Collecting Hornby-Dublo

The definitive book is by Michael Foster and published by New Cavendish Books. Original catalogues are also a good source of information although they can be expensive.

There is a thriving market for Hornby-Dublo in the UK. Most buying and selling takes place at swapmeets and toyfairs, auctions, specialist shops and model railway exhibitions. Of course, collectors also buy, sell and swap amongst themselves.

Of all these forums for collecting, swapmeets are probably the most fun. The UK is blessed with an intensive network unrivalled anywhere in the world. There are on average 12 swapmeets to choose from every Sunday, with numerous mid-week events. Note that the term 'swapmeet' in the US applies to flea markets and boot sales; in the UK they are specifically for toys.

Collectors vary from mint boxed completists with every coupling variation, to operators who run their trains into the ground as nature intended. The rarest and therefore most expensive models are from the early (pre war) period and the late (1963-4) period when the company was going bust. If you are new to collectable model railways you may be bewildered by the range available. This stage of the hobby is fun but later you will probably want to specialize on a brand, time period or theme.

The Hornby Railway Collectors Association (HRCA) caters for collectors of both 'O' gauge and Dublo trains. This worthy body organises events and publishes a magazine and spares directory. If you are deeply interested in box codes or need a lot of spares, membership is around 15 pounds sterling per year. Contact Bob Field, 2 Ravensmore Road, Sherwood, Nottingham, NG5 2AH, UK

There is more useful HRCA information on Bill Foote's Hornby Page

Apart from the UK there are HRCA organisations in Australia, New Zealand and Holland. Also check out the North American Hornby Society site for the US and Canadian view.

The award for the best and most entertaining site on the whole internet is Gerardo Crotti's strictly Dublo offering highly recommended.

Also check out this very professional Tri-ang site with a searchable database.

If you are interested in Wrenn, who continued to produce models with the Hornby-Dublo tools, visit Maurice Gunter's Wrenn page

Back to Front Page