Frank Hornby (1863-1936) the inventor of 'Meccano' was also responsible for the introduction in about 1915-20 of the clockwork train sets that bear his name.

Electric powered Hornby trains first appeared in 1925. The Hornby trademark was used until 1940 when all construction of Hornby trains was halted with the onset of World War II.

Production of the toy trains resumed in 1946, though in the immediate post-war years, a general shortage of raw materials restricted production. Hence, new toy trains items were not introduced until the early 1950s.

By the late 1950s, when construction of plastic more...

For those boys who grew up in the 1950s and 1960s, a Meccano set was the equivalent to today's Xbox or Nintendo.

Meccano Ltd was invented by Frank Hornby, a young clerk who worked for a meat importing company in Liverpool, after his idea in 1901 of a new toy - 'Mechanics Made Easy'. This very quickly became known as Meccano, and was soon on sale across the world.

'The Meccano Magazine' - a monthly newsletter - was introduced in 1916 and contained articles of interest to budding engineers. It included new plans for models which could be assembled with Meccano, often more...

Frank Hornby (1863-1936) was a British inventor, entrepreneur, and toy maker, best known for creating the Meccano construction sets and the Hornby model trains.

Hornby was born in Liverpool, England, and worked as a bookkeeper before becoming interested in creating toys. In 1901, he introduced the "Mechanics Made Easy" construction set, which consisted of a series of metal strips, rods, and gears that could be used to build a wide range of models. This set was later renamed "Meccano," a name that Hornby trademarked in 1907.

The Meccano sets were an immediate success, and soon became one of the more...

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Train carriages, by Hornby three long lumber carriages and…

Hornby Lumber and Advertising Train Carriages Collection

Train carriages, by Hornby three long lumber carriages and seven advertising carriages

Track parts, by Hornby O gauge foot bridge, cattle gates and…

Hornby O Gauge Foot Bridge and Cattle Gates Set

Track parts, by Hornby O gauge foot bridge, cattle gates and bridge

Train carriages, four Hornby O gauge early Midland railway…

Hornby O Gauge Midland Railway Train Carriages, Set of Four

Train carriages, four Hornby O gauge early Midland railway width 14 cm

Hornby train, J36 class 0-6-0 673 'Maude' in black locomotive…

Hornby J36 673 'Maude' Black Locomotive & Tender with Box

Hornby train, J36 class 0-6-0 673 'Maude' in black locomotive and tender with box width 36 cm

Hornby carriages, two O gauge 1920s no.1 Gwr coaches width 16 cm

Hornby O Gauge 1920s GWR Coaches - 16cm Width

Hornby carriages, two O gauge 1920s no.1 Gwr coaches width 16 cm

Hornby train, OO gauge 2710 Gn No.1 locomotive and tender width…

OO Gauge 2710 Hornby Train Set with Gn No.1 Locomotive

Hornby train, OO gauge 2710 Gn No.1 locomotive and tender width 28 cm

Hornby train, O gauge early no. 1 0-4-0 locomotive and tender…

Early O Gauge Hornby Train Locomotive and Tender, 27cm Width

Hornby train, O gauge early no. 1 0-4-0 locomotive and tender width 27 cm

Hornby trains, two including Thomas the tank engine with any…

Hornby Trains: Thomas the Tank Engine and Zulu Carriage

Hornby trains, two including Thomas the tank engine with any carriage and and Hornby Zulu carriage

Hornby track and vintage accessories including signal house,…

Hornby Vintage Track and Accessories with Missing Clockwork Loco

Hornby track and vintage accessories including signal house, carriages etc, Note clockwork missing from loco.

2 Hornby Speedboats. Includes No.2 blue hull with a cream deck…

Hornby Speedboats - Two Models, One Box

2 Hornby Speedboats. Includes No.2 blue hull with a cream deck and dark blue trim. Missing ventilator, clockwork motor A/F, comes with a box. Also, Venture cabin Cruiser, missing one ventilator, rudder and clockwork motor, otherwise paint in very good…

A Hornby Dublo train set, purchased from the Hornby factory by…

Hornby Dublo Train Set with City of London Engine

A Hornby Dublo train set, purchased from the Hornby factory by the vendor. Includes city of London engine, coal carriage, three passenger carriages, five other assorted carriages, track and power control unit.

