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...