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

MODEL RAIL EXCLUSIVES UPDATE

CLASS 12s MAKE IT ASHORE AND INTO STOCK

GETTING THE HUMP

SCOTTISH TANKS AHEAD

UPGRADE FOR BACHMANN CLASS 47s

DECK THE HALLS

GRESLEY MAYBES

EXCLUSIVE NRM CLASS 91

TT:120 IS THREE

HORNBY’S GOLDEN DUO

HORNBY’S LATEST ARRIVALS

PARKSIDE HOPS TO IT

MORE ‘J26S’ IN STOCK

CLASS 92 BATCH TWO ANNOUNCED

BEILHACKS PLOUGH ON

SOUND-FITTED CLASS 89 ARRIVES

BULLEID PALVANS NEXT FROM IRM

SHUNTERS FOR MODELLING PUNTERS

Modeller’s Bookshelf • George Dent and Chris Leigh present four new titles that will inspire and inform your modelling.

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

SHINE A (MODERN) LIGHT

SECURITY MATTERS

TERRIERS AND GAMEBIRDS

EXHIBITION DIARY – OCTOBER 25-NOVEMBER 16 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 Sulzer Type 2 takes to the rails • George Dent completes the weathering of Model Rail’s exclusive Class 26, adding a crew and some simple extra details to the cab interior.

Inside track with Ben Ando

Fifty not out

LIFE IN A NORTHERN DEPOT • For Ian Dalby, capturing the grimy glory of the real railway was one of the chief objectives of his depot-based ‘O’ gauge layout with an extraordinary level of fine detail.

3 things we like

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

HOW TO BUILD A BRICK AND STEEL OVERBRIDGE • Another scenic element of Chris Nevard’s embryonic new layout has been completed, in the form of twin overbridges, which will form effective scenic breaks. Here, Chris offers a range of useful assembly and painting tips.

HOW TO CREATE AN ANIMATED CANAL LOCK • With all the recent focus on rail’s bicentenary, it’s important to not overlook one of the other great transport systems of the early 1800s – canals. Graham Goodchild constructs a simple working canal lock, allowing a narrowboat to rise and fall at the flick of a switch.

Mirror mirror…

PART 2 HOW TO BUILDING PONTS MILL • After outlining the baseboard construction last month, Peter Marriott turns his attention to laying the track and installing a concrete apron on his new Cornish-themed layout.

Aging the ballast

HOW TO REFURBISH KITMASTER COACHES • Can Chris Leigh manage to make a serviceable Southern Region express formation from a donated carrier bag of elderly Kitmaster Mk 1 coaches?

200+ YEARS OF THE RAILWAY IN MINIATURE • The urge to create model trains can be traced back to the genesis of the real railway. George Dent examines how what was once a pastime of the affluent few became a mass-market hobby that endures to this day.

AGAINST THE ODDS • This is a layout that probably wouldn’t have been built, had not David Joughin battled back against a life-changing medical condition. The results speak for...