Hornby Dublo (OO Gauge)

Possibly the most popular gauge for collectors, this gauge offers a wide variety of locomotives, rolling stock and accessories. Manufactured by Hornby during the years 1938 to 1964 it provided a small railway system to fit into the smaller houses that had become popular at that time. It allowed the public to build layouts with detail and excellent track arrangements in small spaces and also maintain strong working engines that could pull good length trains.

The locomotives were a little larger than the TTR Trix Twin railway locos so that they would accommodate the larger, more efficient Hornby electric motor. This increase in size caused the model to be outside the 'half O' gauge and so 'Dublo' (OO) was born!

The range of locomotives starts with the 1938 0-6-2 Catalogue No:DL7 in S.R.,L.M.S.,L.N.E.R. and G.W.R. livery and the 'Sir Nigel Gresley' catalogue No: DL1 - the tender being No: D1. When purchased as a set these items were catalogued as No: DLT 1. These locomotives were Clockwork.

At the same time the very same locomotives were made available fitted with electric motors and were numberes EDL** etc. The 'Dutchess of Athol' was included in the electric driven range. Passenger and goods sets were also available. To add to the layout various vehicles were made available, personnel and wagon loads. Wagons and coaches could be purchased seperately. Controllers, both battery and electric operated were expensive for the period.

During the post war period two rail locomotives were in production. Gradually as time past many more locomotives and rolling stck were added to the list.

The Dublo system is a worthwhile collectable, prices vary according to condition, but a 0-6-2 tank engine can be procured for as little as £25.00 and rolling stock from £3.00 or so. Track is cheap and transformers and controllers do not need to be original.

We carry a large stock of Dublo track of various qualities - from boxed to second hand well used. All guaranteed. Points, cross overs, un-couplers, crossings, isolating rails and power terminal rails.

We also carry stocks of Dublo stations and level crossings.

Trix Twin (TTR) (HO gauge)

Trix Twin (TTR) railways were manufactured in HO scale. The unique feature with this railway system was the possibility of running two trains independantly on the same track. The centre rail being common and the outer rails having independant variable electrical feeds.

The initial manufacture was track laid on a Bakalite base, very similar to the Triang plastic grey base but in black. This was rather heavy looking and like triang, trix resorted to a much neater design laying the track on a fibre base and reducing the centre rail to as fine a detail as possible. This track is most acceptable on a layout.

We stock both types and will provide a stock list on request.

Trix twin track of the more moderb version with idividual sleepers and a fine centre rail.

The course early version of Trxi twin track with a black base and heavy centre rail.

Hornby Dublo did not produce a fine scale track - two rail took over from the three rail version so soon that it was not prudent to redesign the three rail type.