The magazine addressed the emergence of a new hobby — the construction of models (often working) and experimental engineering, largely in metal.

It transcended class barriers, appealing to professional engineers, jobbing machinists and anyone interested in making working mechanisms.

Most of these were published in Model Engineer, and brought the construction of small passenger hauling locomotives within the reach of the typical home machinist.

Such articles range from single pages to long-running series in successive or alternate issues, some of which can last for many months, if not years.

Over the years the magazine has waxed and waned, but is currently enjoying the increased popularity of the hobby engendered by the availability of comparatively cheap machine tools from China and Taiwan.