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.
New 'OO' gauge ‘Hymeks’ from Heljan
The popular Class 35 ‘Hymek’ is back from Heljan with an upgraded chassis. MIKE WILD inspects a classic BR two-tone green version of the Western Region hydraulic.
Rapido’s Conflat P for ‘N’ gauge
New for ‘N’ gauge is Rapido Trains’ model of the Conflat P – a wagon type synonymous with the ‘Condor’ container train of the 1960s. MIKE WILD reveals all.
‘N’ gauge Co-Bo from Rapido Trains
Rapido Trains UK has released its first ready-to-run ‘N’ gauge powered locomotive modelling the characterful but spectacularly unreliable Co-Bo diesels. MIKE WILD casts his eye over this new arrival.
BR First Generation DMUs
Hugh Longworth’s long-out-of-print reference work British Railways First Generation DMUs returns with revised text and the addition of colour photographs.
Book Review: GWR Locomotives - the Prairies
The Great Western Railway (GWR) 2-6-2T ‘Prairies’ were some of Churchward’s earliest designs boasting two basic types: the smaller version for branch lines and the large type for outer suburban work in London and Birmingham.
Book review: Industrial Railways
Freight topics are particularly popular due to the varied nature of the payloads through the years and this latest volume from Amberley Publishing highlights some of the heavy freight diesel locomotives that were introduced by British Rail (and its successors) from the 1970s onwards.
Book Review: The East Coast Main Line – Peterborough to York
New from Amberley Publishing is this picture album showcasing the present-day rail scene on the East Coast Main Line (ECML) - a route with a long and storied history.
Book Review: Heavy Freight Locomotives
Freight topics are particularly popular due to the varied nature of the payloads through the years and this latest volume from Amberley Publishing highlights some of the heavy freight diesel locomotives that were introduced by British Rail (and its successors) from the 1970s onwards.
Book Review: Class 50s
This recent publication from Key Books recalls British Rail’s popular Class 50 locomotives, one of the most loved and popular classes that still has a strong following to this day.
Hattons wows with Metrovick’s ugly duckling
BR’s Modernisation Plan brought with it a raft of pilot scheme diesel locomotives and amongst those was the Metropolitan-Vickers Co-Bo – one of the more unusual and arresting designs of the era.
Heljan revitalises the Class 14
The Swindon-built Class 14 0-6-0DHs have been refreshed for a new lease of life with Heljan. MIKE WILD inspects one of the new batch.
Hornby's Avanti Class 390 Pride liveried coaches
Following the recent release of Hornby’s ‘OO’ gauge Class 390 ‘Pendolino’ four-car train pack (Cat No. R30081) as 390119 in the distinctive Pride colour scheme (HM186), the matching centre cars are also now available.
Hornby's Drax Renewable Pioneers hoppers for 'OO' gauge
Hornby has released new versions of the IIA-D 102tonne Drax biomass hopper wagons which were introduced in 2013-2014.
Dapol delivers its Class 59 for 'OO' gauge
The American-built Electro-Motive Division Class 59 heavy-freight locomotives started a revolution in rail freight haulage. Dapol is looking to achieve the same with its all-new ‘OO’ gauge model. MIKE WILD finds out if it has succeeded.
Revolution delivers ‘OO’ Ecofret container wagons
Intermodal traffic forms an important part of the present-day rail scene and Revolution Trains' all-new FWA Ecofrets are set to fill another gap for ‘OO’. MARK CHIVERS takes a closer look.
Scale Model Scenery manholes and drain covers
New from Scale Model Scenery is this pack of 4mm scale laser-cut and engraved manhole and drain covers.
West Hill introduces ‘TT:120’ accessory range
New from West Hill Wagon Works are these all-new ‘TT:120’ scale 3D printed model railway accessories from the company’s range of lineside detailing.
Corgi Trackside Dennis F12 Pump Escape
Corgi’s popular 1:76 scale Dennis F12 Pump Escape fire engine returns in the manufacturer's trackside range, now finished in City of Coventry yellow.
West Hill Wagon Works 3D printed garden railway
West Hill Wagon Works has added a novel 4mm scale garden railway to its range of 3D printed model railway accessories and detailing.
Revolution Trains IPA car carriers for OO gauge
Newly-arrived from Revolution Trains are these eye-catching ‘OO’ gauge IPA car carriers which are available in quad and twin set formats. Mark Chivers takes a detailed look at a covered quad set.
Accurascale’s HBA, HDA and HMA hoppers
Accurascale’s collection of HAA family coal hoppers has expanded with the arrival of the HBA, HDA and HMA variants. MIKE WILD finds out what makes them stand out from the crowd.
Ellis Clark Trains ‘Teak’ Thompsons touch down!
Ellis Clark Trains has taken delivery of its exclusive faux teak ‘O’ gauge Thompson main line carriages from Darstaed. MARK CHIVERS takes a closer look at these new arrivals.
Scammell low loaders
Corgi has added two new versions of its 1:76 scale Scammell low loader to the Trackside range of die-cast vehicles.
Hornby releases Mk 3 Maglights lighting strips
With the recent arrival of Hornby’s newly-tooled BR Mk 3 High Speed Train (HST) trailer cars (HM187), it has also released a new version of its Maglight lighting unit specifically for these vehicles.
Peco’s ‘N’ gauge next generation seven-plank opens
New from Peco are these freshly-tooled ‘N’ gauge seven-plank open wagons.
Exploring Britain’s Disused Railways
The Victorian ’railway mania’ resulted in the UK being covered near and far with main lines, secondary lines and branch lines. With the introduction of motorways and families being able to afford their own motor car, many of these railways were closed, lifted and lost forever.
Electrics for the Railway Modeller
In this fast-paced world, little stays the same for long, it seems. This certainly applies to the seemingly complex topic of model railway electrics, which is often the very aspect of the hobby that is the most daunting and off-putting for both experienced modellers and those new to the craft.
Exploring Exeter’s Railways
New from Silver Link Books is this impressive work showcasing the rail network in and around Exeter in Devon.
Rail Freight The Midlands
This latest release from Key Books focuses on railfreight in the Midlands from the 1980s to the present day.
Mail by Rail
The carriage of mail by rail first began shortly after the Liverpool & Manchester Railway opened in 1830 and has continued in one form or another – along with the odd hiatus – through to a more streamlined form today.