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

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

HORNBY SWEEPS UP WITH THE BRUSH TYPE 4

NEW COACHES JOIN THE RANKS

TABLE-TOP SCENICS

RAPIDO’S POCKET PECKETT

RAPIDO’S FIRST ‘OO’ DIESEL

MORE STROUDLEY MAGIC FROM RAPIDO

KERNOW SPECIAL ‘D1s’

NRM’S FRIENDLY ‘GRONK’

ACCURASCALE PUTS UP THE BARRIERS

ELECTROSTAR UPDATE

SPECIAL ‘GRID’ SUPPORTS THE REAL THING

SHABBY SHUNTER FROM KMRC

CLARK RAILWORKS SHRINKS ITS ‘PRESFLO’

DAPOL CLEANS UP

In Brief

SUBURBAN EPs UNDER REVIEW

BUXTON WAGONS TO BOOST BAGNALL

PUKKA PORTALS

Modeller’s Bookshelf • George Dent and Richard Gunn present four new titles to inspire and inform your modelling.

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

EXHIBITION DIARY - OCTOBER 24-DECEMBER 30 2026

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 PUTTING THE BRAKES ON • George Dent has added a few more 1980s-era British Rail service wagons to his operational fleet, enhanced with a spot of weathering.

Inside track with Ben Ando

A ‘JUST’ CAUSE • Is it time for the ‘roundy micro’ layout to be in vogue again? Tom Nowell’s busy Great Western junction shows what’s possible with an old-fashioned train set track plan.

3 things we like

Rescue Mission • More than 150 former Barry scrapyard locomotives have been restored over the past six decades, but a great many others did not make it. Thomas Bright explores the mixed fortunes of the engines sentenced to oblivion – and the now-legendary Welsh site that became a haven.

HOW TO MODEL A BARRY SURVIVOR • Inspired by stories of steam locomotives saved from the famous Welsh scrapyard, George Dent salvages an old model and transforms it into an eye-catching train.

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

HOW TO ‘FUEL’ IDEAS FOR A DIESEL TANK • Chris Nevard makes good use of scrap components to create an elevated diesel fuel tank.

HOW TO TACKLE A TRIO OF BRUSH TYPE 2S • One of George Dent’s favourite diesel types gets the weathering treatment…

MODELLING SHOWCASE BUILDING A PROTOTYPE HST POWER CAR IN ‘O’ • Making use of design software and 3D printing, Nigel Hurst also employed plenty of good old-fashioned scratchbuilding to create a striking replica of a landmark diesel.

ON TEST NOCH’S NEW GRAS-MASTER TOOLS • How effective are Noch’s latest Gras-Master 4.0 tools? Peter Marriott road-tests these innovative devices and compares them to their predecessor.

YARD SALE • This is Stephen Landucci’s tale of how you can accidentally fall into ‘O’ gauge modelling - with stunning results…

3 things we like

How we test

Accurascale Hunslet ‘Austerity’ 0-6-0ST

3things we like

Sonic Models LBSC K Class 2-6-0

3 things we like

Dapol Class 66

3 things we like

Hornby LNER Class...