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

BACHMANN'S WINTER 2026 PROGRAMME EFE RAIL LAUNCHES CLASS 313 & 314

SUPER SHUNTERS ALMOST HERE

OTHER ‘OO’ HIGHLIGHTS

OTHER ‘N’ HIGHLIGHTS

FARISH HALLS FINALISED

P&T CRANE RETURNS, PLUS A ‘LAB 10’ FOR CLUB MEMBERS

HORNBY REVEALS WINTER ADDITIONS

HELJAN BOLSTERS ‘37’ FLEET

FIRST ‘323’ EP BREAKS COVER

DECORATED ‘SHEDS’, BIG AND SMALL

NORTHERN IRISH ENTERPRISE

NSE ‘47’ FROM KMRC

MIOG CHARITY SPECIAL

REVOLUTION FUNDRAISER

AIMREC OPENS ITS DOORS TO THE PUBLIC

EXHIBITION DIARY - NOVEMBER 22 2025-FEBRUARY 21 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 BELGIAN BLOCKS • On a recent visit to a model railway exhibition in Belgium, Peter Marriott's imagination was captured by something a little different.

Inside track with Ben Ando

MODEL RAIL'S Christmas GIFT GUIDE • All we want for Christmas is this sparkling line-up of 10 of the best gifts for railway modellers, as chosen by George Dent and the Model Rail team - plus you could win a Hornby retro train set worth £170!

THE ROOM FILLER • Paul Davey refers to his ‘St Paul's’ layout as compact - yet it takes up an entire room of his house and is still only a quarter of the size of what he's planning.

3 things we like

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

HOW TO PAINT A ‘CASTLE' FOR 1948 • The advent of Great British Railways reminded Chris Leigh of the first time Britain's railways were nationalised, and some of the livery experiments that took place.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN LASER-CUT CARD KITS • Getting to grips with a laser cutter proved to be a game changer for Ralph Robertson.

HOW TO CUSTOMISE A SET OF RAILTRACK AUTO-BALLASTERS • A chance visit to Didcot Yard inspired Steve Nall to model and weather a fixed formation of Bachmann JJA Auto-Ballaster wagons in Railtrack livery.

HOW TO CUSTOMISE BR BALLAST WAGONS • There's nothing fishy about Dapol's ‘Turbot’ ballast wagons, as they offer a superb rendition of these bulk ballast carriers from the late British Rail era. George Dent explains how he gave his fleet a distressed appearance.

HOW TO BUILDING PONTS MILL • In this latest instalment of his Cornish china clay micro layout build, Peter Marriott talks us through the creation of the delightful scenery.

HOW TO INSTALL DCC INTO ‘O' GAUGE DIESEL LOCOMOTIVES • In Dave Lowery's own words, he's no electronics nerd, but he's successfully equipped countless Heljan locomotives with DCC-controlled lights and sound. Here, he shares his tried-and-tested approach.

SHOW & TELL • The place to share your projects with the Model Rail community.

GREAT EASTERN PROMISE • For Paul Madge, building his compact ‘Broadgate' London terminus layout was an opportunity to rediscover old skills and...