Main Lines: 6th December 2025
Welcome to this week's Main Lines.
Over the past week, UK railway news has centred on Avanti West Coast’s controversial 7 am Manchester–London service, which will now continue carrying passengers after plans to run it empty sparked widespread criticism. South Western Railway has confirmed its veteran Class 455 EMUs are entering their final weeks of operation ahead of withdrawal before Christmas. LNER has outlined a major enhancement programme for the East Coast Main Line, aiming to provide around 60,000 additional seats through service upgrades. Meanwhile, new figures from the rail regulator highlight London Liverpool Street as the nation’s busiest station once again, while Elton and Orston in Nottinghamshire remains the least used, recording just 68 passenger entries and exits last year.
Model Railways news has been busy again with a host of new releases, including the Gaugemaster Collection Class 73s, Hornby Steam locomotives and new items from Oxford Diecast and Rail. Coming soon are some new wagons from Peco, and Metcalfe has announced new tiling packs. All of this and more in this week's Main Lines.
In This Issue:
Continental Railway News
British Model Railway News
Gaugemaster Collection Class 73s In Stock Now!
The long-awaited Gaugemaster Collection Class 73s have landed, perfectly timed for Christmas, and they are already proving to be must-have additions for any Southern Region modeller.
Gaugemaster Collection OO Scale Track Cleaner In Stock Now!
We are pleased to announce a restock of the Network Rail OO Scale Motorised Track Cleaning Wagon.
Dapol Releases: December 2025 to January 2026
Take a look through all the upcoming releases from Dapol. The two big releases this update are the Class 59s in OO Scale and the Class 33s in N.
Hornby Releases: December 2025
Take a look through all the upcoming releases from Hornby this month. There are some releases that we know will already be popular, so make sure you pre-order now to ensure you get yours first!
Metcalfe Announce New Roofing Tiles Multipacks
New from Metcalfe: Roofing Tile Packs in both 00 & N scale. These new multipacks will contain two sheets of each of the following: Blue Slate Tiles, York Stone Tiles, Red Clay Tiles, Red Clay Pantiles and one sheet of Grey Slates, with the N Scale pack having an additional sheet of the Grey Slates.
Oxford Rail Releases: December 2025
Due in the next few days are the hotly anticipated new-livery Pilchard Wagons from Oxford Rail.
Limited Edition Pecorama Rolling Stock Available To Order
Following the sad news of the closure of Pecorama for the 2026 season, Peco has a little end-of-season stock from the Pecorama and Beer Heights Light Railway shops. Normally only sold by Pecorama, we are delighted to be able to offer three of their Limited Editions: two wagons and a coach.
Peco Christmas Wagons Available Again!
Whilst Peco are not producing any new Christmas wagons for this year, they have rereleased some from 2023 and 2024. These quantities are limited, but will be popular, so make sure you preorder yours now!
Continental Model Railway News
Piko Announce Wagon Celebrating 190 Years of German Railways
To mark 190 years of railways in Germany, Piko is releasing a special HO Scale commemorative wagon. This highly desirable collector’s item is produced as a very limited edition and will be available soon.
Roco Release Twindexx Double-Deck Trains
The first batch of Roco Twindex train packs will soon arrive. Featuring a new design, prototypical interior fittings in all coaches, power distribution couplings between all coaches, and elaborate design with many separately attached details, these fantastic limited editions are already gaining a lot of interest.
Other Model Railway News
Oxford Diecast Releases: December 2025
The Oxford Diecast December new releases are here - arriving perfectly in time for Christmas. Among the standout additions are the eye-catching 1:76 Coca-Cola Christmas Scania T-Cab livery returning in time for the festive season.
New Arrivals Into Stock This Week
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...
If you are interested in modelling beyond the railways, why not check out one of our sister publications? Published monthly, check your email preferences to subscribe!
KITS & BITS
Your Monthly Model Kit Newsletter
Published First Friday of the Month
This newsletter will focus on everything plastic kit related, including news from Airfix, Tamiya, and Revell.
PIT STOP
Your Monthly Slot Car Newsletter
Published Second Sunday of the Month
This newsletter will focus on everything slot car related, including news from Scalextric, SCX and Carrera.
THE CABINET
Your Monthly Collectables Newsletter
Published Third Thursday of the Month
This newsletter will focus on everything collectables related, including Corgi, Oxford, and Herpa.