What Hornby does

Hornby Hobbies Limited is a UK-based, London Stock Exchange-listed manufacturer and retailer of model railways and adjacent hobby products, headquartered at the historic Westwood Industrial Estate facility in Margate. Its core proposition is the Hornby brand's OO gauge model railway system, supplemented by a diversified portfolio of acquired brands including Airfix (plastic model kits), Corgi (die-cast collectibles), Humbrol (paints and weathering), Bassett-Lowke, and European marques Arnold, Electrotren, Lima, Jouef, Rivarossi, and Pocher. The Scalextric slot-racing brand was sold to Purbeck Capital Partners in February 2026 for £20 million, while the Corgi Model Club subscription collectables business was acquired in March 2024 for approximately £200,000.

The company's product offering spans budget entry-level sets (RailRoad range from £34.99) through to premium DCC-sound-fitted, steam-generator-equipped locomotives (£184.99-£389.99), supported by proprietary digital control platforms (HM7000 wireless DCC, HM6000 app-based analogue control, Railmaster software), accessories, scenery (SkaleScenics), and licensed lines built on partnerships with the National Railway Museum, Warner Bros. (Harry Potter Hogwarts Express), Apple Corps (The Beatles), EON (James Bond), and major automotive OEMs. Revenue is generated through unit-pricing hardware sales, a subscription club business (Hornby Collector Club, TT:120 Club, Corgi Model Club), licensing royalties, and an affiliate programme via Partnerize paying up to 5% commission.

Go-to-market is hybrid: direct e-commerce at uk.hornby.com, retail placement in Frasers Group's Game stores and concessions, specialist model shops globally across the UK, US, Spain, Italy, and France, and major online marketplaces. Customer segments include hobbyist enthusiasts, gift buyers and families, collector-club members, specialist model shops, and heritage railways/museums. Phoenix Asset Management is the controlling shareholder (since 2017), with Frasers Group holding an 8.9% stake acquired in February 2024; CEO Olly Raeburn leads the company, with 251-500 employees overall.

Name

Hornby

Legal name

Hornby Hobbies Limited

Website

https://uk.hornby.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1901

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Hornby Hobbies is a UK-listed manufacturer and retailer of model railways and hobby products, selling OO gauge locomotives, train sets, and accessories under brands including Hornby, Airfix, Corgi, Humbrol, and Bassett-Lowke to hobbyists, collectors, families, and specialist retailers across the UK, Europe, and the US.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Model Railways and Hobby Models

NAICS

Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers (45912), Toy and Hobby Goods and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (423920)

SIC

Games, Toys & Children's Vehicles (No Dolls & Bicycles) (3944)

akta.pro primary industry

Model Railroading Kits & Scenery (CRALAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hobby & Model Kits Distribution (RC, Scale Models, Miniatures) (CRAOAMAD), Miniatures & Figurines (Display/Collectible) (CRALAKAB), Model Paints, Finishes & Adhesives (CRALAKAH)

Keywords

• Model railways
• Die-cast collectibles
• Plastic model kits
• Slot car racing
• Hobby manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Sandwich

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Product Sales - Model Railways and Hobbies: Hornby generates revenue through the manufacture and sale of model railway products including locomotives, train sets, rolling stock, track, accessories, and hobby supplies. The company sells directly through its e-commerce platform and through retail partners.
2. Subscription Business - Corgi Model Club: Following the 2024 acquisition of The Corgi Model Club, Hornby operates a subscription-based collectables club business, adding approximately £2 million in revenue with a 15% operating margin.
3. Licensing Royalties: Hornby earns licensing revenue through partnerships with major brands and franchises including Harry Potter, The Beatles, James Bond, and various railway museums for officially licensed product designs.
4. Club Memberships and Collector Programs: Hornby operates collector clubs including the Hornby Collector Club and Hornby TT:120 Club offering exclusive products and benefits to members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Hornby designs, manufactures, and sells model railway products (OO gauge and TT:120 scale) including locomotives, rolling stock, track systems, control electronics, and accessories. The company also operates a portfolio of hobby brands spanning Airfix plastic model kits, Corgi die-cast collectibles, Humbrol paints, and international model railway brands (Arnold, Electrotren, Lima, Rivarossi, Jouef, Pocher, Bassett-Lowke). Products are sold through direct e-commerce, retail partnerships, specialist model shops, and a subscription-based collectables club.

