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

Meet the team behind the UK’s best modelling magazine

Model Rail essential information

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

HELJAN’S 2022 PLANS REVEALED

NOCH MARKET STALL PACKS

Modeller’s Bookshelf

ON THE WORKBENCH • George Dent looks at the new products to land on his workbench this month

EXHIBITION DIARY - JANUARY-APRIL 2022

...and finally • Unusual scenes captured by the lens of Chris Nevard…

MODEL RAIL MODEL OF THE YEAR 2021

Lighting the scene • George Dent has been making use of the winter evenings by installing a backscene and lighting rig to ‘Lisburn Lane’.

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

According to Chris… • Some people always go above and beyond, making a special place in everything they touch and everyone whose lives they affect. Chris remembers one such person, Allan Weare, who passed away recently.

Be true to your shelf • Rising to the challenge of creating a layout in a constricted area - in this case a shelf– Paul Marshall Potter has still managed to imbue his layout with atmosphere and operational interest – and future expansion potential.

Workbench • 19 pages of projects, advice and top tips that show you how

HOW TO GET THE BEST FROM A MODERN CONVERSION KIT • George Dent employs a 3D-printed bodyshell and a Hornby chassis to create a lesser known Stanier 0-4-4T.

FIRST AND LAST – PROTOTYPE FACTFILE • Steam Railway editor Chris Gilson recounts the history of the Stanier suburban tank locomotives.

HOW TO BUILD A LASER-CUT PUB • Laser-cut kits are a great way to ease yourself into scratchbuilding, says Chris Nevard.

HOW TO MODEL WATERFALLS - THE EASY WAY • Peter Marriott demonstrates two methods for modelling realistic waterfalls.

HOW TO BUILD A 3D-PRINTED WAGON KIT IN ‘N’ • Short bogie tank wagons were rare in the UK, but a small fleet was built for liquid chlorine traffic in the late 1950s. Grahame Hedges recreates one in 2mm scale.

HOW TO UPGRADE YOUR BUS FLEET • Former London Transport apprentice Paul Gosden has customised a fleet of die-cast buses for his impressive, scratchbuilt dioramas.

Filling the seats

Know your stuff • This is where our team of experienced modellers answer YOUR questions. Email your queries about railways - real or model - to modelrail@bauermedia.co.uk

KNOW YOUR… LIVERIES • Paul Chancellor takes a look at the colour schemes worn by former Southern Railway locomotives in the first years of the nationalised railway.

An unexpected use for press studs

Scrapheap challenge • Inspired by a world portrayed in a cult comic book, Paul Rolley found real scrap value in his choice of setting.

TRIANGULAR junctions • Few railway junction layouts grab the attention like a triangle, especially in model form. Design hero Paul A. Lunn offers a range of ideas for layouts large and small.

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

Dapol GWR ‘Large Prairie’

Heljan Class 47

Peco L&B goods...