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.
Exclusive Rapido Five-Plank Open Wagon
B & H Models of Lincoln has taken delivery of a specially commissioned ‘OO’ gauge RCH private owner wagon by Rapido Trains UK, modelling a five-plank wagon carrying the livery of W. Grocock wagon agents, based in Gainsborough.
Rapido RCH 1907 Private Owner Wagons
These all-new ‘OO’ gauge wagons model prototypes of which many thousands were built. BEN CHURCH puts them to the test.
Laser-cut semi-detached house fronts
Building upon previous laser-cut kits from Peco, this new 4mm scale semi-detached house kit provides an easy and simple way to add some highly detailed houses to your layout or diorama.
Peco Unifrog Y turnout
New to Peco’s code 100 range of ‘OO’ gauge Streamline track is this new Unifrog small radius Y turnout.
GWR Skaledale Lineside Buildings
Two new 4mm scale Great Western Railway (GWR) lineside buildings have recently been added to the Hornby Skaledale range.
‘TT:120’ Stanier 50ft Full Brake
Hornby’s ‘TT:120’ range continues to go from strength to strength with the first of the LMS coaching stock arriving with the LMS 50ft Stanier Full Brake (BG).
FIRST REVIEW: Bachmann’s all-new Class 25
The BR Sulzer Class 25 is a must-have locomotive for 1960s-1980s modellers and a new choice is arriving for ‘OO’ gauge with Bachmann. MIKE WILD inspects the all-new ‘Rat’ to assess its qualities.
Bachmann’s NG7 range debuts
A new suite of 7mm:1ft narrow gauge models is here. MARK CHIVERS assesses these important initial releases.
Strathclyde 101 Exclusive
Bachmann’s Collectors Club provides an ideal opportunity to offer something different to its members. For ‘N’ gauge modellers, this includes a three-car Class 101 DMU in Strathclyde PTE colours, as MARK CHIVERS discovers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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’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.
Bachmann Collectors Club 08818
A GBRf ‘gronk’ is amongst the latest Bachmann exclusives. MARK CHIVERS checks whether its pulling power matches its looks.
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.
Peco Expands ‘O’ Track Range
Peco has added ‘O’ gauge code 143 flat bottom rail concrete sleeper flexible track to its range.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
‘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).
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.