Old Mettoy tin plate train tracks and 1 Hornby rolling stock…

Rusty Mettoy Train Tracks and Hornby Rolling Stock

Old Mettoy tin plate train tracks and 1 Hornby rolling stock some rust

Hornby boxed train set, no. 20 goods train set. Original box

Hornby No. 20 Goods Train Set in Original Box

Hornby boxed train set, no. 20 goods train set. Original box

Two boxed Hornby pieces; goods brake van and passenger brake…

Hornby Brake Vans in Original Boxes

Two boxed Hornby pieces; goods brake van and passenger brake van, both in original boxes

Two boxed Hornby pieces; cement wagon and No.1 petrol tank…

Hornby Cement and Petrol Tank Wagons in Boxes

Two boxed Hornby pieces; cement wagon and No.1 petrol tank wagon 'Esso', both in original boxes

Two boxed Hornby pieces; No.1 buffer stop and Hopper wagon,…

Hornby Buffer Stop and Hopper Wagon in Boxes

Two boxed Hornby pieces; No.1 buffer stop and Hopper wagon, both in original boxes

4 old Hornby rolling stock including petrol tanker, Wear to…

Old Hornby Rolling Stock with Paint Wear

4 old Hornby rolling stock including petrol tanker, Wear to paint on all pieces

Two boxed Hornby pieces; gas cylinder wagon and no. 2 double…

Hornby Gas Wagon and Double Arm Signal Boxed Set

Two boxed Hornby pieces; gas cylinder wagon and no. 2 double arm signal, both in original boxes

Hornby boxed train set, M1 goods set

Hornby M1 Goods Boxed Train Set

Hornby boxed train set, M1 goods set

3 Hornby train engines and 2 open carriages, largest engine…

Hornby Train Set: 3 Engines and 2 Carriages

3 Hornby train engines and 2 open carriages, largest engine length 17 cm. Largest carriage, length 12 cm

3 old Hornby tin plate carriages, length 18 cm

Vintage Hornby Tin Plate Carriages - Set of 3

3 old Hornby tin plate carriages, length 18 cm

Three Hornby 0 gauge buildings with cardboard boxes, comprising…

Hornby 0 Gauge Buildings Set

Three Hornby 0 gauge buildings with cardboard boxes, comprising of No.3 Station 82 cm wide, Passage A Niveau No.1 level crossing and No.1 Signal Cabin

Hornby 0 gauge LMS 2180 Special Tank Locomotive No.2, with…

Clockwork LMS Tank Locomotive with Original Box (Hornby 0 Gauge)

Hornby 0 gauge LMS 2180 Special Tank Locomotive No.2, with clockwork propulsion, 28 cm long, 9 cm high key and original box included

Hornby 0 Gauge LNER Flying Scotsman locomotive 4472 and tender,…

Clockwork Hornby LNER Flying Scotsman locomotive with tender

Hornby 0 Gauge LNER Flying Scotsman locomotive 4472 and tender, with clockwork propulsion no key, 43 cm long, 9 cm high

Extensive Hornby clockwork model train collection including 2…

Hornby Clockwork Train Collection with Locomotives and Track

Extensive Hornby clockwork model train collection including 2 clockwork locomotives with tenders LNER 1842 and British Railways 60985), another locomotive a/f LMS 2270), 12x rolling stock some with boxes, signals and a large amount of track

A Hornby O-gauge clockwork No.201 Tank Goods Set, in LNER…

Hornby O-gauge LNER Tank Goods Set with 460 Locomotive

A Hornby O-gauge clockwork No.201 Tank Goods Set, in LNER livery, with No1 M3 0-4-0 Tank Locomotive 460 in good very lightly used condition, three rolling stock, 12 curved and two straight track sections. Original box (worn)

Hornby: c.1950's O gauge railway accessories No.2 milk cans and…

Blue Milk Truck and Cans O Gauge Set

Hornby: c.1950's O gauge railway accessories No.2 milk cans and truck in blue, contents are very fine in original very fine blue lift-off-lid box. (Qty 1)

Hornby: c.1950's O gauge clockwork No.101 'LNER 460' green tank…

Hornby LNER Tank Loco with Box and Papers (No Key)

Hornby: c.1950's O gauge clockwork No.101 'LNER 460' green tank locomotive (reversing). Very fine loco in very fine red lift-off-lid box with original Hornby guarantee, tested tag and instruction leaflet. Missing the clockwork key.

