About Model Rail Database

What we're building

Model Rail Database exists to be the most comprehensive, searchable catalogue of British model railway locomotives, coaches and wagons anywhere online — free to use, for every modeller, collector and historian. If a release exists, our goal is for you to be able to find it here: search by builder, catalogue number, running number, class, livery, era or scale, and find exactly the vehicle you need for your layout.

What makes us different

Most catalogues stop at "here's a product." We go further: every model in our database is linked to its real-world prototype — the locomotive class it represents, the company that built or operated the original, and, where known, the people who designed it. If you want to know not just what a model is, but what it's a model of, this is the place.

How our data is built

Since 2016, we've compiled entries from current and historical manufacturer catalogues, manufacturer press releases, direct contact with manufacturers, manufacturer and retailer websites, reference works such as Ramsay's Catalogue of British Model Trains, and auctions and auction sites.

Every entry is compiled and cross-checked by hand against multiple independent sources before it's published — we don't publish a listing on the strength of a single source alone.

Found an error, or a model we're missing?

No catalogue this size is ever complete or perfect, and we'd rather you told us than not. If you've spotted a mistake, or know of a release that isn't listed:

• Report a missing model (sign-in required, so we can follow up if we need more detail)
• or email us directly: errors.and.omissions@modelraildatabase.com

Who's behind this

Model Rail Database is built with all the love in the world by a team of geeks, with the help of some awesome contributors.