Product overview

Hornby Hobbies operates as a diversified portfolio of iconic hobby and toy brands spanning model railways, slot racing, die-cast models, and plastic model kits. The core Hornby brand leads the UK OO Gauge model railway market with a comprehensive ecosystem including model railways (Hornby), a newer mid-scale option (TT:120), digital control systems (HM7000 wireless DCC, HM6000 app control), the RailRoad entry-level range, premium Hornby Dublo die-cast collectibles, and child-focused Playtrains. Supporting brands include Airfix (plastic kits), Corgi (die-cast vehicles), Scalextric (slot racing - divested 2026), Humbrol (paints), and international brands Arnold, Electrotren, Lima, Rivarossi, Jouef, Pocher, and Bassett-Lowke. The company also operates loyalty programs (Hobby Rewards) and collector clubs (Hornby Club, Hornby TT:120 Club), distributes licensed products (Harry Potter, The Beatles, James Bond, aviation, automotive marques), and offers payment options through Klarna and Frasers Plus.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hornby: Leading British model railway brand, OO Gauge model railways
• Airfix
• Corgi
• Scalextric
• Humbrol
• Hornby TT:120
• RailRoad
• Hornby Dublo
• Playtrains
• Hobby Rewards
• Hornby Club
• The WonderWorks

Products and services

• Hornby Model Railways The flagship British OO Gauge model railway system offering locomotives, train sets, rolling stock, track, and accessories for hobbyists from beginners to enthusiasts. Includes authentic British prototypes with realistic detailing and DCC compatibility.
• Hornby TT:120

Quantifiable outcome

• Hornby's Class 56 locomotives feature EM1 speakers with 21-pin DCC sound decoders for improved audio performance
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered significant, core and supporting.

• Purbeck Capital Partners / Scalextric MotorsportssignificantStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 February 2026Hornby sold its Scalextric brand to Purbeck Capital Partners for £20 million. The buyer, led by Mark Brown (former CEO of Sazerac), established Scalextric Motorsports as a holding company. Hornby will support the brand transition through existing infrastructure. Mark Brown will also advise Hornby on its strategic transformation.
• The Corgi Model Club (CMC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 March 2024Hornby acquired The Corgi Model Club from Blue 14 investment vehicle for approximately £200,000. The acquisition includes stock, trade, and IP rights. CMC's managing director joined Hornby as brand MD of Corgi. The acquisition adds approximately £2 million in revenue with a 15% operating margin and incorporates the collectables club in-house.
• Partnerize (Affiliate Network)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerHornby's affiliate program managed through Partnerize, enabling content creators, YouTubers, and hobby bloggers to earn commission by promoting Hornby products.
• KlarnasupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPayment partnership providing buy-now-pay-later options for Hornby customers at checkout.
• Frasers Group Financial Services (Frasers Plus)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCredit and payment services partnership providing financing options through Frasers Plus credit product, subject to financial circumstances.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Kato USA: Japanese manufacturer specializing in N gauge model railways with precision mechanisms. Comparable in scale (N gauge) and quality positioning to Hornby's premium TT:120 and OO products, with strong enthusiast following.
• Trix (Märklin): HO scale model railway brand owned by Märklin, targeting hobbyists seeking DC compatibility (versus Märklin's AC system). Comparable to Hornby's approach in serving mainstream enthusiasts with varied gauge/protocol options.
• Hasegawa: Japanese plastic model manufacturer known for high-quality aircraft, military, and automotive kits. Direct peer in plastic model kits segment with similar quality positioning and licensed IP collaboration strategies.
• Revell: German plastic model kit manufacturer covering aircraft, ships, vehicles. Direct peer in Hornby's Airfix brand category with overlapping product lines (military vehicles, aircraft kits) and similar enthusiast/distribution channels.
• Graham Farish: UK N gauge model railway brand owned by Bachmann. Directly competes with Hornby's N gauge offerings (and Arnold brand) in the smaller scale segment favored by space-constrained hobbyists.
• Märklin: German manufacturer of HO, H0, and Z gauge model railways and the inventor of the three-rail AC system. Direct competitor in European model railways with strong digital control systems (Märklin Digital) paralleling Hornby's HM7000 platform.
• Bachmann Trains: Leading competitor in OO gauge and N gauge model railways, particularly strong in North America. Directly competes with Hornby's core OO gauge product line and offers parallel digital control systems and licensed locomotive models.
• Tamiya: Japanese plastic model kit manufacturer spanning RC vehicles, military models, and educational construction kits. Comparable to Airfix in plastic model kits with strong international hobbyist distribution and premium pricing.
• Atlas Model Railroad: US-based manufacturer of HO and N scale model railroad products, track, and DCC systems. Direct competitor in the North American market where Hornby also operates via Hornby Hobbies USA.

Broad incumbents

• LEGO Group: Danish construction toy giant with broad licensed product lines (Star Wars, Harry Potter, etc.). Broad incumbent in construction/play toys that competes with Playtrains for children's hobby time and uses similar IP licensing strategies (notably shared Harry Potter license).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hornby
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/hornbyhobbiesltd
• Facebookfacebook.com/hornbyamerica
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hornby-hobbies-ltd
• Instagraminstagram.com/officialhornby
• TikToktiktok.com/@officialhornby

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors5 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A5 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hornby