Did You Know?
Smallest Model Railway Layout
The smallest model railway layout in the world is believed to be the 'Sceniced and Ridiculously Small Railroad' it measures half an inch wide and features a single train running round an oval layout.
Largest Model Railway Layout
The largest model railway layout in the world is 'Minatur Wunderland' in Hanover Germany, built to HO scale it features 11,000 meters of track, over 900 trains and takes up 1,500 m² of floorspace
Longest Model Train
Unsurprising Minatur Wunderland also holds the world record for the longest model train (HO scale) measuring 110.3m (361 ft 10 in) and comprising of three locomotives pulling 887 carriages.
First Hornby Trains
The first Hornby trains were produced in 1920, they were clockwork and had a scale of O.
Made In China
In 1995 the manufacture of all Hornby train sets and accesories was moved to China.
Most Expensive Train Set
In October 2007 a 'Folkestone Flyer' electric passenger train set sold at auction for £6,600, the set was part of a collection amassed by Dr Clifford Patrick, a retired vet who died in 2003.
Thomas The Tank Engine Models
The models used in the popular childerens televison programme 'Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends' are built to 1:32 scale (O scale).
Hornby Bought Corgi
Hornby recently (early May 2008) bought die-cast model car maker Corgi for a reported £7.5m, read more here.