Model Rail

Model Rail magazine is the UK's biggest-selling magazine dedicated to railway modelling. Every issue is packed with the country’s finest home and club layouts, stunning photography, unbiased and in-depth product reviews, expert tips, layout plans and step-by-step articles that really show you how. In our unique ‘Workbench’ section, we tackle a wide range of modeling skills and projects. Our expert writers and model-makers will help you to get the most from your hobby and build the layout of your dreams. Model Rail is published 13 times a year, every four weeks.

Welcome

Opening the box • The latest happenings from the world model railways

SHOW REPORT: WARLEY 2023 • George Dent presents highlights from the annual show at the NEC.

Staff Show & Tell Background Tasks • George Dent has begun customising a collection of laser-cut kits to create a low-relief industrial complex for his layout’s backscene.

Filling a corner

EXHIBITION DIARY - DECEMBER 2023 - FEBRUARY 2024

…and finally

Show & Tell • The place to share your projects with the Model Rail community.

SANKEY VIADUCT

News Real

Inside track with Ben Ando

Power play • Buying a second-hand layout gave Simon Barratt and the Scottish Diesel Electric Group a headstart, but that was just the beginning…

3 things we like

HOW TO MODEL A WINTER SCENE • Peter Marriott changes a summer diorama to the depths of winter in just a few hours.

HOW TO CREATE TEMPORARY SNOW EFFECTS • George Dent employs a technique borrowed from Chris Nevard to create a wintry scene that can be reversed with ease.

HOW TO ANIMATE A WATERWHEEL • In Graham Goodchild’s latest project, he animates a key element of rural industry a mill with a working waterwheel.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN LASER-CUT BUILDINGS • Stuart Moore took the plunge and taught himself how to make bespoke ‘N’ gauge buildings using computer technology and laser-cutting techniques.

HOW TO FIX A FACTORY WEATHERING JOB • This is where our team of experienced modellers answer YOUR questions. Email your queries about railways - real or model - to modelrail@bauermedia.co.uk

KNOW YOUR… LIVERIES • Paul Chancellor examines the application of BR’s various early ’standard’ liveries on the Eastern Region.

Notes from the Workshop DAVE LOWERY’S TOP TIPS

CAN I USE ARTISTS’ ACRYLICS ON MY MODELS?

Upping the ante • Eschewing the usual scales and gauges, Martin Olley stuck to the scale he knows and loves and scratchbuilt this slice of Rutland history.

Graham Farish Class 158

Factfile: BR Class 158 DMU

Revolution Trains BR Class 128 Parcels Railcar

Factfile: BR/Gloucester RCW Class 128

System builder

Accurascale Class 37/0 (early version)

Bachmann Class 422/7 refurbished ’4-TEP’

Rapido Trains UK W&U bogie tramcar

TITFIELD’S BUFFET CAR

Rapido Trains UK ‘Not-Quite-Mink’

Bachmann Dinorwic Slate Wagons

Accurascale MDW 21t mineral wagons (retooled)

Revolution Trains Mk 5 Caledonian Sleeper coach pack

Dapol/KMRC CDA hopper wagon

Hornby RailRoad Plus Class 960 and Class 47 (with TXS sound)

Heljan BR Motorail Car Transporters

Rapido Trains UK BR OAA open wagon

Peco BR Iron Ore Tippler

C-Rail Crane Fruehauf containers & 20ft tanks

Model Rail

Present your case • If there’s a prototype that you think needs to be offered ready-to-run, here’s the place to voice your opinion…

Backscene • Chris Leigh went to the Warley MRC exhibition for chats with readers and to seek inspiration. He got plenty of both!