Looking for Frank’s Place

Frank Hornby, of Dinky Toys, Hornby Railways and Meccano fame, was born at 77 Copperas Hill, Liverpool on 15^th May 1863.

Copperas is an interesting word and in this case it denotes a place where Copper Sulphate was produced, Copperas being the old name for it. It was produced at a works owned by the Hughes family. No.77 along with a number of other properties on this road were demolished when Lime Street Station was enlarged. This is what the location looks like in 2025:-

In 1994 Liverpool City Council decided to mark this world famous toy maker’s birthplace by creating and installing a cast metal plaque in Lime Street Station. This is the very plaque:-

In 1999, when Lime Street Station was undergoing a huge refurbishment the plaque was removed and was seemingly lost forever. However, it turned up at an auction where a keen eyed Hornby enthusiast both recognises and buys it. The Chap concerned is a member of the Hornby Railway Collectors’ Assn (HRCA) and via this organisation the plaque is handed back to Network Rail.

In 2023 it is unveiled on an easel at Lime Street as this link to Network Rail’s website details:-

https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/return-of-the-plaque-missing-model-railway-inventor-tribute-reinstated

The plan, we understand, is that it will be placed on a wall within the station near to the statues of Bessie Braddock and Ken Dodd but, as Lime Street Station is a listed building, permission has to be gained. Here’s the area where we believe the plaque will be erected at some point:-

Pending such erection it’s in Lime Street Station’s ‘Mini-Museum’ which is a part of the Standard Class Waiting Room adjacent to the First Class Waiting Room. These facilities are not on the concourse but on the first floor above M&S, Costa etc. and it’s accessed via a set of stairs by the shops. Here’s a photo of the plaque's present surroundings in the Standard Class waiting room at Lime Street Station:- 

 

So that's the story of Frank's birthplace and where he's being remembered. To find out more about Frank Hornby, his world famous Meccano Factory and its products have a look at the website of Maghull's Frank Hornby Charitable Trust at:-

 https://www.frankhornby.co.uk/

or visit Maghull's Frank Hornby Heritage Centre in the Town he lived for much of his adult life. Maghull is 7 miles north of Liverpool and the Heritage Centre is within Meadows Leisure Centre with the same opening days and hours as Maghull Library.