| Generations of model railroads enthusiasts have | | | | Even in today's market, Hornby Hobbies of Kent, UK |
| cherished owning Hornby model trains. Due to the fact | | | | manufacturers' a large variety of OO and N gauge |
| that Hornby trains have been around for over 80 | | | | models, including a complete line of OO gauge |
| years, they are still loved by both collectors and | | | | locomotives, rolling stock, and controllers. Enthusiasts |
| modern model railroad enthusiasts. As a matter of fact | | | | and collectors can complement their OO model trains |
| the OO scale of Hornby model railroads are still a very | | | | with the Skaledale line of buildings, autos, scenic |
| popular scale enjoyed in England. Hornby OO gauge | | | | accessories, and track accessories For those that |
| trains allow a person the benefits of being able to | | | | prefer the N scale model trains, Lyddle End produces |
| have a nice train arrangement and still be able to easily | | | | a line of Hornby buildings. |
| handle the trains and view them. Plus, the large variety | | | | There is also controversy lurking in the history of |
| of trains and accessories available in the OO scale | | | | Hornby and the OO scale model railroads. You can |
| allow them to meet the desires of a lot of model | | | | use the same gauge track for both the OO scale |
| railroad hobbyists. | | | | model trains and the HO scale model trains. However, |
| Hornby has a long history and is largely popular. Frank | | | | this 16.5 mm gauge track was only intended to be |
| Hornby founded Meccano Ltd., the forerunner to | | | | used for the HO scale of 1:87. The controversy lies in |
| today's "Hornby Hobbies" company; in 1908 to | | | | the fact that the OO scale model trains with a scale |
| manufacture model toys. In 1901 he was able to obtain | | | | of 1:76 are able to use the track scaled at 1:87. This |
| a patent for 'Improvements in Toy or Educational | | | | inconsistency makes some enthusiasts claim that the |
| Devices for Children and Young People.' The first set | | | | OO gauge railroads are intrinsically out of scale. No |
| of toys Meccano made was a educational Hornby set | | | | matter why these trains can be used on a different |
| designed for use in schools. In 1920, Meccano | | | | track, the joy enthusiasts get from working with the |
| introduced the first Hornby branded train. | | | | OO gauge trains overshadows the concern about any |
| Many people feel that Hornby model trains are | | | | inaccuracies in scale. |
| tantamount to their OO gauge trains, known as | | | | Even though they are the most popular for both |
| 'Hornby Dublo.' The OO gauge trains, with a scale of | | | | collectors and enthusiasts alike, Hornby model trains |
| 1:76.2 (4 mm equals 1 foot), is a wonderful collection of | | | | and the OO scale only make up a small portion of the |
| locomotives, carriages, and wagons which were | | | | model railroad world. Even though Hornby Dublo and |
| manufactured from 1938 until 1963. It took 12 vdc for | | | | Tri-Ang trains remain popular with collectors, Hornby |
| power and ran on a 3-rail track. This gauge continues | | | | products are evolving with the time to meet the needs |
| to be popular in England, while in the rest of the world | | | | of enthusiasts. On the market today, enthusiasts and |
| the HO gauge is the most popular Hornby Dublo. | | | | collectors can find a full line of OO and N gauge kits, |
| Hornby is also related to the well liked Tri-ang Hornby | | | | trains, and accessories. One popular item in this line of |
| line of model trains. Model railroad hobbyists and | | | | products is the Hornby Flying Scotsman. Even with |
| collectors alike still love both lines of Hornby model | | | | advancements, Hornby trains and their OO scale |
| railroads. | | | | remain popular to a lot of model train enthusiasts. |