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

ACCURASCALE SNAPS UP HELJAN

AIMREC OPENS IN STYLE

EXCLUSIVE ‘TRACTOR’ DUO

GWR ‘45XX’ NEXT FROM RAPIDO

HORNBY UNVEILS NEW ADDITIONS TO 2026 RANGE

RAPIDO'S EVOLUTION CONTINUES

A ‘LANKY’ LEGEND REBORN

RAPIDO UNLEASHES THE ‘RECTANK’

CAVALEX UNVEILS FIRST ‘47’ EP

HORNBY ‘DELTIC’ MAKES AN ENTRANCE

FARISH UPDATES ‘20’ TOOLING

EXCLUSIVE ‘UNDERGROUND’ CLASS 66 DUO

THIRD BRUSH TYPE 2 RUN ON THE WAY

RHTT AND ‘CEMFLO’ WAGONS MAKE WELCOME RETURN

In Brief

COBBLING IT TOGETHER

Modeller's Bookshelf • George Dent and Richard Gunn present a trio of new titles that will inform and inspire your modelling.

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

EXHIBITION DIARY APRIL 10 – MAY 10 2026

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 TIME FOR A BRAKE • Feeling the need for some time away from a computer screen, George Dent got busy with a trio of brake vans, adding some colourful variety to his fleet of BR engineers’ stock.

CLEANLINESS IS A VIRTUE

Inside track with Ben Ando

BUSMAN'S HOLIDAY • What do you do with a spare piece of bus floor? Make a model railway, of course! James Rowlands invites us to explore his atmospheric slice of 1980s Birkenhead.

3 things we like

The safer option • Andrew Barclay's ’Caledonia’ class 0-4-0Fs were Britain's archetypal fireless locomotives. Their sturdy, simple design and suitability for use in hazardous locations meant they became some of the last industrial steam locomotives in commercial use.

HOW TO WEATHER A FIRELESS LOCOMOTIVE • The humble fireless locomotive provided industry with a safer means of transport and, thanks to Rapido, we now have an off-the-shelf model option. Chris Nevard shows you how to add a suitably work-stained appearance to your 0-4-0F.

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

HOW TO CUSTOMISE A HELJAN CLASS 33/0 • Having a soft spot for the ‘Cromptons’, George Dent couldn't wait to add a few tweaks and a weathered finish to Heljan's new model.

HOW TO SET THE SCENE • A non-working scenic diorama, or ‘photo plank', is a fun way to pose your models, either just for show or for a photo shoot. Here, Peter Marriott explains how to create a mini backdrop that's limited only by your imagination.

HOW TO RENDER AND DETAIL A CLASSIC FARM BUILDING • This versatile laser-cut kit offers many possibilities for rural or coastal locations and, as George Dent demonstrates, it can be readily enhanced with the aid of modelling clay.

RICHMOND RE-IMAGINED • Peter Brown's 'N' gauge version of Richmond in North Yorkshire wonderfully captures the essence of a bustling northern market town, with a busy railway scene right at its heart.

3 things...