Collector Notes
A History of Collecting Model Trains in Britain by Pat HammondThe collecting of toy trains did not really get under way in Britain until the late 1960s when operators of Hornby 0 gauge were looking for additional stock. One way in which the exchange of models was effected was through the organisation of meetings by groups of enthusiasts and this lead to the invention of a new word in the English language - the Swapmeet.
Out of this growth in interest, the Hornby Railway Collectors Association was formed in 1969 and following a period of sometimes heated argument through the pages of the Association’s magazine, membership was extended to Hornby Dublo collectors, some of whom had formed the Dublo Circle. The HRCA has steadily grown over the years and is by far the largest club of its kind in the UK. It has also spawned a number of satellite organisations abroad.
The mid 1970s saw a growing interest in collecting of other makes of toy trains and the formation, in 1975, of two more organisations. The first of these was the Tri-ang Hornby Collectors Club which survived for many years, chronicling the diversities of the range, before disbanding. The other new organisation was the Trix Twin Railway Collectors Association which has flourished and remains a well supported organisation producing its own spares and special models for members.
It was not until 1978 that collectors in Britain had an organisation that catered for ‘any make, any age, any gauge’. This is the byline of the Train Collectors Society which has stuck to its principles and not tried to set close restrictive limits to its member’s interest. The result is a very friendly society that does not take itself, or its hobby, too seriously.
Other specialised clubs followed with the Kitmaster Collectors Club in 1980, the Bassett-Lowke Society in 1991, the Graham Farish Circle in 1994, the Lima Collectors Society in 1995, the Wrenn Railways Collectors Club in 1998 and, finally, the Tri-ang Society, with its fairly broad interest in the products of the Lines Bros. Group, in 1999.
Recent years have seen a growing recognition, by the manufacturers, of the expanding market for new models made specially for collectors. As a result, Hornby, Lima, Bachmann, Dapol and Grafar are all embarked on a programme of producing collectors editions of their models. Some, like Bachmann, Lima and Hornby also have their own collectors clubs and Hornby has established collectors centres that exclusively receive some of their limited editions.
Ramsay's Catalogue
The story of some 44 brands of model railways made for the British market will be found in Ramsay's British Model Train Catalogue (5th Edition). I can supply signed copies at the cover price of £22.95 + a contribution towards postage od £2. Cheques made out to 'Pat Hammond' should be sent to me at PO Box 199, Scarborough YO11 3GT.