Hornby O Gauge Esports

[Cabooster]

I'm interested in O guage English trains that are electric, rather than the clockwork variety. I understand that right after the war, Hornby made some electric sets which were for export only, presumably to Canada mostly. I'm wondering if anyone knows anything about these sets, what name they go by, which engines were represented, and how available they are, generally. Any information or collection pointers would be welcome! Thanks!

[Penny Trains]

There was Hornby Meccanno which was the original manufacturer.  Then there was Hornby Hatchette when the trains were made in France.  You're right that most of Hornby's westbound production ended up in Canada rather than the US.

I have only one Hornby loco and it's post-war clockwork.  It came with a tender, gondola and a box car.  I also have 4 pre-war coaches, 3 Aurelia's and 1 Marjorie and I was lucky to get those.  The best way I've found for learning about what's available is to search the UK arm of Ebay.

That's about all I know, but based on the prices I see they must be good runners.

Basset Lowke (pronounced lock) is another great one.

Becky

[M636C]

OK, I'm no expert on these trains but I did have a number of Hornby O Gauge clockwork trains as a child, being an Australian.

Post WWII (as I am) Hornby produced a greatly reduced range of models in O gauge compared to 1939, and concentrated on the smaller "Hornby Dublo" OO gauge (on HO track) range.

If I recall correctly there were three series of clockwork models post war:

MO, which were the smallest and simplest, non reversing models with small radius track (the curves were quoted by radius and not diameter as is common in the USA) These might have been 12" radius. The cars had simple couplers with a hook on one end and a loop on the other.

M1, which were larger and had hook and link couplers compatible with the larger models but still ran on small radius track.

No. 1, which were full size (at least in profile) and ran on 24" radius track. The locomotives had correct coupling and connecting rods (but no valve gear). The couplings allowed automatic coupling. Two locomotives were available, both 0-4-0 type, one a tender locomotive and one a tank locomotive.

These were a continuation of pre war models but represented the "lower end" of the pre 1939 range.

Until about 1955, these were sold in the colours of the "big four" British railways, although the prototype railways had been nationalised in 1948. These were "London and North Eastern", "Great Western" and "Southern" (all of whom used shades of green for locomotives) and "London Midland and Scottish" (who had dark crimson locomotives). The passenger and "goods" (freight) vehicles were in the distinctive colours as well.

Electric models were only made in the "No. 1" series and I think some were available in Australia in the 1950s (but I was born in 1948, so I might be wrong). Definitely, two of my neighbours had Hornby three rail electric O gauge layouts, although these might have been from pre 1939 production.

The track looked very like Lionel with the same form of connections.

If electric models were made post WWII, they were only made in the "big four" colours.

In 1955, models were released in the nationalised "British Railways" colours.

MO became 20 series

M1 became 30 series

No.1 became 50 series

No electric models were made in the new colours.

If you have any specific queries, I'll try to answer them.

M636C

[M636C]

I have found an excellent quick reference to Hornby O Guage locomotives at least.

http://www.dutchhrca.nl/priceguide.htm

This is run by the Dutch Hornby Railway Collector's Association. It only shows one example of each type but indicates which models were made in electric drive as well as clockwork. I think the "No. 1" series would be the most common electric models. Indicative prices are given in English Pounds.

M636C