but the Stadler-built locomotives have proved far more versatile.
Class 59 Revolution
The General Motors Class 59 Co-Co diesels were a revolution in freight haulage on the British railway network on arrival, but can Revolution Trains do the same for ‘N’ gauge with its all-new model of the design? MIKE WILD finds out.
Peco Expands ‘O’ Track Range
Peco has added ‘O’ gauge code 143 flat bottom rail concrete sleeper flexible track to its range.
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.
Railways around York: Four decades of change
York has always been a nexus for the railways, and the imposing station built by the North Eastern Railway was at the time of its construction the largest in the world.
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.
British Rail Shunters - The Final Years
Recently added to the ‘Britain’s Railway Series’ from Key Publishing is this collection of views of British Rail shunting locomotives and their roles on the privatised railway.
‘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).
DCC/DC Locomotive Servicing Controller
This useful DCC/DC servicing device developed by Mark’s Trains of Peterborough is designed to make decoder fitting and servicing as simple and straightforward as possible.
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.
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.
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.
OO Works Aspinall Class 27 0-6-0
New to the OO Works range of handmade ready-to-run ‘OO’ gauge locomotives is the London Midland & Scottish Railway (ex-Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway) Aspinall Class 27 0-6-0.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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’.