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.

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Welcome

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Model Rail essential information

The Big Picture

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Peter’s Picks • Our scenic expert chooses the most exciting new products to appear on the market.

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

News Real • What’s happening on Britain’s railways...

According to Chris... • ...it’s a big mistake to have a plan and then not stick to it.

Modelling Lives Tales from the world of model making. • Tour manager, music producer and designer Michael Birch explains how railway modelling is the perfect way to escape the rigours of his day job.

Electrifying detail • Senior project engineer Mark Knowles explains how this shed-filling masterpiece came to be.

Workbench • 23 pages of projects, advice and top tips that show you how

HOW TO TACKLE WIRING WOES • Even experienced modellers can make a mistake. The secret is to spot it before you’ve gone too far, as Chris Leigh found out.

HOW TO BUILD A CONTROL PANEL • Ever dreamed of a neat, well laid-out control panel for your model railway? John Whiteside from DCCconcepts reveals that it’s not as difficult as you might think.

HOW TO HARDWIRE A DECODER • Chris Gadsby adds DCC decoders to his 0-4-0 Hornby models so they can be used on his layout.

HOW TO CHANGE YOUR MODEL’S CVs • Chris Gadsby demystifies the ‘dark art’ of reprogramming CVs on a model decoder.

HOW TO TIDY YOUR WIRING • Richard Foster tidies up his cabling act using some George Dent wisdom and knowhow.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN GRASS TUFTS • Ever the innovator, Peter Marriott shows how you can make grass tufts using little more than a puffer bottle.

HOW TO DETAIL SECURITY FENCING • En garde! Peter Marriott shows you how to make security fencing more like the real thing.

The bridge builder’s story • Peter Midwinter indulged his fascination for bridges with this impressive layout based around a model that echoes the magnificence of the prototype.

THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO KIT-BUILDING Pt 6: 3D-PRINTED KITS • In the final instalment of this module, George Dent explains how the development of 3D printing has revolutionised the hobby and offers tips on how to get the best from these state-of-the-art kits and components.

Know your stuff • 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

RAILWAY Hay days • Paul A. Lunn continues his occasional ‘Film Buff’ series by focusing on one of the all time great railway films – and offers suggestions on how you can model it.

FACTFILE: BASINGSTOKE & ALTON LIGHT RAILWAY

THE LOCOMOTIVE STARS

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

Hornby Rocket

Hornby’s centenary

Factfile: Rocket

OO Works ‘330’ 0-6-0ST

Dapol Class 29

Performance

Dapol ‘Turbot’ ballast wagon

Noch Gras-master 3.0 Static grass applicator

Get the best from the Gras-Master...