Train lot Hornby 'O' gauge, triple rail electric locomotive and…

Hornby 'O' Gauge Electric Train Set with 9 Carriages

Train lot Hornby 'O' gauge, triple rail electric locomotive and 9 carriages

Hornby train set boxed O gauge passenger set

Boxed O Gauge Hornby Passenger Train Set

Hornby train set boxed O gauge passenger set

Hornby carriage 'O' gauge, tinplate Crane/Box car

Hornby Tinplate Crane and Box Carriage for 'O' Gauge

Hornby carriage 'O' gauge, tinplate Crane/Box car

Hornby train boxed Hornby O gauge Tunnel (a/f: box)

Hornby O Gauge Tunnel - Boxed (a/f)

Hornby train boxed Hornby O gauge Tunnel (a/f: box)

Tin crane boxed Hornby tinplate O gauge platform crane A254

Hornby O Gauge Platform Crane A254 in Box

Tin crane boxed Hornby tinplate O gauge platform crane A254

Hornby train station 1930s tinplate Hornby Wembley station

Vintage Hornby Train Station Tinplate Wembley 1930s

Hornby train station 1930s tinplate Hornby Wembley station

Hornby train shed 4-Door tinplate, Hornby engine house, 'O'…

Hornby Tinplate Train Shed and Engine House Set

Hornby train shed 4-Door tinplate, Hornby engine house, 'O' gauge

Hornby train 'O' gauge, 5600 LMS locomotive with tender

Hornby 5600 LMS Train with Tender in 'O' Gauge

Hornby train 'O' gauge, 5600 LMS locomotive with tender

Hornby trains three O gauge tinplate great Western Railways…

Hornby's Great Western Railway Tinplate Coaches

Hornby trains three O gauge tinplate great Western Railways coaches

Hornby tinplate signal cabin, 'O' gauge

Hornby Tinplate Signal Cabin - 'O' Gauge Collectible

Hornby tinplate signal cabin, 'O' gauge

Hornby tinplate 'O' gauge water tower

Hornby Tinplate Water Tower for 'O' Gauge Trains

Hornby tinplate 'O' gauge water tower

A Hornby O-gauge clockwork No.201 Tank Goods Set, in GWR livery,…

Hornby GWR Tank Goods Set with Additional Car

A Hornby O-gauge clockwork No.201 Tank Goods Set, in GWR livery, with No1 M3 0-4-0 Tank Locomotive 6600 in good very lightly used condition, with 12 curved and three straight track sections and additional cattle car. Original box (worn)

Hornby No.2 toy steam locomotive black LNER 2711 with tender…

Hornby No.2 LNER 2711: Vintage Toy Steam Locomotive

Hornby No.2 toy steam locomotive black LNER 2711 with tender 0-gauge, circa 1925-1927, with key, 39 cm long

Hornby E220 special locomotive 'Flying Scotsman' with tender…

Hornby Flying Scotsman Locomotive with Tender and Box

Hornby E220 special locomotive 'Flying Scotsman' with tender and original box, 43 cm long

Late 1970s Hornby model of G100 Stephenson's rocket, 3½inch…

Hornby G100 Stephenson's Rocket Model

Late 1970s Hornby model of G100 Stephenson's rocket, 3½inch gauge, gas fired through a small cylinder hidden inside the dummy water barrel on back of the tender; 41 x 13 cm, height 29 cm, weight 2.90kg.

