Recommended Reading
Below are Books and Journals that either were inspired by Frank Hornby and his world-famous Liverpool Meccano Factory or which inspired him originally.
There are 2 books written by a Meccano factory apprentice, Roy Byrne.
‘Frank Hornby Notes and Pictures’, is written by Jim Gamble, who is a leading expert on Hornby and the Meccano Factory. Jim is a Trustee of the Frank Hornby Charitable Trust.
Jim Gamble’s book “Frank Hornby - Notes and Pictures” is a definitive book on Frank Hornby and his world-famous Meccano Factory
Anthony McReavy’s book “The Toy Story - The Life and Times of Inventor Frank Hornby”
Kennith D.Brown’s book “Factory of Dreams - A history of Meccano Ltd”
Jeffrey Roy Byrne’s book - “The Meccano Apprentice” - These 2 books are an insight into the life of an apprentice at the Meccano Factory
An in depth story about diecast toy vehicles and rivalry between the makers of Dinky Toys, Corgi and Matchbox.
A detailed study of pretty much every Dinky Toy ever made
Jeffrey Roy Byrne’s book - “The Meccano Apprentice 2: Growing up in a hurry” - This 2nd book includes the factory’s Signet Cycling Club.
A book which influenced Frank Hornby we understand.
Frank Hornby - The Boy Who Made $1,000,000 with a toy
A set of Hornby Companion books displayed in our Maghull Heritage Centre - The separately displayed Dinky Toys book (see photo above) being the latest edition acquired by our Heritage Centre