Model Trains by Hornby

Hornby is a brand name almost synonymous to the model railroading hobby. With almost a century's worth of models contributed to the world of model railroading, the Hornby name is well known not just in its home in Britain, but around the world.

The road to success wasn't easy for Hornby. When it started in the 1920s, it had to work with non electric model trains. Electric motors were not yet stable enough for model trains so the first Hornby models were O scale clockwork trains. These ran completely mechanically, like a wind up clock. Eventually they would produce OO scale electric trains in the 1930s and this would end up to be the line that put them on the map. 

However, as the market got more competitive around the 1950s and 60s, the company ran into trouble. It changed hands three times during the years between 1960 and 1980. They first got merged with their rival company Tri-ang Railways. Then they were bought by Dunbee-Combex-Marx. Finally in the early 80s, Hornby got a fresh start through a management buyout, making it an independent company from then on.

With this new start, the company stayed true to what made it great. Their OO scale electric trains are now one of the most popular trains in the world if not the most popular, especially in Britain. The product line up has grown so big, including new and old trains as well as coaches, cars, and carriages. They have even modeled some famous trains in the entertainment business, namely Thomas the Tank Engine from the popular TV show and books and The Hogwarts Express from the Harry Potter movies. They are today's largest producer of the OO scale all around the world.

Hornby has even introduced a live steam engine in the OO scale. These live steam engines are actually run by steam power. They use electric heaters to heat up the water in their tanks and make the resulting steam run the train engine. One of the first models they made for the live steam line was of the famous Mallard, the British steam engine that broke the world speed record for steam powered locomotives.

The OO scale has been the corner stone of the Hornby production line and Hornby has delivered more and more every year to the scale. Their models and miniatures have come to include not just the trains and tracks but also replicas of the world itself. Their Skale world products have given enthusiasts ready-made models to build their own life like miniature towns and cities. These include the Skaledale line for houses and buildings, the Skaleauto line for cars and other vehicles, the Skalescenics for trees, grass, and other vegetation, and the Skalelighting line for realistic miniature lights. They even have landscaping materials for the enthusiast to build whatever miniature world imaginable.

With its success, Hornby has also expanded into other scales as well. With their acquisition of Italian and French companies like Lima, Rivarrosi, and Arnold, they created Hornby International, an umbrella company that sells HOs and N scale trains and sets. With their acquisition of Corgi Classics Ltd, and its model train company Bassett Lowke, they now also sell a die-cast metal O scale train line.

With great products and a vast array of available choices, the Hornby brand is a shining picture of success. Today, it has continued to grow in popularity and has found its way into the hearts and homes of many hobbyists around the world. Should you have dreams of starting your own train set or collection, Hornby may be the right place to start.