Hornby (Meccano/Triang Hornby)
106+ years and still operating (founded 1920)
About Hornby (Meccano/Triang Hornby)
Frank Hornby introduced his famous O-gauge tinplate train system in 1920, which became Britain's most beloved toy train brand. Lines Brothers acquired Hornby in 1964, creating Triang-Hornby. The brand continued independently and is today owned by Hornby plc, which also owns Airfix, Scalextric, and Corgi.
Founding
Frank Hornby, a Liverpool clerk who had already invented Meccano and who launched a clockwork tinplate railway under his own name in 1920.
History of Hornby (Meccano/Triang Hornby)
Hornby trains began as O-gauge clockwork tinplate: sturdy, brightly enamelled, mechanically simple and sold as an expandable system in the way Märklin had established. Through the 1920s and 1930s Hornby became the British toy train, and Hornby O gauge in its distinctive boxes is one of the defining objects of a British interwar childhood.
Hornby Dublo, launched in 1938 at half the size, was the more consequential product. It brought scale railway modelling within reach of an ordinary household in an ordinary room, and postwar Dublo — three-rail at first, later two-rail — set the standard for British OO. Die-cast locomotive bodies, accurate liveries and a comprehensive accessory range made it a serious modelling system rather than a toy.
Meccano Ltd was acquired by Lines Brothers in 1964, which merged Dublo with its own Tri-ang Railways to create Tri-ang Hornby; the brand then passed through Airfix and Palitoy ownership before becoming the independent Hornby Hobbies. It remains the leading British model-railway name, and its acquisition of Airfix, Scalextric and Corgi has concentrated much of British toy history in one company.
Timeline
- 1920Frank Hornby launches O-gauge clockwork tinplate trains
- 1925Electric O-gauge is introduced
- 1938Hornby Dublo launches in OO gauge
- 1964Lines Brothers acquires Meccano and forms Tri-ang Hornby
- 1972The business passes to Airfix
- 1996Hornby Hobbies becomes independent and later acquires Scalextric, Airfix and Corgi
Notable & Best-Selling Toys
- Hornby O-gauge steam train sets
- Hornby Dublo (HO/OO scale)
- Hornby 'Flying Scotsman' loco
- Hornby 'Mallard' A4 Pacific
- Hornby Railroad OO sets
- Hornby Thomas the Tank Engine sets
Identifying & Dating Hornby (Meccano/Triang Hornby) Toys
- Look for "HORNBY" or "HORNBY SERIES" transferred or stamped on tinplate bodies, with "Made in England by Meccano Ltd"; Dublo carries "HORNBY-DUBLO" on the model and box.
- Boxes are the primary dating tool — Hornby box design, colour and printing changed frequently and is documented in detail by collectors.
- Tri-ang Hornby branding on a box places it after 1964, which is an immediately useful bracket.
Collector's Notes
- Prewar O gauge is collected on paint and completeness. Original enamel with minimal chipping, correct couplings and the original box drive prices; repainting is widespread.
- Early three-rail Dublo is inexpensive and plentiful, but scarce liveries, short-run wagons and complete boxed sets with track mats and instructions are the exception.
- Watch for mismatched restorations on tinplate — reproduction transfers, replacement tenders and reproduction boxes all circulate, and reproduction Hornby boxes are convincing enough to fool the unwary.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When was Hornby (Meccano/Triang Hornby) founded?
Hornby (Meccano/Triang Hornby) was founded in 1920, based in Liverpool, England.
Is Hornby (Meccano/Triang Hornby) still in business?
Yes. Hornby (Meccano/Triang Hornby) is still operating today, 106+ years after it was founded.
What is Hornby (Meccano/Triang Hornby) best known for?
Hornby (Meccano/Triang Hornby) is best known for Hornby O-gauge steam train sets, Hornby Dublo (HO/OO scale), Hornby 'Flying Scotsman' loco, among other toys.
Where was Hornby (Meccano/Triang Hornby) located?
Hornby (Meccano/Triang Hornby) was based in Liverpool, England.
What kinds of toys did Hornby (Meccano/Triang Hornby) make?
Hornby (Meccano/Triang Hornby) is categorized under trains, electric toys, die-cast.
Who founded Hornby (Meccano/Triang Hornby)?
Frank Hornby, a Liverpool clerk who had already invented Meccano and who launched a clockwork tinplate railway under his own name in 1920.
How can you identify genuine Hornby (Meccano/Triang Hornby) toys?
Look for "HORNBY" or "HORNBY SERIES" transferred or stamped on tinplate bodies, with "Made in England by Meccano Ltd"; Dublo carries "HORNBY-DUBLO" on the model and box. Boxes are the primary dating tool — Hornby box design, colour and printing changed frequently and is documented in detail by collectors. Tri-ang Hornby branding on a box places it after 1964, which is an immediately useful bracket.
Are Hornby (Meccano/Triang Hornby) toys valuable?
Prewar O gauge is collected on paint and completeness. Original enamel with minimal chipping, correct couplings and the original box drive prices; repainting is widespread. Early three-rail Dublo is inexpensive and plentiful, but scarce liveries, short-run wagons and complete boxed sets with track mats and instructions are the exception. Watch for mismatched restorations on tinplate — reproduction transfers, replacement tenders and reproduction boxes all circulate, and reproduction Hornby boxes are convincing enough to fool the unwary.