British Railway Modelling Magazines

Like all hobbies, railway modelling has its dedicated publications for enthusiasts and followers. There are currently four main UK based magazines, all of which follow the same general format of product reviews, layout features and "how to" articles.

All of these can be found on the shelves of most national newsagents, such as WH Smiths, and also at many model railway shops. Alternatively, they can all be bought on subscription and will arrive in the post every month. If you read magazines regularly, subscribing is a good idea as it's cheaper in the long run and usually also gives you exclusive access to subscriber-only benefits.

If you prefer not to read your magazines on paper, digital subscriptions are increasingly available, either web-based or using a dedicated tablet app.

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Digital

Railway Modeller is the oldest UK model railway magazine currently in print, the first edition having been published in 1949. The current editor is Steve Flint, who many will recognise as one of the judges on Channel 5's "Great Model Railway Challenge".

Railway Modeller is published by Peco Publications, the publishing arm of Peco, one of the UK's leading suppliers of model railway accessories and track. For much of its history it had the tagline "For the average enthusiast", reflecting its intention to be aimed at the mainstream modeller rather than those with more esoteric interests. The current tagline is "At the heart of the hobby".

As of 2021, Railway Modeller is still the best-selling UK model railway publication.

In the current issue

Railway Modeller
May 2024
Get ready to be inspired with the latest issue of Railway Modeller! From Graham Farish LMS ‘Twins’ to Cavalex Models Class 56 Co-Co, this issue is packed with reviews and features on everything from BR Sectorisation to narrow gauge cement works. Dive into the world of railway preservation and model a Scottish terminus in O scale.

Railway Modeller - May 2024

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Digital

Model Rail was originally a supplement to Rail Magazine, and was launched as a standalone publication in 1997. Slightly unusually, Model Rail is published four-weekly rather than monthly, meaning that there are thirteen issues a year. Model Rail is published by Bauer Media, and the current editor is George Dent.

Model Rail's current tagline is "Innovative • In-Depth • Independent", reflecting its lack of ties to any other model railway publisher or maufacturer. However, as part of the Bauer Media group, it remains the sister publication of Rail Magazine which covers the full-size aspect of railways.

In the current issue

Model Rail
May-24
Model Rail May-24

Model Rail - May-24

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Digital

British Railway Modelling, or BRM as it's commonly abbreviated, was first published in 1993.

Published by Warners Group Publications, BRM is part of the "World of Railways" stable which includes the RMweb discussion forum, other railway and modelling magazines and three major model railway exhibitions. A "Gold" subscription is available which includes not just the magazine but access to online archives, track plans and a free ticket to one of the shows.

In the current issue

British Railway Modelling (BRM)
May 24
Welcome to the May 2024 digital edition of BRM – now including Traction Magazine!
Becoming a digital reader means you can enjoy the excellent May issue of BRM and Traction magazine a week before it arrives in the shops, with added extras, including this month’s edition of World of Railways TV, plus a FREE issue of Narrow Gauge World and Garden Rail magazine – meaning the digital issue of BRM is over 300 pages this month!
World of Railways TV In this latest issue of World of Railways TV, we revisit Hope-under-Dinmore before it’s due to appear at our Bristol exhibition next month, Phil Parker builds a 009 display track for his growing collection of trains, plus Tony Wright puts the new Hornby Fowler 2-6-4T to the test on 'Little Bytham'.

Sit back, relax, pop the kettle on, and enjoy the latest instalment of World of Railways TV.

What’s Inside BRM May…
FOUR FANTASTIC LAYOUTS * Metcalfe Road (OO) * Chieftain Place (N) * Trowland (S) * Barrihandie Part II (OO)
PRACTICAL ADVICE * Modelling coal loads * How to enhance a Hornby crane * Build a Lomac in OO * Fitting out a signal box * Elevate your card kits * How to model deep water in six steps * Build a Goods Shed: Part 3

PLUS * Traction magazine: Stirling station explored, grain and timber terminals in detail, plus much more…
* Reviews of the new Accurascale Mk. 2b coaches, Hornby HST, Heljan Class 47, Dapol Class 59, plus much more * History of semaphore signals explored * A round-up of the latest headlines from the model railway world
Enjoy the issue!

British Railway Modelling (BRM) - May 24

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Digital

Despite the name, Hornby Magazine covers all model railway brands, not just Hornby! The name is licensed by the publishers from Hornby Hobbies, as it was felt that the name recognition would help gain readership. The first edition was published in 2007.

Hornby Magazine is published by Key Publishing, and the current editor is Mike Wild. Because of the branding tie-in with Hornby, Hornby Magazine is aimed slightly more towards newcomers to railway modelling than the other magazines, and makes a point of avoiding the use of too much "technical language".

In the current issue

Hornby Magazine
May 2024
BLAIR ATHOLL Scotland’s finest Highland Main Line ‘OO’ layout heads south for the first time – EVER!
COMPETITION Win a Bachmann DCC Sound Class 90 worth £330
FIRST REVIEWS • Heljan’s all-new Class 47 • Hornby ‘TT:120’ HST arrives
• Farish LMS ‘Twins’ for ‘N’ • Accurascale Mk 2s for ‘OO’
EXCLUSIVE Hornby 2024 TT:120 Catalogue. Click on the cover link to view on keymodelworld.com

Hornby Magazine - May 2024

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