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
June 2024
This month's iss we have a reversible layout project in 4mm from Hemyock to Otterford, the story behind one group’s annual layout building competition and a Richmond station - described, drawn & modelled in N. Plus, all the usual features and reviews, such as, Hornby all-new LMS ‘Black Five’ in OO, HST power cars and Mk.III trailers in TT:120, Class 59s from Revolution Trains and Dapol in N

Railway Modeller - June 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
Jun-24
Get all the in-depth knowledge and unique crafting skills in this months issue. Packed with painting tips, reviews on new products, and more...

Model Rail - Jun-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)
Jun 24
Welcome to the June 2024 digital edition of BRM – now including Traction Magazine!
Becoming a digital reader means you can enjoy the excellent June issue of BRM and Traction magazine a week before it arrives in the shops, plus every digital issue includes this month’s edition of World of Railways TV!
World of Railways TV In this latest issue of World of Railways TV, we watch the trains go by on our cover layout, The Viaduct, Phil Parker demonstrates a simple technique for painting bricks on model buildings, plus Tony Wright puts the new Hornby P2 with steam generator to the test.

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

What’s Inside BRM June…
FOUR FANTASTIC LAYOUTS * The Viaduct (N) * Longmorn (OO) * Bakewell Street (O) * Foxbury (3mm)
PRACTICAL ADVICE * How to ballast 009 track * Weathering a steam loco: top tips
* Enhance your buildings * Adding details to a RTR locomotive * Create a steam-era bus stop * Modelling a coal staithe * How to build a truss bridge
PLUS * Traction magazine: Driving Class 47s, a day at Crewe, plus much more…
* Reviews of the new Hornby Class P2 with steam generator, Revolution Class 59/0, Rapido 1907 RCH open wagons, plus much more * History of the Class B1 explored * A round-up of the latest headlines from the model railway world
Enjoy the issue!

British Railway Modelling (BRM) - Jun 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
June 2024
MODERN MARVEL Recreating Fairwood Junction, Wiltshire, in the present day
COMPETITION Win a Hornby ‘Black Five’ worth £230
IN-DEPTH REVIEW Hornby’s all-new Stanier ‘Black Five’
BUYING SECOND HAND An introduction to the money saving world of pre-owned models
HEWISBRIDGE REVISITED We venture to the 1960s on the famous Waverley Route in 4mm scale
FREE New Model Guide 2024

Hornby Magazine - June 2024

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