Modern Railway Modelling is three years old and still delivering the same unique blend of quality articles and inspirational prototype features on the modern railway scene as it was at the beginning. The emphasis on technology continues with this issue as we take a look at the latest decoder technology and apply it to a Hornby Class 67. Even the owners of the layouts we feature increasingly prefer DCC for control for an enhanced driving experience and this issues feature layout, ‘Great Endon’, by Carl Bowden is no different.

Layout construction has always been an important part of the hobby and Peter Marriott expands on this subject by describing how he built his first US outline diorama whilst layout operators and builders alike will find the feature on Kadee uncoupling magnets of use, we are sure, including the advantages and disadvantages of the various types.

Wagon and freight enthusiasts have been well catered for and we offer an article on constructing a Genesis kits XKB Flatrol MJJ wagon together with additional information to supplement the article on Sea Cow ballast wagons featured in issue 11.

Richard Bucknall demonstrates how he converted the Hornby Class 101 into a power-trailer set with a very simple but effective conversion whilst Pete Thorpe creates a Class 48 in 2mm finescale.

Continental outline modelling is represented by East Neuk MRC’s St Adrian CFF, a Z gauge layout built for exhibition use whilst Peter Marriott reviews the Liliput HO scale Bo-Bo 842 Class locomotive, Brawa’s Talent multiple units, BR 219 DR HO scale locomotives and continental outline coaching stock.

We review the new Hornby Pendolino, put the Bachmann Farish Class 57 through LocoTest with some interesting results and present an update on the ViTrains Class 37/4.

Steve Grantham looks at the HO scale RS32 diesel from Atlas, rounding off an exceptionally packed and exciting issue of Modern railway Modelling!

• Ian Futers builds a Tower Models Class 20 kit for is O gauge layout, Loch Lochy and describes how he does it. The article includes prototype photographs for reference.
• Nigel Burkin profiles 57 601 from a modelling perspective in his article 'Ronnie' which includes a review of the Bachmann Collectors' Club model and prototype information.
• A Hornby Class 60 is treated to a dose of weathering in James Makin's article; A Dirty, Dull 'Donut'.
• A PFA in N gauge is the subject of our rolling stock feature in which Nigel Burkin describes how he built and finished the C-Rail Intermodal PFA kit.
• Our cover story is Oulton TMD, Allan Cromarty's 4mm scale DCC layout.
• James Makin looks at the performance of the Bachmann Class 66 and shows how to fit additional pickups to the earlier version of the model.
• Peter Marriott produces a little slice of Scottish scenery with his West Highland layout.
• Prototype Pictorial features the Class 158 working in Scotland. This collection of prototype photographs shows that not all Class 158s are the same! This is followed up with a review of the limited edition AMRSS Class 158 in First ScotRail livery.
• Our comprehensive review and locomotive testing project features the new ViTrains Class 37/4 model. How well has ViTrains done with its first British outline locomotive?
• The Heljan Cargowaggon is put under the microscope and comprehensively examined.
• Battle of the ballast wagons - the Hornby 'Sealion' and Bachmann 'Sea Cow' go head-to-head.
• Steve Grantham examines the EMD Model 40, a small industrial locomotive produced by Roundhouse in HO scale.
• Great GUV! The new Bachmann General Utility Van is closely examined by Nigel Burkin.
• International modelling news includes new releases from Atlas, the Mehano ICE and double F3 by Proto 1000.