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

UPDATE: BACHMANN CLASS 69

HORNBY'S 2025 RANGE

ACCURASCALE'S RUSTON IS HERE!

RHAPSODY IN BLUE BY RAPIDO

MUSEUM SPECIAL ‘SINGLE’

Modeller's Bookshelf • Chris Leigh and George Dent present four new titles to inspire and inform your modelling

ON THE WORKBENCH • What new products have appeared in George's workshop this month?

EXHIBITION DIARY – FEBRUARY–MARCH 2025

Unusual scenes captured by the lens of Chris Nevard

News Real • Our full-size railways are constantly evolving, providing fresh inspiration for modelling projects. BEN JONES looks at a few of the latest developments that could soon be appearing on our layouts.

Staff Show & Tell A towering tale • George Dent has scratchbuilt another low-relief building for his layout, fitting it into an awkward area of the backscene.

Power car progress • DAVE LOWERY continues building a set of HST power cars in ‘O’ gauge using a fascinating kit from PRMRP.

Inside track with Ben Ando

A legacy layout • Almost 40 years in the making, Phil Mason's ‘Ebridge’ covers his entire modelling life and has moved with him, and with the times.

3 things we like

MEMORY LANE

ONE OF A KIND

Workbench • Inspirational projects, advice and top tips that show you how

HOW TO BUILD WHITEHALL HALT PART TWO • Chris Nevard concludes his story of how this delightful snapshot of the Culm Valley line was created, focusing on the scenic elements.

HOW TO DISTRESS PRIVATE OWNER WAGONS • With an urge to recreate a fleet of shabby private owner wagons for the BR steam era, George Dent seeks to create a greater sense of texture to plastic bodyshells.

HOW TO USE PLASTER TO CREATE LIFELIKE ROCK FACES • Peter Marriott dons an apron and sets about testing an interesting new modeller-friendly plaster material that hails from Belgium.

HOW TO RECREATE THE UNIQUE BRUSH ‘HAWK’ • Thanks to the arrival of Heljan's RTR model of prototype Type 1 10800, Tony Kunzmann was able to attempt a conversion project to depict an important research locomotive.

Factfile: Brush Traction's ‘Hawk’

HOW TO BUILD A CLASSIC GWR HALT IN ‘O’ GAUGE • Chris Leigh brings together Timber Tracks and Intentio structures to create a classic Great Western halt in 7mm:1ft scale.

Detail on a deadline • Despite being built within a tight three-week time limit, Dan Hughes’ ‘Katie Lane TMD’ doesn't scrimp on the detail.

3 things we like

KR Models Bulleid ‘Leader’ 0-6-0+0-6-0

3 things we like

Factfile: Bulleid's ‘Leader’ 0-6-0+0-6-0

Hornby ‘TT:120’ Class 66

3 things we like

Factfile: Class 66

Rapido Trains UK GNR Stirling ‘Single’ 4-2-2 (1938 condition)

3 things we like

Hornby Class 802/2 TPE ‘Nova 1’

3 things we like

Accurascale BR 16ton mineral wagons

3 things we like

Darstaed K-Type Pullman cars

3 things we like

Accurascale BR Mk 1 Suburban stock

Heljan 35ton Class B tanks

Hornby GWR ‘King’ 4-6-0

Hattons Genesis coaches

Kernow Model Rail Centre LBSC ‘Open A’ wagons

Parkside LNER bulk grain wagon...