Hornby Railways

Hornby Railways

Model trains were first produced in the 1850s., 

Since then, they have been driven by steam, clockwork, our electricity, and made in a variety of gauges, early versions were made in Germany by companies such as Marklin.

Today’s, model trains can be picked up at toy fairs, car boot sales, charity shops, and specialist auctions.

Frank Hornby launched the first quality train set in 1920 and they are immensely popular. Hornby’s earlier clockwork trains were toy like, but he soon produced more realistic designs.

Hornby Railways

Prices vary, a 1930s Hornby  LMS tank locomotive is worth about £35-£45 $45-$55 while a rare 1938 the Southern Railways locomotive and tender may fetch at auction anything from £400-£600 or $600-$800. Hornby scaled-down mass production trends soon cornered the market, compact and competitively priced, they were ideal for the more confined home.

During the 1930s the company introduced the even smaller, realistic Dublo range which had more detailing than past models.

Hornby Railways

Hornby had to complete with 00 gauge trains of German companies Marklin, and Trix.

Post-World War II 00 gauge Hornby trains were of poor quality and were phased out by 1969.

Hornby models to look out for include clockwork Dublo trains produced before 1940,

a 1935 Hornby o gauge may fetch more than $1000 £800 at auction.

Three real sets, the centre track been the  electricity pick up ,are  very desirable.

Hornby Railways

They were produced from the 1930s until the late 50s, when Hornby resorted to cheaper plastic packed track with two rails

the introduction of plastic trains in the mid-1950s was a disaster for the company and it was taken over by Tri-ang, which eventually went out of business in 1971.

The Hornby name lives on today under Hornby Railways.

I hope you have found this page on Hornby Railways to be both informative and helpful.

Happy hunting from the collectables coach