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| Hornby Railways |
During
the 1930s a number of economic and social changes contributed to the
changes in toy train sizes. Houses and flats became increasingly
smaller, which meant that space was no longer available for the
larger 0 gauge model railways. A smaller toy train was introduced.
The
popular 0 gauge to)- and model trains of the period were not cheap. A
Hornby electric set would cost £3/12/6 and a Bassett-Lowke electric
model of the LNER 'Flying Scotsman' would have set you back £4/10/-.
This may
not sound expensive today, but at a time when £3 was The
publicity department of the Meccanno Company, makers of the
Hornby-Dublo range were masters of their art in the dull days just
after WWII. They produced wonderful posters to advertise their
products, such as this one. ©Barry Potter Auctions the
average weekly wage it was considerably costly.
It was
the German firm of Bing that first produced what they termed as a
'Table Top Railway'. This was followed in Britain with the
introduction of the 'Trix-Twin Train Table Railway', made by Bassett-
Lowke in 1936. Both of these systems were based on a gauge which was
half the size of the older 0 gauge, (i.e. 0 gauge measures 32mm
between the rails of the track, 00 gauge measured 16mm).
The
Trix-Twin system was a huge success with many of the model shops
selling-out within weeks of their deliveries.
The
recent developments had not gone unnoticed by the Meccano Company,
makers of the Hornby Railway 0 gauge system. In 1937 they decided
they would join the trend and produce a range of 00 gauge model
railways. It was during one of the company's planning meetings that
the name 'Dublo' was given to the system, by the Commercial Director,
George Jones. One of the most famous names in toy railways 'Hornby-
Dublo' was born.
In 1938
the first models appeared, the LNER passenger engine 'Sir Nigel
Gresley' with a set of coaches and a small goods engine, together
with 12 or so goods wagons. Both engines were available either
electrically driven or clockwork. Sadly all of this happened after
the death of the founder of the Meccano Company, Mr Frank Hornby, who
died in September 1936.
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| Hornby Railways |
Hornby-Dublo
trains were so popular that the press reported of queues forming at
toy shops when news of deliveries was known. This high demand
was mainly due to the large price differential between the new
Hornhy-Dublo trains and the Trix-Twin models.
The
'Sir Nigel Greslev' electric version sold for £1/9/6, whereas the
similar Trix-Twin locomotive sold for £4/7/-. Meccano's experience
of producing diecast models as Dink)' Toys greatly assisted in
keeping production costs to a minimum. With plans to produce more
locomotives and rolling stock during 1939, they issued catalogues
presenting new additions to the range. They included wooden stations
and the most famous locomotive, the 'Duchess of Atholl".
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| Hornby Railways |
Sadly the
momentum was to be lost with the outbreak of World War II. The
government banned all production of toys, and the Binns Road factory
in Liverpool was used for essential war work.
It was in
December 1947 that the models began to reappear, although without the
clockwork versions and in very limited numbers. Even by late 1948
some items were only available to order if you were lucky.
When
supply did steadily start increasing it was hit by a material
shortage caused by the outbreak of the Korean war in 1951.
No new
products were introduced during that year and it wasn't until 1953
that production became near normal. In the same year two new versions
of the express locomotives appeared, the 'Duchess of Montrose' and
'Silver King', to be followed a year later by a new express
locomotive, the 'Bristol Castle'.
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| Hornby Railways |
During
it'he following years various improvements and items were added to
the range but it jn 1959
(hat the major alteration to the Hornby-Dublo system was made. Up
until then, the trains were driven by the 12v current supply from an
insulated centre third rail.
With I he
advancement of technology it was possible to do away with the centre
third rail, giving the model layouts a much more realistic look. It
also heralded a release of new locomotives, and rolling stock
produced to the new 2-rail system. Meanwhile the company continued to
produce the old 3-rail models.
Many
commentators have attributed this decision as one of the main factors
in the downfall of the Hornby-Dublo range, which ended w hen it was
taken • over by the Tri-ang company in 1964.
Also in
1959 a number of models were given new names and liveries. The
British Rail locomotive 'Silver King', which was a 3-rail model
became 'Golden
Fleece (2-rail) and the "Bristol Castle' (3-rail) became
'Denbigh Castle', (2-rail). In almost all cases the 3-rail versions
of the locomotive command a higher price.
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| Hornby Railways |
As the
years progressed boys interests changed. Space and science fiction
programmes became increasingly popular with the related toys Hooding
the market. In 1963 the Meccano company announced losses of more than
£400,000, and finally in 1964 Tri-ang's parent company; Lines
Brothers, purchased the Meccano company for £781,000.
It is
hardly surprising that after all these years almost every item which
was produced under the name of 'Hornby-Dublo' attracts a great deal
of interest, and is eagerly collected.
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| Hornby Railways |
The value
of items are dependent on their condition. All prices provided are an
average, at auction they may be higher or lower.
- Small Tank engine British Rail, 3-rail Version,
No 69567
- £30-125.
2-rail
version, No 69550 - £25-80.
- Sir Nigel Gresley, No 4498, pre-war clockwork - £400-850 pre-war electric - £600-900.
- Sir Nigel Gresley, No 7, post-war electric - £100-175.
- Silver King, No 60016 - £50-110.
- Mallard, No 60022 - £85-150.
- Golden Fleece - £75-125.
- Duchess of Atholl, No 6231 - £50-100. (If it has a yellow name plate it can sell for much more.)
- Duchess of Montrose, No 46232 -£55-95.
- City of Liverpool, No 46245, 3-rail - £250-320.
The
value of coaches and wagons vary a great deal, from as little as £5
to £350.
For
further information on Hornby-Dublo contact the Hornby Railway
Collectors Association. Formed more than 40 years ago, it now has
over 8,000 members world-wide. The Membership secretary, Bob Field,
can be contacted on: 0115 962 5693.
Collectibles Coach
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