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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MODEL RAIL

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Model Rail essential information

The RESULTS • Every year we ask you to vote for your favourite model from the past 12 months. Model Rail’s Model of the Year 2020 covers all of the models we had for review from January 2020 (MR269) to December 2020 (MR281). There were 13 categories for you to vote in, and here are the results.

MODEL RAIL’S ‘16XX’ PANNIER TANKS ARE HERE!

CLASS 20/0 HEADLINES BACHMANN QUARTERLY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Bachmann Europe 2021 Q1 announcement list in full

HATTONS ‘GENESIS’: PROGRESS REPORT

In brief

ACCURASCALE REVEALS ‘COIL A’ TRIPLE PACKS FOR AUTUMN

NEW DEVELOPMENTS AND JOBS AT KERNOW

NUREMBERG SHOW POSTPONED… • …BUT NEW PRODUCTS ANNOUNCED FROM MAJOR EUROPEAN BRANDS

According to Chris… • …a bad workman blames his tools, but what about the rest of us?

Steel in the limelight • Kyle Humphries knew that there was only one way to get a true-to-life rendition of Port Talbot steelworks – scratchbuilding.

SCANDAL in Swindon • The ‘56XX’s’ troubled birth shook Swindon to its core, but after the teething troubles had been ironed out, the class went on to become a rugged stalwart, writes Richard Foster.

BUILD AN ETCHED CHASSIS KIT • Our locomotive building expert Dave Lowery upgrades a Bachmann ‘56XX’ with an etched brass chassis kit from Comet Models.

Workbench • 21 pages of projects, advice and top tips that show you how

MAKE A START IN ‘O’ GAUGE PART TWO • Last month, Chris Nevard began by laying the track and installing the scenery on his new micro layout. Here, he explains how he created the lifelike buildings and added the final touches to his first 7mm scale project.

BUILD A ‘MIRROR MICRO’ LAYOUT • A micro layout with automated locomotive action can provide the answer to space-starved modellers. Graham Goodchild reveals how he built this amazing shoebox-size layout, using a mirror to add extra depth.

Automated shuttle modules

BUILD A PLASTIC COACH KIT • Ratio’s recently relaunched plastic coach kits are the perfect basis for a modelling project. George Dent reveals how he built and improved an ex-Midland Railway suburban coach kit.

WHAT IS (AND ISN’T) IN THE BOX?

ANIMATE YOUR LAYOUT • Peter Marriott tests a system that can give movement to cyclists, boats, cars… and skiers!

Magnorail systems and bicycles

SCRATCH BUILD A MODERN DEPOT • As Steve Nall demonstrates, modelling a modern depot, such as that you’d find on a preserved railway, is all about careful observation of the finer details.

A childhood dream come true • Rapido Trains UK’s operations manager Andy Hardy tells Model Rail the story of how ‘Lynsford’ came to be.

6ft by 4ft ‘L’-shaped • Paul A. Lunn offers a couple of slight variations on the 6ft by 4ft theme, inspired by the popular Somerset & Dorset line and the Cromford & High Peak route through the wilds of Derbyshire.

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

Bachmann Class 20/3

Revolution Class 92

KR Models English Electric gas turbine GT3 4-6-0

Hornby 4 and 6-wheel...