Hornby OO scale Stephenson's Rocket train appears to be unused,…

Unused Hornby OO Stephenson's Rocket Train in Original Box

Hornby OO scale Stephenson's Rocket train appears to be unused, in original box

A Bassett-Lowke 'Duke of York' 1927 locomotive, together with…

Bassett-Lowke 'Duke of York' and Hornby Pullman Carriages

A Bassett-Lowke 'Duke of York' 1927 locomotive, together with two Hornby Pullman carriages

A Hornby Wembley station

Hornby Wembley Station Model

A Hornby Wembley station

A Hornby series O gauge 3C clockwork 4-4-2 Nord 31801 all brown

Hornby O Gauge Nord 31801 Clockwork Locomotive - Brown

A Hornby series O gauge 3C clockwork 4-4-2 Nord 31801 all brown

Hornby O gauge clockwork locomotive no key, 16 cm long

Clockwork Hornby O Gauge Locomotive (No Key)

Hornby O gauge clockwork locomotive no key, 16 cm long

Hornby Book of Trains Catalogue 1938 - 9

Hornby Trains Catalogue 1938-9

Hornby Book of Trains Catalogue 1938 - 9

Hornby Book of Trains Catalogue 1930-31

Hornby Trains Catalogue 1930-31

Hornby Book of Trains Catalogue 1930-31

French Hornby Boxed Locomotive Eletrique TBB 20V SNCF BB-88051…

French Hornby Electric Locomotive and Wagon Set with Accessories

French Hornby Boxed Locomotive Eletrique TBB 20V SNCF BB-88051 blue/green livery together with boxed Wagon Bache No1, Wagon A Ranchers, Wagon A Ridellers Basses, Signal Disque and unboxed box car

Hornby 00 Western Express goods, box set

"Western Express Goods" Box Set by Hornby 00

Hornby 00 Western Express goods, box set

Hornby 00 flying Scotsman Express train set

Flying Scotsman Express 00 Train Set by Hornby

Hornby 00 flying Scotsman Express train set

Hornby Gwr, 00 box set

GWR Hornby 00 Box Set

Hornby Gwr, 00 box set

A boxed pre-war O gauge Hornby series no. 2 Railway station…

Hornby Windsor Station with Fencing

A boxed pre-war O gauge Hornby series no. 2 Railway station 'Windsor' with fencing

A collection of boxed pre-war Hornby O gauge LMS rolling stock…

Hornby LMS Rolling Stock Set

A collection of boxed pre-war Hornby O gauge LMS rolling stock consisting of a No.O fish van, No.2 high capacity wagon and No.2 timber wagon

A set of two pre war Hornby O gauge No.2 LMS 402 red saloon…

Pre-War Hornby Red Saloon Coaches, Boxed and Unboxed

A set of two pre war Hornby O gauge No.2 LMS 402 red saloon coaches, 1 boxed, 1 unboxed, circa 1927

A collection of Hornby/Meccano O gauge trackside accessories…

Hornby/Meccano O Gauge Trackside Accessories Collection

A collection of Hornby/Meccano O gauge trackside accessories consisting of a boxed Hornby Railway accessories pack no. 4 and a Meccano garage

A group containing 3 O gauge Hornby pre-war electric lamps…

Hornby O Gauge Pre-War Electric Lamps Collection

A group containing 3 O gauge Hornby pre-war electric lamps consisting of 2 single arm lamps and a boxed No.2E double armed lamp

A collection of pre-war Hornby series O gauge signals…

Pre-war Hornby O Gauge Signal Collection

A collection of pre-war Hornby series O gauge signals consisting of a No.2 signal gantry distant, double armed home signal and 2 X single arms distant signals

A pre-war Hornby O gauge 20V electric LMS 4-4-2 locomotive and…

Vintage Hornby LMS 4-4-2 Electric Train Set

A pre-war Hornby O gauge 20V electric LMS 4-4-2 locomotive and tender #6100 'Royal Scot, Circa 1930, Maroon

A pre-war Hornby O gauge clockwork 4-4-0 No.4 Eton locomotive…

Pre-war Hornby Clockwork Locomotive & Tender, Southern #900

A pre-war Hornby O gauge clockwork 4-4-0 No.4 Eton locomotive and tender, Soutern #900 circa 1937, green

A pre-war Hornby O gauge clockwork GWR 4-4-0 locomotive and…

Hornby GWR 4-4-0 Clockwork Locomotive #3821 'County of Bedford'

A pre-war Hornby O gauge clockwork GWR 4-4-0 locomotive and tender #3821 'County of Bedford' circa 1929, green

