Hornby 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. 

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.

In 1980 the company, now known as Hornby Hobbies Ltd, became an independent company.

Hornby launched the first commercially produced ‘00’ gauge live steam locomotive in September 2003, paving the way for another product line to the Company’s already expanding range, consisting of more than 650 current items.

Now simply called "Hornby", the company justifiably retains the position it has held for more than 50 years as Britain’s leading model railway manufacturer.