Hornby Railway Collectors' Association (HRCA) 55th anniversary event - Newark

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

The Hornby Railway Collectors' Association (HRCA) was formed in 1969 and in 2024, celebrates its 55th Anniversary. It will be hosting a special exhibition which will be open to non-members on Sunday 7th April 2024. HRCA events are normally members only but an exception has been made for this event, which brings together the products from the former Meccano factory in Binns Road, Liverpool which 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. 

The 55th 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 Chairman Don Gatiss said “ it will have been five years since we have 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”.

Sunday admission charges will be £5 (accompanied children free) with opening times being from 1000 until 1600. 

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