Hornby Railways

Hornby Hobbies Limited
Formerly
List
    • Hornby Dublo
      (1938–63)
    • Hornby Railways
      (1972–80)
    • Hornby Hobbies Limited
      (1980–2015)
Company type
LSE: HRN
IndustryScale model
Founded1901; 123 years ago (1901)
FounderFrank Hornby
FateAcquired by Tri-ang Railways in 1964, then other takeovers
HeadquartersMargate, Kent, England
Products
Brands
List
Revenue£37.8 million (2020)[2]
£200,000 (2020)[2]
-£2.8 million (2020)[2]
Number of employees
191 (2020)[2]
ParentPhoenix Asset Management
(2017–present)[3]
Websiteuk.hornby.com

Hornby Hobbies Limited is a British-owned scale model manufacturing company which has been focused on model railways. Its roots date back to 1901 in Liverpool, when founder Frank Hornby received a patent for his Meccano construction toy. The first clockwork train was produced in 1920. In 1938, Hornby launched its first OO gauge train. In 1964, Hornby and Meccano were bought by their competitor, Tri-ang Railways,[4] and sold when Tri-ang went into receivership. Hornby Railways became independent again in the 1980s, and became listed on the London Stock Exchange, but due to financial troubles reported in June 2017,[5][6] became majority owned by British turnaround specialist Phoenix Asset Management.[5][3]

Hornby Hobbies bought model paint manufacturer Humbrol and their scale model kit subsidiary Airfix in 2007. The die-cast model car brand Corgi was added in 2008.

Hornby's other brands include for model railways Bassett-Lowke, Jouef, Lima, Rivarossi and Electrotren, the large scale car model kit Pocher, and the scale car racing Scalextric.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference hearns was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c d "Annual Report and Accounts 2020" (PDF). UK: Hornby PLC. 16 June 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Hornby Plc Transaction". Phoenix Asset Management. UK. 17 July 2017. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  4. ^ Brown, Kenneth Douglas (January 1996). The British Toy Business: A History since 1700. Hambledon & London. pp. 183–184. ISBN 1-85285-136-8.
  5. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference BBC40371393 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Mulligan, D. "Hornby Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2017" (PDF). investis.com. Retrieved 20 February 2019.