Hornby: Book of Collectable Toys

Frank Hornby, British businessman and inventor born in 1863, is a name known across the globe for model trains and toys alike. This book, Hornby: Book of Collectable Toys, takes a deep dive into the history of the Hornby manufacturing company and its many subsidiaries.

This book isn’t just about model trains–it includes all of the brands Hornby owns–which is substantial: Airfix, Corgi, Hornby, Scalextric, Dinky Toys, Bassett-Lowke, Electrotren, Humbrol, Lima, Oxford Diecast, and more.

We begin with an introduction and timeline. The first chapter is a nostalgic look at the author’s baby boomer childhood. While I liked this chapter–including some of the interesting photographs–it had little to do with the book’s topic, outside of a smattering of historical information about the British economy.

The next three chapters deal with toys as a commodity, the subject of toy collecting, and a recap of the toy industry from post-World War II through the 1970s.

The “meat” of this book is contained in the next five chapters, which discuss Airfix, Corgi, Hornby, Scalextric, and other Hornby subsidiaries in detail. Photographs of products, advertisements, publications, and boxes are generously included throughout the book. I particularly liked the black-and-white factory photos on p. 97 and the Hornby fun facts from p. 103.

I appreciated the chapter on condition, values, displays, and storage. I suspect many Classic Toy Trains readers already know this information, but a general reader may not.

The author closes the book with the top 40 Hornby collectible toys, a bibliography, and an index.

Does this book discuss model trains? Yes, of course, but keep in mind that it includes all of Hornby’s toys, and model trains are a fraction of the offerings. Don’t buy the book expecting a majority of it to cover model trains.

Another note: this is a British publication, and the language reflects that. The book will be available in the United States in October 2025. I’m unsure if the language will be changed to American English.

As part of my daily job, I notice and correct style inconsistencies in text. I discovered a number of these while reading the book (COVID-19 versus Covid-19, for instance). Most likely, the majority of readers won’t notice these discrepancies, but it’s part of the way I read things.

Overall, this book was a delight to read. If you enjoy childhood playthings, history, or just want a nostalgic trip down memory lane, you’ll want to pick up a copy.