Hornby Model Trains

The Success Story of Hornby Model Trains

Nobody even dared imagined that a supposed toy product could immensely influence the model trains and railways that we have today.

Hornby Model Trains is an accepted household name for railroad models widely famous in the United Kingdom and rapidly gaining popularity in the US and throughout the world. But it did no make its way there overnight. It was through profound devotion and superior craftsmanship that made their way to the top.

Hornby Model Trains was founded by Frank Hornby way back 1901. He applied for a patent for Meccano toys which he possibly tagged as a revolution in toys and educational devices for young citizens. He was immediately granted his own patent. He started toy production in the name of Mechanic Made Easy that somehow led to the institution of Meccano Limited back in 1907. His toys were a huge hit that he has to constantly move to a larger factory. They continued production in WW I and grabbed the opportunity to commence the launching of Hornby toy trains in 1920. These contemporary trains were powered by O gauge with superior clockwork motor and were made of authentic metal pressings.

Hornby Model Trains were an immediate success. So, the company took the chance to subsequently introduce more train engines and accessories. The first electric Hornby Model train was built in 1925 operating from 100-2500 volts of main power supply. The have developed a safer electronic system, thus the start of the creation of numerous electric trains.

Hornby Model Trains obtained their success in a snap that’s why they have decided to create a new line thus the Hornby Dublo ‘OO’ was initiated. This was just about half the size of the ‘O’ gauge that they first introduced. But this time, instead of pressed metals, the locomotives were made out of cast metal bodies and the wagons were made from tinplates. These electric models were very well thought of and used 12 volts as a standard power supply for OO gauge. Hornby Model Trains had to stop operations during the WW II but immediately re-opened after the war. By late 1950’s tough competitors emerged thus increasing difficulty for Hornby. They opted for alliances until they have gained freedom as an independent company in 1980.

Now the company is just simply called "Hornby", the company unquestionably had remained strong for more than a century now. They were even arguably named as one of the most favorite classic toys in the record. It’s true when they say that you can never put a good company down.

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