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

CLUB DISASTER HITS STAGE AS A TOP COMEDY DRAMA

‘SCOTSMAN’, BLUE ‘SHEDS’ AND MORE TT:120 MODELS FROM HORNBY

ANOTHER CLASSIC DIESEL FOR ‘TT’

COALS TO GLOUCESTER

UPDATE: RAPIDO'S ‘SMALL PRAIRIE’ AND ‘RECTANK’

CLARK RAILWORKS IS THE ‘GUV’-NOR!

K-TYPE PULLMANS… IN COLOUR!

MORE COACHES – AND A ‘90’ – ARRIVE WITH HORNBY

FULL-SIZED ‘MODEL’ LOCOMOTIVE LAUNCHED

BLUEBELL CHEESE DELIVERY

MODERN SIGNALLING SHOWCASE AT RAIL LIVE 2026

In Brief

BEYOND THE WIRE

Modeller's Bookshelf • Richard Gunn, Peter Marriott and George Dent present a quartet of books to inform and inspire your modelling.

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

PERFECT PEEPS

CONCRETE JUNGLE

ANIMAL MAGIC

EXHIBITION DIARY – AUGUST 1-AUGUST 31

…and finally

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.

SHOW & TELL MORE S&T FOR S&T • More of George Dent's collection of Signal & Telegraph Department rolling stock has been enhanced with a spot of weathering and convincing wagon loads, courtesy of Modelu.

Inside track with Ben Ando

FULL TO THE ‘BRIM’ • With encouragement from family, and a mate Down Under, Matt Stringfellow took the plunge and built his first ever layout, ‘Brimmingham’, based somewhere in Glamorgan or Lincolnshire… or both!

3 things we like

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

CREATE A GREAT ‘GRID’ • George Dent sets about customising a pair of Hornby Class 56s, testing out a new range of decal setting solutions in the process.

DECALS ON UNEVEN SURFACES

WEATHER TIMBER-BODIED PRIVATE OWNER WAGONS • Chris Nevard transforms a rake of pristine timber-bodied coal wagons, with an eye on creating a more distressed appearance.

Make your mark

RESEARCH ESSENTIALS

HOW TO MAKE REMOVABLE COAL LOADS

DOUBLING UP A PAIR OF ‘TWENTIES’ • Dave Lowery creates a pair of electrically conjoined Heljan Class 20s, simplifying DCC operation and saving a few ‘bob’ in the process.

BUILD A CEMENT LOADING SIDING • A trip to Switzerland inspired Peter Marriott to make this modern single siding terminal, based on an industrial scene close to Lake Lucerne.

PROTOTYPE INSPIRATION

Nicely weathered

WEATHER A WAGON - WITH A TWIST • Steve Nall experiments with a photo-realistic weathering technique, employing a novel approach to create DIY decals.

PROTOTYPE FACTFILE

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

ALTERNATIVE ALSTON • Peter Brown's reinterpretation of Alston recreates the railway and urban landmarks of the Cumbrian town, but does so in compact ‘N’ gauge finescale form, more easily transportable for exhibitions.

3 things we like

Irish Railway Models NIR DL Class Hunslet

3...