With a new owner in place, the 1970s proved a successful period for Hornby, with a new brand name, new models and exciting innovations, as MARK CHIVERS discovers.
1972-1980
DUNBEE-COMBEX-MARX was a large toy group, employing around 6,000 people worldwide, with the recent acquisition of Rovex Ltd forming a large part of the business. Following the takeover, there was a need for the company to change the trading name of its model railway system, from the packaging to the branding on a locomotive’s chassis or piece of track. It wasn’t a dramatic alteration - more of a transition really, as the boxes remained red with yellow lettering, while the company logo still retained much of its previous form and the lettering now appeared as HORNBY Railways.
New era
Despite the resultant upheaval at the time, Rovex Ltd remained profitable and was able to continue investing in its new model tooling. Hornby Railways’ first new ‘OO’ gauge locomotive during this time was the Stanier ‘Black Five’ 4-6-0 which appeared in 1973 with a choice of names as 45156 Ayrshire Yeomanry and 45158 Glasgow Yeomanry. It featured Silver Seal branding on the packaging, together…
