Main Lines: 10th October 2026
Welcome to this week's Main Lines.
British railways continue to benefit from investment in new trains, station facilities and infrastructure. Northern is preparing to introduce 37 refurbished Class 350 trains from 2028, offering improved passenger comfort and additional capacity. Meanwhile, a £54 million contract will upgrade Manchester Airport station, extending platforms and improving track and signalling infrastructure to accommodate more services.
Elsewhere, Scotland is progressing with a major electrification programme in Fife, including bridge, track and signalling improvements to support future battery-electric trains. Accessibility is also improving through the expansion of Welcome Points at railway stations, providing passengers with dedicated assistance and journey information. Additionally, the Office of Rail and Road is consulting on proposed ticketing rules intended to encourage fair competition and maintain passenger choice as Great British Railways develops its future role.
In This Issue:
British Model Railway News
European Model Railway News
Other News
British Model Railway News
TT:120 New Item Announced
Dapol has announced the expansion of its popular track cleaning car range into TT:120, bringing the proven functionality of its OO Gauge Track Cleaner to the growing TT:120 market.
OO New Items Announced
Popular Dapol OO Gauge wagons are returning to the range, offering railway modellers another opportunity to add some classic goods rolling stock to their layouts.
OO Gauge Releases: November/December
An exciting selection of new Dapol OO Gauge rolling stock is expected to arrive during November and December 2026, offering plenty for enthusiasts of both modern and historical British railways.
N Gauge Releases: November/December
An exciting selection of new Dapol N Gauge rolling stock is expected to arrive during November and December 2026, offering plenty for enthusiasts of both modern and historical British railways.
O Gauge Releases: November/December
An exciting selection of new Dapol O Gauge locomotives and rolling stock is expected to arrive during November and December 2026, offering plenty for enthusiasts of both modern and historical British railways.
TT:120 New Items Announced
Hornby has announced the latest additions to its growing TT:120 range, with a strong focus on British diesel traction and the rolling stock, buildings and infrastructure needed to create a convincing diesel-era layout.
Latest Updates from Layout Concepts
Reliable power distribution is essential for smooth-running DCC model railways. The Layout Concepts range offers practical solutions, including intelligent circuit breakers, Power Bus Tag Strips and solder-free connectors, helping modellers simplify wiring, protect individual power districts and create neat, reliable electrical installations for new layouts and existing systems alike.
Little Cardleywick Additions
Metcalfe Models is expanding its range of card model railway kits with a charming new collection of buildings for creating a traditional rural railway scene.
PL10 - is Going Discontinued
Peco is simplifying its Pecolectrics turnout motor range, announcing that the PL10 Turnout Motor will be phased out in favour of the PL10E Turnout Motor.
New Item Announced - Peckett 1287 Class
Rapido Trains UK is bringing one of Britain’s best-loved industrial steam locomotives to OO gauge with its highly detailed ready-to-run model of Peckett No. 1631 Marcia.
Now Available from Gaugemaster
Gaugemaster is pleased to introduce ZIMO, a leading name in digital model railway electronics, to its range. Renowned for high-quality DCC decoders, sound decoders and advanced digital control systems, ZIMO technology is designed to give railway modellers precise control, smooth locomotive performance and enhanced operational realism.
European Model Railway News
New Items Announced
Lemke has announced the latest additions to its Hobbytrain range, with a selection of new European railway models covering both N Gauge and TT Scale.
New Items Announced
The latest N Gauge releases inspired by the Rhaetian Railway (RhB) bring together some of the most recognisable locomotives and rolling stock from Switzerland's spectacular metre-gauge network.
Class 56.34-35 - A True European Locomotive
Märklin have announced a new H0 scale model of the DRB Class 56.34-35 steam locomotive, bringing an important European steam locomotive design to the model railway market. The new model is being produced in cooperation with PIKO Spielwaren GmbH and will feature extensive detailing alongside modern digital functions.
New Items Announced
miNis by Lemke has announced a new selection of detailed road vehicles for N Gauge modellers, adding two classic European commercial vehicles to its growing range.
New Product Announcement
PIKO has surprised model railway enthusiasts with the announcement of a newly tooled H0 scale model of the DRB Class 56.34-35 steam locomotive, unveiled at the Leipzig Hobby Fair. Produced in collaboration with Märklin, the new model will join the PIKO range as a DC locomotive in Era II, with three versions planned: analogue, digital sound and Expert Plus.
New Item Announcement
Viessmann is expanding its model railway electronics range with the introduction of Qdecoder, a specialist selection of accessory decoders designed for the digital control of points, signals and lighting around a model railway.
Japanese Model Railway News
New Concrete Unitrack Packs
KATO is expanding its N Gauge UNITRACK PC concrete sleeper range with a new track expansion set designed to add greater variety and elevation to layouts.
Track Cleaning Patrol Tram
KATO has introduced a new Rail Cleaning Vehicle, also known as the "Patrol Tram", providing N Gauge modellers with a convenient way to keep UNITRACK clean and maintain reliable train operation.
Other News
Oxford Diecast Rememberance Models
Oxford Diecast’s Remembrance Day collection offers a thoughtful way to mark and remember the service and sacrifice of those who have served, with specially finished models based on familiar British emergency vehicles.
Check out the new items that have arrived into stock since the last Main Lines update. The list might be a bit long, but it's packed with exciting finds we think you'll love.
End of The Line
That's the end of the line for this week. We will be back next week with another packed edition of Main Lines.
Until then, Happy Modelling
Before you go...
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This newsletter will focus on everything plastic kit related, including news from Airfix, Tamiya, and Revell.
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