Hornby Dublo 3 Rail Layout

Back in 1938, Meccano created a new model range, Hornby Dublo, not to be confused with OO as we know it today. The system used tinplate sections of three rail track, with the locomotives picking up current from a center pickup, and the circuit returning via the outside rails. Many people from the 1950s and 60s will be familiar with the sound of tinplate wagons clattering around layouts across the land.

The Oxford and District Model Railway Club was gifted an extensive collection of Hornby Dublo 3-rail. As a homage to these Meccano-era models, we have made a traditional layout, keeping with the style of layouts of that period.

To be true to the layouts of the time, the scenery is kept to the bare minimum, and are all Hornby Dublo products. The board is painted in the traditional Light Green colour, although of course, the board sides are the usual Oxford & District MRC familiar fern green!

We have just about enough space for a double track, with a fan of sidings in the middle which can be operated separately.

We also have the usual station building, made out of sturdy aluminium and still in its original beige colours.

We also are putting the mail train back into use, and look forward to this fantastic feature flinging mail bags into the catch pit.

The locomotives that came with the collection have all been serviced, and are ready to bring the layout to life.

To find out more about the layouts that the Oxford and District MRC are working on, please click here