Happy 150th Birthday to Frank Hornby

**nomadd** · 15 May 2013, 08:56

Originally posted by zeitghost View Post

O, OO, HO, and N.

Chuff chuff chuff.

Is this what you old folks did before games consoles?

**Mich the Tester** · 15 May 2013, 09:01

Some of the designs in that model, like the station building, the kiosk and the buses are really rather cool. Is it based on a real station? Has that station since been demolished in favour of some cheapo naffo pre-fab lump of dullness?

**zeitghost** · 15 May 2013, 09:02

Originally posted by nomadd View Post

Is this what you old folks did before games consoles?

Yup.

That and Meccano.

Originally posted by Mich the Tester View Post

Some of the designs in that model, like the station building, the kiosk and the buses are really rather cool. Is it based on a real station? Has that station since been demolished in favour of some cheapo naffo pre-fab lump of dullness?

Doubt it very much.

Lots of it is tinplate by the way.

And it's the 3 rail version, with the power connected to the middle rail.

This gives one pause for thought:

Meccano production continued during the First World War and Hornby took the opportunity to introduce toy trains in 1920.

Hornby Trains were powered by a high quality clockwork motor, made of metal pressings held together by Meccano nuts and bolts, and ‘0’ gauge in size.

Hornby Trains were an instant success and the company was quick to introduce more engines and accessories.

In 1925 the first Hornby electric train was produced, operating from a mains supply of 100-250 volts.

By 1929, Hornby had evolved a much safer system and electric models worked from a six volt DC source.

I wonder how many people the mains operated layout managed to fry.

**stek** · 15 May 2013, 09:09

Happy 150th Birthday to Frank Hornby

Here's my Bachmann K27 Mikado with iPod for scale!!

Corrr!

**Mich the Tester** · 15 May 2013, 09:35

Originally posted by stek View Post

Here's my Bachmann K27 Mikado with iPod for scale!!

Corrr!

Does it have a real working steam engine that goes chuff-chuff puff-puff psssst woo-woo!

**stek** · 15 May 2013, 09:38

Happy 150th Birthday to Frank Hornby

Originally posted by Mich the Tester View Post

Does it have a real working steam engine that goes chuff-chuff puff-puff psssst woo-woo!

It has a smoke generator yes! Also has mountings for sound effects and radio control in the tender.

It's not real steam tho!

**wurzel** · 15 May 2013, 09:42

Originally posted by nomadd View Post

Is this what you old folks did before games consoles?

Yep. Had mine on an 8x4 bit of chipboard in the loft which had a big hole cut out in the middle where I would stand for hours on end.

**DimPrawn** · 15 May 2013, 09:45

Prefer Bruce Hornsby

Happy 150th Birthday to Frank Hornby