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The Classic Train Set -
Hornby Dublo 1938 -1964 -
Page reviewed and updated 16 March 2009
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About the layout
(Current status = withdrawn from the exhibiton circuit and in store pending a decision on whether to rebuild/refurbish or dismantle)
The layout is a Hornby Dublo 3-rail system. The layout is designed to replicate dealer demonstration layouts in a quality manner. It is a solid table top system in the style of dealer demonstration layouts I remember seeing in toy shops during the late 1950s, early 1960s and shown in published photographs. Rolling stock operated/displayed covers approximately 90% of the post war Dublo range including many rare items. Buildings, vehicles and people on the layout are all genuine Dublo or Dinky items.
The automatic mail-bag equipment is fully operational, located where it can be operated and seen in action by visitors to the show. A highly popular feature for "children of all ages"!
In addition to the basic layout I have a three part display area comprising a covered stock table on which additional rolling stock and train sets are displayed and two display panels. The display panels cover catalogues and paraphernalia, copy Hornby Dublo advertisements and some notes on the history of Hornby and why a three rail system was chosen.
The basic layout can be viewed from the front only or a combination of the front and either side. With the layout and display areas the layout needs to be viewed as an L shape using the front and either side, or across an exhibiting bay between two gangways with viewing from front and rear. Preferred "L" option.
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Information for Exhibition Managers
Size & Required floor area. - The layout boards are a solid 6ft 6in by 5ft with operator space required all round. The minimum required floor area is therefore 12ft by 10ft or 9ft 6" at a pinch. With the display area an additional 2ft of depth and 1ft 6 in of length is required added to either the front, side or back dimension according to the way in which you require the units displayed. Recommended layout is 14ft by 11ft. For exhibition managers using metric sizes this equates to a floor area required of 3.66 metres by 3.05 metres without display area, with an additional 0.61 metres by 0.03 for the display area. Recommended size therefore 4.27 metres by 3.4 metres.
Lighting and integral rope barriers are supplied. If the rope barriers are not required in exhibitions providing barriered areas the minimum front access width of 21" is still required.
Transport = Own, large, trailer (NB Although not a horse box it is comparable in size to horse box/transit van etc). This trailer was bought to avoid any need for transit van hire as due to baseboard sizes, volume of stock etc., exhibit is too much to fit into a single estate car.
Cost to book = Contribution for use of personal trailer as set out below plus fuel for towing vehicle. (Family car) Only other claim would be lunches during the exhibition period. Use of trailer - £30.00 single day shows, £50.00 weekend and longer shows as otherwise van hire required. (Rates updated Autumn 2004)
Operators = Usually my self and my wife if overnight stay. Other exhibitions when family not available would usually be two male adults.
Preferred setting up arrangements etc. - Due to time spent erecting layout and adding the stock we prefer setting up the night before to setting up on the day. In any case where travel time exceeds 1.5 hours we would prefer to stay over rather than commute on a daily basis.
Please specify whether layout only or layout plus display is being booked.
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Suggested programme entry
The Classic Train Set - Hornby Dublo (1938 - 1964) 4mm
On 14th February 1964 Meccano Ltd died but the legend lives on.
"Hornby - Dublo" was one of the two classic British toy train systems made by the legendary Meccano Ltd. The layout shown here is deliberately arranged in the classic train set style as Hornby Dublo was intended as a table top system. Although not based on a specific dealer demonstration layout it is in the style of several I remember seeing as a child.
Features to note on the layout are the operating Mail Coach (TPO), which will be demonstrated on the hour and half hour, working turntable and working electric signals.
The three - rail Dublo range shown here was introduced shortly before the second world war as a companion to the larger O-gauge items. Two - rail items were brought in later to update the range in the light of trends in the hobby, but too late to prevent financial collapse of the company.
My own collection was started in 1955 (age 3) and some of my first models still survive. The bulk of what is shown here has however been bought more recently through the collectors market. The items of Hornby Dublo paraphenalia displayed are either original, or photo - copies of the originals, from within my collection.
Similar layouts can of course be built with modern products from Lima, Hornby et al.I hope my layout shows you what the hobby of railway modelling is all about - you can get as serious as you like about it, but above all ENJOY YOURSELF
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Series of 4 black and white's taken at a Wessex Model Railway Show. Probably at Wimborne in the mid-1990's.