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

INTERNATIONAL N GAUGE SHOW - A SNEAK PEEK

STOP PRESS

BACHMANN AUTUMN ANNOUNCEMENTS

SONIC GOES FOR THE K CLASS

ACCURASCALE LAUNCHES ANOTHER CHARITY SPECIAL

TIME FOR 'TT' • Following Ben Ando’s comments in last month’s Inside Track, SIMON KOHLER – Hornby’s former Marketing and Development Director and a key player in launching the ‘TT:120’ range – got in touch to share his thoughts on this emerging scale.

Modeller's Bookshelf • GEORGE DENT presents a quartet of new titles to inform and inspire your modelling.

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

EXHIBITION DIARY – SEPTEMBER 7–OCTOBER 13 2024

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 CONTRAST OF STYLES • Dave Lowery has added two new – and very different – modern wagon types to his collection, with the aid of 3D printing.

CDAs arrive at Fowey

Postcard from Wales • Chris Gadsby found time on his holiday to visit the delightful Bala Lake Railway, hoping to see a former Model Rail project on display.

Inside track with Ben Ando • Ben Ando is the founder of Revolution Trains and a regular contributor to Model Rail.

Ahead of the curve • ‘Brinklow’ brings together the formidable talents of Milton Keynes MRS, and it’s already scooped several awards that recognise the sheer quality of the modelling.

3 things we like

HEAT 'ON' • When their working lives were over, a small fleet of Pilot Scheme diesels found life anew as carriage pre-heating units. Chris Gilson takes a closer look at these unusual survivors.

HOW TO MODEL A DIESEL CARRIAGE PRE-HEATING LOCOMOTIVE • George Dent models one of the Class 24s retained for pre-heating coaching stock, making good use of an old Bachmann model.

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

HOW TO BUILD A GASHOLDER • Grahame Hedges adapts a plastic kit to recreate a once-typical feature of towns and cities.

HOW TO BUILD A CLASP STATION • Chris Leigh remembers CLASP station buildings and constructs one using Smart Models parts.

HOW TO SHOOT YOUR LAYOUT WITH A CAMERA PHONE • Today’s smartphones offer the potential to create high-quality images of our models. Chris Nevard shows you how to achieve the best results.

AND FINALLY

HOW TO BALLAST YOUR TRACK • One of our most frequently asked questions from aspiring model railway builders is how best to ballast the track. George Dent describes a tried-and-tested approach – and you can save on an exclusive ballast bundle from Geoscenics.

Muck and brass • Remembering the dirt and decay of the 1950s, Brian De La Cour crafted this very photogenic diorama that captures an essence of his childhood memories.

3 things we like

Rapido Metropolitan Railway 'E' Class

3 things we like

Factfile: Rapido Metropolitan Railway 'E'...