HRCA to celebrate 55th anniversary by opening its doors to non-members

The Hornby Railway Collectors Association (HRCA) was formed in 1969 and in 2024,
celebrates its 55 th Anniversary. They will be hosting a special exhibition at Newark which will be open to
non-members on Sunday 7 th April 2024.

HRCA events are normally members only but an exception has been made for this event.

The world-famous former Meccano factory in Binns Road, Liverpool, produced Hornby O
Gauge, Hornby Dublo, Dinky Toys and associated ranges including Meccano itself. Whilst
the name Hornby is still very much part of the current model railway scene, today’s models
are far removed from those that were built in the Liverpool factory up until 1964 when
production ceased.

Meccano products were well engineered ensuring their long-time survival. Hornby Trains and the later Hornby Dublo products were sold in most corners of the world and were sold not only by specialist model shops but in toy shops, newsagents, bike shops and even chemists!

The 55 th anniversary exhibition is being held at the Lady Eastwood Hall at Newark
Showground, Lincoln Road, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 2NY and will include some 22
operating layouts plus 12 displays and extensive trade support for those who wish to
expand their own collections or start their own model railway journey.

The HRCA has around 2,400 members who receive ten copies of the HRCA Journal each year
and have access to a wide range of supporting services.

For operators of this much-loved range, the HRCA which was formed in 1969 has ensured that the trains have kept running and have been gaining in popularity with regular appearances at model railway club
exhibitions throughout the world. HRCA members can join local groups which meet in halls
to provide running facilities for members to operate their trains at regular intervals.

HRCA President Nicholas Kitchen said “has been five years since we last assembled such a
large display of Hornby O gauge, Hornby Dublo OO trains, other Meccano brands including
Dinky Toys, Meccano and the Bayko building system.

“Members are attending from across the world and we are delighted to be able to provide non-members with the chance to come along and meet us, hopefully encouraging them to keep these trains operating for many years to come. It is over 100 years since Frank Hornby launched his first clockwork train set and we have come a long way since then. Such was the engineering prowess of the Meccano factory, that keeping these old models operating is not as difficult as people imagine, thanks to a comprehensive supply chain producing spare and replacement parts.

“Whilst the Binns Road factory is no longer in being, the trains manufactured there are still
clocking up the miles – long may they continue to do so”.

Sunday admission charges will be £5 (cash only with accompanied children free). The
exhibition will be open from 1000 until 1600.

Further information about the HRCA can be found on their website www.hrca.net