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

EXCLUSIVE! CLASS 12 SHUNTS FORWARD

BACHMANN'S SPRING UPDATE OFFERS VARIETY

SIGN UP FOR A HIGHLY DETAILED ‘ELECTROSTAR’

REVOLUTION UPSCALES HUNSLET 0-6-0DE TO ‘OO’

‘CROMPTONS’ MOVE AHEAD

Modeller's Bookshelf

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

EXHIBITION DIARY - APRIL 6-APRIL 27 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 Wagons front and centre • George Dent has made a little progress on ‘Lisburn Lane’, installing a siding in the foreground, complete with abandoned connection with the main line.

MIDLAND PULLMAN HST COMPLETE

Inside track with Ben Ando

The RESULTS • It's time to reveal the best ready-to-run locomotive and rolling stock models of 2024 – and the most popular retailers – as voted for by YOU.

‘OO’ gauge

‘009’ gauge

‘N’ gauge

TT:120 gauge

‘O’ gauge

Retailer of the Year

Interchange of the imagination • Reimagining Yeovil Junction as a place where Southern and Western regions met, Mike Turton then had to figure out how to fit it into his garage, while still accommodating the car.

3 things we like

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

HOW TO CUSTOMISE A SIGNAL BOX KIT • Chris Nevard tweaks Peco's new Highland Railway signal box kit and transplants it to a light railway setting in the South West of England.

HOW TO DETAIL YOUR ‘LEADER’ • CHRIS LEIGH tweaks the KR Models Bulleid ‘Leader’ for a fictional future in the West Country.

HOW TO SCRATCHBUILD A RAIL OVERBRIDGE STEEL • Peter Marriott revisits a favourite prototype structure and constructs a replica using foam sheet and mounting card.

HOW TO BUILD A PLATFORM FOOTBRIDGE • CHRIS LEIGH builds a delicate but straightforward laser-cut kit of a staple GWR structure.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN GRAFFITI TRANSFERS • Peter Marriott sets out on a mission to see if he can create his own decals – and learns a few things in the process.

Branch line • Ffestiniog Railway volunteer Nigel Smith was keen to depict the railway he works on as accurately as possible, and used his knowledge of trees to good effect.

3 things we like

Heljan Class 26/1

3 things we like

Factfile: BR Class 26

Accurascale Ruston & Hornsby 88DS

3 things we like

FACTFILE: RUSTON & HORNSBY 88DS

Accurascale BR Mk 2c coaches

3 things we like

Cavalex Models O&K PHA/JYA wagons

3 things we like

Accurascale/ Locomotion Models Class 55

Sonic Models Motorail Car Transporters

Rapido GWR ‘B-set’ coaches

3 things we like

Oxford Rail RCH 12ton tank wagons

Peco BR ‘Clayhood’ wagons

Backscene • Too many projects? CHRIS LEIGH defends keeping busy – very busy!

Model Rail