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

MODEL RAIL

Life’s better with Model Rail

Model Rail essential information

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

HORNBY 2021 RANGE REVEALED

In Brief: Steam highlights

In Brief: Diesel & Electric highlights

In Brief: Hornby RailRoad Plus highlights

LOCOMOTION MODELS LATEST

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

According to Chris… • ...hospitality had a very different definition in the 1950s.

A tribute in tracks • What started out as a large fiddleyard became an exhibition layout with particular significance for Bradford Model Railway Club.

Power precautions

STEAM Underground • In the 50th anniversary of their withdrawal, Model Rail presents a guide to the steam locomotives that once belonged to one of the most iconic urban transport operators in the world.

Steam on the Met

BUILD A MET ‘E’ 0-4-4T • Dave Lowery banishes the winter blues by building one of London Transport’s eclectic range of steam locomotives from a South Eastern Finecast metal kit.

Workbench • 20 pages of projects, advice and top tips that show you how

MAKE A START IN ‘O’ GAUGE • Chris Nevard’s first real foray into 7mm scale has yielded an innovative micro layout that fits inside a wooden box. Here, Chris explains how he laid the track and created the scenery.

WEATHER A DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE • Weathering expert George Dent shows you how to achieve ultra-realistic results with minimal tools and materials.

BUILD A NARROW GAUGE LAYOUT • Peter Marriott dives head-first into the world of narrow gauge railway modelling.

WHAT IS ‘OO9’?

List of narrow gauge railways in the UK

RESTORE WOOD KITS • After discovering a long-forgotten timber kit in his garage, Chris Leigh decided to put some wind in his sails by reviving this ‘OO’ windmill.

Prototype Factfile: Windmills

Pitstone Mill

CREATE REALISTIC ROADS • Peter Marriott’s lockdown layout called for a variety of road surfaces, so he decided to try some new techniques and materials.

Under new management • ‘Pre-loved’ layouts offer the perfect answer when you don’t have the resources – including time – to build one from scratch, as Southampton Model Railway Society discovered.

MORE 6’ BY 4’ SOLUTIONS • Last month, Paul A. Lunn offered a number of ideas for building a serious layout within the archetypal train set ‘footprint’. Here, he presents a few more plans, with the onus on recreating the character of a line, rather than a single location.

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

Dapol GWR ‘43XX’ 2-6-0

Accurascale PTA/JTA/JUA tipplers

Hornby Mk 1 buffet cars

Graham Farish Class 31/6

Hornby four-wheel coach

Woodland Scenics fencing

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

CONTACT US

Behind the Backscene • Model Rail fires the questions at king of the downloadable kit,