Hornby is a household name and is famous as the UK brand leader in the model railway hobby. The company's founder was Frank Hornby (1863 - 1936) who applied for a patent in 1901 to protect an invention he called 'Improvements in Toy or Educational Devices for Children and Young People. Nobody then could have imagined how this product would influence the model railway hobby that we know today.

The Beginning of Hornby

Frank Hornby was granted his patent and soon put the invention into production under the name Mechanics Made Easy. This led to the establishment of Meccano Ltd in 1907. Such was the success of the Company, Frank Hornby had to regularly move his factory to new and larger premises. Meccano was to become one of the classic toys of all time.

Meccano Production

Hornby O Gauge Locomotives

Meccano production continued during the First World War and Hornby took the opportunity to introduce toy trains in 1920. Hornby Trains were powered by a high quality clockwork motor, made of metal pressings held together by Meccano nuts and bolts, and 0 gauge in size.

Hornby Trains were an instant success and the company was quick to introduce more engines and accessories. In 1925 the first Hornby electric train was produced, operating from a mains supply of 100-250 volts. By 1929, Hornby had evolved a much safer system and electric models worked from a six volt DC source.