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

Meet the team behind the UK’s best modelling magazine

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

MODEL RAIL/HELJAN CLASS 48 UPDATE

In Brief

HATTONS GENESIS COACH PREVIEW

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

Modelling Lives • Tales from the model-making community.

According to Chris... • … the model industry may be in a downward spiral of caution and commercialism that does modellers no favours…

Action station • How do you depict hundreds of miles of journey on a layout? Mark Wilson has pulled it off with aplomb in this garage-based ‘U’ shaped masterpiece.

PART AND PARCEL • Chris Leigh models the time when you could send almost anything by passenger train.

Scenic details • Here’s a summary of the products that I used.

Travelling safes or strongboxes

Pigeons

Bring me water

Workbench • 25 pages of projects, advice and top tips that show you how

BUILD A STATION PLATFORM • Chris Gadsby describes how he went about building the platforms for his layout, and offers tips and advice so you can avoid panic stations.

BUILD A FOOTBRIDGE

HOW TO ADD THE DETAILS

HOW TO DISTRESS A TIMBER-BODIED WAGON • Steve Nall offers an innovative means of creating peeling paint and rotten wood effects using fine metal leaf.

HOW TO CUSTOMISE A MODEL TRUCK • Taking a break from trains and buildings, George Dent turns his attention to trucks, combining a pair of 1:76 scale plastic kits to create a rigid drop-side Volvo F12.

WORKBENCH TEST LASER-CUT CATENARY • There are numerous catenary packs on the market, but Peter Marriott tries out an overhead line mast system using an alternative material and approach.

HOW TO GET THE BEST FROM 3D-PRINTED BUILDINGS • George Dent trials a new range of ‘N’ gauge structures and shares some simple tips for creating a realistic finish.

Calm before a storm • Attracted by the ambience of a sleepy English town, Mike Carter set aside his interest in US railroads to create this exhibition-standard layout.

Ticket to RYDE • Paul A. Lunn’s latest micro layout plan has an Isle of Wight theme.

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

Hornby original ‘Merchant Navy’ 4-6-2

System builder • Other items to complement this model…

EFE Rail ‘Shark’ ballast plough brake van

EFE Rail ‘Mermaid’ Ballast Wagon

Kernow/Revolution Trains IZA Cargowaggon Twins

Reviews

All about the aggregate • When the Redruth Model Railway Club discovered the previous exhibition layout had gone mouldy, members created a new one with an elaborate back story…

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…

Model Rail

Behind the Backscene • Model Rail puts Montana Hoeren in the hot seat, and discovers that she has a penchant for upcycling and is about to begin her first layout.