An extremely rare pre-war Hornby O gauge lattice girder bridge

Rare Hornby O Gauge Lattice Girder Bridge

An extremely rare pre-war Hornby O gauge lattice girder bridge

A pre-war Hornby O gauge electric no. 2 special 4-4-2 tank,…

Hornby O Gauge Electric Loco No. 1784 LNER

A pre-war Hornby O gauge electric no. 2 special 4-4-2 tank, loco no. 1784 LNER

A collection of Hornby Dublo boxed items consisting of an EDG7…

Hornby Dublo Boxed Collection: Trains and Apparatus

A collection of Hornby Dublo boxed items consisting of an EDG7 tank goods set, Hornby Dublo 4620 breakdown crane, EDG17 tank goods train and a 32198 Tpo Lineside apparatus

A set of 3 Hornby O gauge Southern rail boxed pieces of rolling…

Southern Rail Boxed Rolling Stock Set - O Gauge

A set of 3 Hornby O gauge Southern rail boxed pieces of rolling stock consisting of a timber wagon, Hopper wagon and guards van

A rake of 3 pre-war Hornby O gauge No.2 Pullman coaches…

Pre-war Hornby O Gauge Pullman Coaches Rake

A rake of 3 pre-war Hornby O gauge No.2 Pullman coaches consisting of 'Arcadia', 'Verona' and 'Iolanthe'

A pre-war Hornby O gauge electric #850 SR 4-4-2 locomotive and…

Hornby Lord Nelson O Gauge Electric Locomotive and Tender

A pre-war Hornby O gauge electric #850 SR 4-4-2 locomotive and tender 'Lord Nelson'

A set of 4 Middleton (Australia) O gauge 4 wheel wagons with…

Middleton O Gauge Wagon Set with Hornby Chassis

A set of 4 Middleton (Australia) O gauge 4 wheel wagons with Hornby chassis consisting of 'Sunlight Soap', 'Twinings English Breakfast Tea', 'Arnott's Biscuits' and 'Simmers Shortbread Fingers'

An early boxed pre-war Hornby O gauge clockwork no. 2 4-4-4…

Pre-war Hornby LMS Tank Locomotive with Key

An early boxed pre-war Hornby O gauge clockwork no. 2 4-4-4 tank locomotive LMS including key

A pre-war French Hornby O gauge Etat cattle wagon

French Hornby Etat Cattle Wagon (Pre-War)

A pre-war French Hornby O gauge Etat cattle wagon

An early Hornby O gauge circa 1921 4-4-0 clockwork locomotive…

1921 Hornby Clockwork Locomotive with Tender

An early Hornby O gauge circa 1921 4-4-0 clockwork locomotive and tender with Meccano trade-mark transfers and number plate 2711

A pre-war Hornby O gauge clockwork no. 2 special 4-4-2 tank,…

Hornby LNER Clockwork Tank Loco #1784, Pre-War

A pre-war Hornby O gauge clockwork no. 2 special 4-4-2 tank, loco no. 1784 LNER

A pre-war 1925 Hornby Metropolitan Railway Company locomotive…

Hornby's First Electric Locomotive: 1925 No.2 0-4-0 Loco

A pre-war 1925 Hornby Metropolitan Railway Company locomotive 0-4-0 loco No.2, the first Elctric locomotive produced by Hornby

A pre-war Hornby O gauge engine Shed no. 2, boxed, with 2 rail…

Hornby O Gauge Engine Shed with Track and Box

A pre-war Hornby O gauge engine Shed no. 2, boxed, with 2 rail track and yellow base

A Hornby O gauge E320 3 rail electric 4-4-2 flying Scotsman…

Hornby E320 Flying Scotsman Locomotive with Tender

A Hornby O gauge E320 3 rail electric 4-4-2 flying Scotsman locomotive #4472 and 6 wheel tender LNER

A rare pre-war Hornby electric E320 flying Scotsman trainset,…

Rare Pre-War Hornby Flying Scotsman Train Set

A rare pre-war Hornby electric E320 flying Scotsman trainset, consisting of 4-4-2 locomotive and tender, 2 passenger coaches 'Verona' and 'Loraine', track, accessories, Information pamphlets and original receipt from 1937, housed in original set box

A Hornby O gauge pre-war electric E220 special 4-4-0 LNER…

Pre-war Hornby electric LNER locomotive and tender

A Hornby O gauge pre-war electric E220 special 4-4-0 LNER locomotive and tender 'Bramham Moor', circa 1935

