1920 The arrival of Hornby Trains was first announced in the Meccano
Magazine for June-July 1920.
The first set contained a 0-4-0 engine, tender, one truck, a circle of rails
and two straights, complete in strong attractive cardboard box for 27/6.
The first trains were of the constructional type i.e. they were of nut and
bolt construction and the parts could be purchased separately as was
Meccano.
1921 saw improvements in the original train sets with larger mechanisms,
longer wheelbase and larger wheels, giving longer runs and better pulling
power.
The new sets were shown in the May-June 1921 Meccano magazine. The set was
called the No.1 Hornby Train set.
The No.2 Hornby Passenger Train set appeared in September 1921. The
locomotive was a 4-4-0 with tender.
Hundreds of items were introduced during the next 46 or so years, far too
numerous to mention in this short article.
However a few major changes are mentioned.
The full story is told in a magnificent full colour 440 page book of the
complete history of the Hornby ‘O' Gauge System by Cris and Julie Graebe.
1925 Hornby introduced electric trains. Prior to this of course, they were
all clockwork. The first electric train was a model of the Metropolitan
railway electric locomotive. Perhaps the powers that be thought that the
first Hornby electric locomotive
should at least be of an electric prototype.
This engine had become famous as an exhibit at the Wembley Exhibition in
England in 1921.
The first "Hornby Book of Trains" was published in 1925 priced three pence.
1926 The smallest and cheapest of the Hornby Trains was introduced in 1926
called the ‘M' Series. The locomotive was tin printed (litho) with a small
body and mechanism.
The key was fixed to the winding shaft so that small boys wouldn't loose it.
1927/31 saw the introduction of the large No.3 Pullman Train sets in
clockwork or electric.
No.2 special locomotives were available in 1929, these were much more true
to life than previous locomotives and the mechanisms were bigger and more
powerful than any of the other types and were fitted with large 20 spoked
driving wheels.
The price 22/6.1932 A change from 6 volt to 20 volt working was made in
1932 with the introduction of the T20 and T20A transformers. A whole new
series of electrical accessories were produced for the new voltage.
1936 Frank Hornby the inventor of Meccano and creator of Hornby Trains died
in November 1936 at the age of 72.
1937 The last of the important items were produced in 1937. The finest of
these was the 4-6-2 "Princess Elizabeth" locomotive. After years of replying
to letters from the public for a six coupled locomotive by saying that was
both technically and economically impossible to manufacture the "Princess
Elizabeth" was announced.
This was a beautiful product and came in a velvet lined presentation case.
The price was five pounds five shillings.
Another new item was a very nice Schools Class E420 "Eton" locomotive.
1939-43 Very few additions were made in 1938 and none in 1939.
The war years slowed everything from 1940 to 1943 at which time a total ban
was imposed on the manufacture of toys.
1946-56 It was not until 1946 that some Hornby Trains appeared again and by
1947 things were not much better. By 1956 sales were not going well at all.
After the war no large locomotives were manufactured and production was
aimed at the cheaper train sets in the clockwork range, production never
reached the standards of the glorious pre-war days again.
1963 Production of the world famous "Hornby Trains" was at an end.
