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.

STAY INSIDE AND BUILD MODEL RAILWAYS

Buy one year of MODEL RAIL and get the second year free

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

UP-TO-DATE ‘TRACTORS’

NIU PUTS A HAND TO THE PLOUGH

PECO TO RELEASE A BEVY OF ‘BOWSIDERS’

ANGLO-IRISH MARKET FOR ‘330’

In Brief

DAPOL DISPLAYS GOOD ‘MANORS’

MORE ‘56XXS’ FROM SONIC

Incoming • Updates on exciting new ready-to-run model projects

STICKY MOMENTS

INSTALL A NEATER METER

Rolling stock releases • Locomotives and rolling stock arriving soon

HARDY’S INDUSTRIAL BODIES

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

Letters

hello spring

According to Chris…

Behind the Backscene • Model Rail fires the questions at Jason Shron, Rapido Trains’ art historian and bell-bottom trouser enthusiast.

Under new management • After his wife Alison became the custodian of ‘Lower Exbury’ in 2015, David Barker explains the history of the layout and the modifications they have since made to the original.

Workbench • 16 pages of projects, advice and top tips that show you how

HOW TO BUILD A LAYOUT… ON A DINING TABLE! • Peter Marriott tries out a T-Trak module and finds it a very accessible introduction to layout construction.

HOW TO BUILD A DISPLAY LAYOUT • Peter Marriott formulates the ideal layout for legitimately displaying all of your model locomotives, regardless of era, mode of traction or origin.

HOW TO BUILD A MICRO… FOR RUNNING TRAINS • What if you want that quick modelling fix of a compact layout, but then just want to watch your miniature world go by? Peter Marriott has the answer.

HOW TO Build a cheap DIORAMA • Peter Marriott up-cycles a piece of old flat-packed furniture into the basis of a diorama.

Win a Hornby HST set

Proof of the pudding • Inspired by a TV programme, ‘Bakewell’ impresses on every level, but Robert Brooks has been careful not to over-egg it…

ENABLING MODELLING – AGAINST THE ODDS • All your technique and modelling questions answered by our team of know-it-alls. E-mail your queries about railways – real or model – to modelrailkys@bauermedia.co.uk

HOW TO: IMPROVE A BUDGET WATER TOWER

Doing that scrapyard thing • Got a piece of board that you’re thinking of binning? Don’t scrap it, urges JACK BOSKETT – consider its potential as a layout baseboard.

EXPECT the unexpected • Earles Sidings in the Hope Valley is a railway timewarp – you never know what trains you’ll find there, says Paul A. Lunn.

Reviews • In-depth and unbiased reviews of the latest products

Dapol Class 21

Farish Class 70 (modified)

Bachmann Class 121

Iwata Power Jet Pro compressor

Heljan Class 03

Heljan ‘Hymek’ Class 35

Dapol GWR parcels railcar

Hornby ‘B12/3’ 4-6-0

Club inspiration • Ian Harper caught the ‘O’ gauge bug while he was contributing to a club layout, and decided to build one of his own.

Present your case • If there’s a locomotive that you think needs to be offered...