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

EXCLUSIVE ATOMIC WAGONS MOVE AHEAD

REVOLUTION ‘ELECTROSTAR’ IS GO!

RAPIDO LAUNCHES NARROW GAUGE RANGE

DEMOUNTABLE TANKS BRING CHEER

CLASS 66 IN COLOUR

RETURN OF THE ‘K3’

MORE Mk 2Fs & DBSOs

LMS BRAKE VAN PROGRESS & CONTAINER FLATS REPRISED

NEW BACHMANN MODELS FOR ISLE OF WIGHT

BRUSH TYPE 4 QUARTET FROM FARISH

FARISH FREIGHT HIGHLIGHTS

In Brief

HUNSLET TO HELP PUT WILBERT BACK ON SHOW

KERNOW HELPS GIVE ‘4-VEP’ A BOOST

SHOW PREVIEW: PERTH 2025

RUST IN A BOX

Modeller’s Bookshelf • Richard Foster, Nick Brodrick and George Dent 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?

EXHIBITION DIARY – JUNE 6-JULY 19 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 Factory production • With one last gap in the backscene to fill, George Dent has made progress on another industrial building for his layout project.

A SHABBY SOUTHERNER

SADDLE UP FOR SOME FUN

Inside track with Ben Ando

No place like home • Despite leaving their beloved Black Country for a new life in Cornwall, Neil Woodbine and Sue Farmer returned to their roots with this new layout, which captures the essence of Wednesbury in the late BR period.

3 things we like

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

HOW TO TRY A NEW WAY OF WEATHERING • Chris Nevard scratches a lingering itch by giving one of Model Rail’s exclusive Ruston & Hornsby ‘PWM’ locomotives a suitably grimy appearance, using water-based paints that can be removed easily if things go wrong.

Model Rail’s 8 ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR BETTER SCENIC MODELLING • Want to start scenic modelling but don’t know where to start? Peter Marriott offers eight essential products that will help you get the best from your layout.

HOW TO BRING THE CABS OF OLDER MODELS TO LIFE • With modern ready-to-run diesel-outline models excelling in the art of interior decor, what can we do to improve the spartan cabs of older models? George Dent offers some simple tips.

HOW TO DETAIL A LOG LOADING SIDING • Peter Marriott explains how even the most basic of freight facilities can be given enough interest and detail to catch viewers’ eyes.

PROTOTYPE INSPIRATION: LOG LOADING IN THE WEST HIGHLANDS

A Capital case • Can a London terminus be recreated in just over a square foot? Paul Page set himself the challenge to do just that, building an atmospheric layout within a wooden wine box.

3 things we like

Swan song • Having grown tired of exhibiting large layouts, Graham Chandler opted for something a little more manageable, creating a fictional ex-Great Western branch line near the end of its operational life.

3 things we...