About

Hornby

Hornby, founded in 1901 by Frank Hornby in Liverpool, is the quintessential titan of the British model railway industry. For over a century, the brand has defined the "British Outline" market, primarily through its dominance in OO gauge (1:76). While it remains a heritage brand at its core, Hornby is currently in the midst of a significant technological and strategic pivot. By 2026, the company has fully embraced a two-tier approach: the RailRoad range offers robust, affordable models for beginners and younger hobbyists, while the premium Hornby Dublo and main range releases feature museum-quality detailing, die-cast metal components, and innovative "Steam Generator" technology that mimics the rhythmic exhaust of a real steam engine.

Technically, Hornby’s modern era is defined by the aggressive expansion of its TT:120 (1:120) scale and the HM7000 Bluetooth DCC system. The TT:120 range was launched to provide a "Goldilocks" solution—smaller than OO but more detailed than N—allowing enthusiasts to build complex layouts in limited domestic spaces. Their HM7000 system has revolutionized control by allowing users to operate locomotives directly from a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth, bypassing the need for traditional expensive command stations. With these innovations, Hornby continues to bridge the gap between the nostalgic "train set" experience and the sophisticated requirements of the modern digital modeler.
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Hornby attended the following events:
The London Festival of Railway Modelling | London, GB Mar 21 - 22, 2026
INTERMODELLBAU | Dortmund, DE Apr 10 - 13, 2025

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Hornby - Latest announced miniatures:

Hornby - Now available miniatures:

GWR - Steam locomotive Castle Class

Recommended retail price: 227,65 €

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Hornby - Latest catalogs:

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Hornby - Recently featured in the following videos:

Hornby - Latest official shorts / reels:

A CLASS 67!!!! 💀😂🤣

13/08/2026

Describe this Locomotive in one word!

12/08/2026

A first look at the TT:120 Class 66 Sample!

10/08/2026

Is this loco on your wishlist??

08/08/2026

Planet Steam Locomotive | Model Reveal & History

06/08/2026

HORNBY | Royal Scot!

04/08/2026

Robert Stevenson's Planet Locomotive | A Must-See!

02/08/2026

Hornby TT:120 Coalfield Freight Unboxing

31/07/2026

Hornby TT:120 Black 5 FIRST LOOK

29/07/2026

The latest edition to my Hornby Layout...

27/07/2026

What's the best Castle Class locomotive?

25/07/2026

The best Hornby Steam Generator Loco yet??

23/07/2026

Fastest Steam Locomotive EVER Mallard's 126 MPH Record!

21/07/2026

Pub on Wheels | British Rail's Unique Catering Coaches!

19/07/2026

What's your favourite era to model?

17/07/2026

What's the next model on your wishlist?

15/07/2026

Which locomotive gets the most running time on your layout?

13/07/2026

How often do you service your locomotives?

11/07/2026

What's the rarest item in your collection?

09/07/2026

🚨 This Hornby Train Has a REAL Police Siren!

08/07/2026

This 25 YEAR old Harry Potter Hogwarts Express train set still runs PERFECTLY!

07/07/2026

Which locomotive class deserves more recognition?

05/07/2026

What's the LOUDEST locomotive you've ever seen?

03/07/2026

Which preserved railway should everyone visit?

01/07/2026

Which railway station means the most to you?

29/06/2026

Do you remember your first trip on a steam train?

27/06/2026

What's your earliest railway memory?

25/06/2026

Which locomotive got you into model railways?

23/06/2026

Mallard's 1938 Steam Loco World Record Run!

21/06/2026

The latest prototype from Hornby | Planet Locomotive first look

17/06/2026

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Hornby - Recently featured in the following photos:

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