French Hornby O gauge clockwork Autorail M

French Hornby O Gauge Clockwork Autorail Train

French Hornby O gauge clockwork Autorail M

A set of 2 Hornby O gauge snow ploughs, consisting of a boxed…

Hornby O Gauge Snow Plough Set - 2 Versions

A set of 2 Hornby O gauge snow ploughs, consisting of a boxed pre-war LNER Version and unboxed yellow and blue Version

A set of 4 boxed pre-war O Hornby O gauge Ne passenger coaches…

Pre-war O Gauge Ne Passenger Coaches (Set of 4)

A set of 4 boxed pre-war O Hornby O gauge Ne passenger coaches consisting of 3 X brake third and a first/third

A boxed pre-war Hornby O gauge milk tank wagon - Nestles

Pre-War Hornby Nestles Milk Tank Wagon in Box

A boxed pre-war Hornby O gauge milk tank wagon - Nestles

A group of 2 pre-war Hornby freight wagons consisting of a…

Hornby Freight: Palethorpes and Pratt's in Orange

A group of 2 pre-war Hornby freight wagons consisting of a private owner van 'Palethorpes' and a petrol tank wagon 'Pratt's' in orange

A pre-war Hornby O gauge private owner van 'Carr's'

Hornby O Gauge 'Carr's' Private Owner Van

A pre-war Hornby O gauge private owner van 'Carr's'

A pre-war Hornby O gauge private owner van 'Seccotine'

Hornby Seccotine Private Owner Van - Pre-War O Gauge

A pre-war Hornby O gauge private owner van 'Seccotine'

A set of 2 Post-War Hornby O gauge electric E502 0-4-0…

Post-War Hornby O Gauge Electric Locomotives and Tenders

A set of 2 Post-War Hornby O gauge electric E502 0-4-0 locomotives and tenders consisting of LMS #5600 and LNER #1842 circa 1948

A set of 5 Hornby 'OO' gauge locomotives, all brand new in…

Hornby OO Gauge Locomotive Set - 5 Brand New Boxes

A set of 5 Hornby 'OO' gauge locomotives, all brand new in boxes consisting of a R2037 A4 Woodcock locomotive limited edition Exclusive to Beatties, R2036 BR 4-6-2 Class A3 'St Frusquin' limited edition, R737 BR 4-6-0 locomotive 'King George V' King Class…

A Hornby Dublo 3 rail boxed 3226 4-6-2 LMR locomotive and…

Hornby Dublo LMR 'City of Liverpool' Loco & Tender

A Hornby Dublo 3 rail boxed 3226 4-6-2 LMR locomotive and tender 'City of Liverpool'

A Hornby Dublo 3 rail boxed 3235 4-6-2 SR West country…

Hornby Dublo 4-6-2 SR West Country Loco 'Dorchester'

A Hornby Dublo 3 rail boxed 3235 4-6-2 SR West country locomotive and tender 'Dorchester'

A French Hornby electric 4-4-2 SNCF locomotive and tender…

French Hornby 4-4-2 SNCF Locomotive & Tender "Etoile De Nord"

A French Hornby electric 4-4-2 SNCF locomotive and tender Etoile De Nord

A Hornby O gauge E120 special GWR 0-4-0 electric locomotive no.…

Hornby GWR Electric Loco with Tender

A Hornby O gauge E120 special GWR 0-4-0 electric locomotive no. 2301 and and 4 wheel tender

A Hornby Acho 638 boxed locomotive, 11 pieces of boxed rolling…

Hornby Acho locomotive and rolling stock collection

A Hornby Acho 638 boxed locomotive, 11 pieces of boxed rolling stock, 5 pieces of unboxed rolling stock and 7 unboxed coaches

A Hornby O gauge pre-war boxed Island platform E 'Reading'

Pre-war Hornby O Gauge Island Platform "Reading" in Box

A Hornby O gauge pre-war boxed Island platform E 'Reading'

A collection of 33 Hornby Dublo boxed coaches

Hornby Dublo Boxed Coach Collection - 33 Pieces

A collection of 33 Hornby Dublo boxed coaches