Five forgotten vintage toys you didn’t know Hornby made

When you hear the name “Hornby,” chances are you think of legendary model trains like the Flying Scotsman, the InterCity 125, or our sleek modern Azuma’s.

But beyond the tracks, Hornby has a fascinating and often forgotten history of distributing some of the most unique toy lines in the UK.

With offerings including dolls, teddy bears, Power Rangers and even Kissing Dragons, here are five rare Hornby toys that show we've not always been all about model railways.

1. WereBears – Hornby's teddy bears with a dark side

In 1983, Hornby turned the world of plush toys upside down—literally. Designed by British animator George Nicholas, WereBears were spooky, flip-faced teddy bears aimed at boys who wanted soft toys without the “girly” stigma.

Each bear started off friendly, but when you flipped their heads inside-out, they transformed into snarling beasts. The original four characters, Grizzler, Howler, Fang, and Gums, came in creepy clawed boxes with a narrated cassette tape by Oliver Postgate (of Bagpuss fame), telling their cursed backstories.

In 1986, Growler joined the gang—a larger, noisier bear with a badge that howled. That same year introduced the Terror Teds: Snapper, Chomp, Munch, and Grunt. These permanently monstrous bears served as villains in the story.

Set in a haunted Bavarian forest near the fictional town of München-Luncheon, the WereBears lore was surprisingly rich. Tapes told of a toymaker, Baron Baconburger, who accidentally cursed his creations, leading to a battle between WereBears and the witch Hazel.

A short comic series in 1990 expanded the universe further. Today, WereBears are cult collectibles—Growler and the Terror Teds fetch the highest prices, especially boxed with tapes. And yes, fans have preserved the original tapes online for a nostalgic fright night.

2. Gremlins Plush – cute Mogwai turned menacing monsters

Building on the success of WereBears, Hornby jumped on another shape-shifting trend in 1992. Gremlins plush toys were released to coincide with Gremlins 2: The New Batch.

Using the same reversible design, soft Mogwai toys could flip into their chaotic Gremlin counterparts. Hornby also released standard plushies of Gizmo, Mohawk, and Daffy, along with a clever version of Gizmo carrying baby Mogwai in a pouch on his back, mirroring the film’s scenes.

Though not especially rare today, these plush Gremlins are nostalgic favourites among '90s kids and collectors. They’re fun, freaky, and proof that Hornby knew how to ride a pop culture wave.

3. WCW Wrestlers – action figures, sounds, and slam-ready pillows

In the wrestling-obsessed 1990s, Hornby surprised fans again—this time distributing WCW Wrestling figures and toys. A far cry from model trains, but very on-trend for the time.

The line-up featured wrestling legends like Sting, Ric Flair, Lex Luger, and The Steiner Brothers in a variety of formats:

• Mini tag team figures sold in 12-packs
• A six-pack set with a built-in sound module that played grunts and groans
• Large 14” poseable figures with jointed limbs and removable championship belts.

But perhaps the oddest (and most fun) entry was the Wrestling Champs pillows, a range of durable, rough and tumble pillows featuring WCW champions. The catalogue boasted that you could “wrestle ‘em, slam ‘em and hug ‘em as much as you like; they can take it!"

While not as well-known as their WWE counterparts, these WCW toys are part of a growing vintage wrestling collectible scene. And those plush pillows? They're still being made for new generations today.

4. My PAL 2 – the robot buddy with a lot of tricks

Step aside Elon Musk and your Tesla Bot! In the 90s, Hornby was ahead of the curve with My PAL 2, a 15” talking buddy.

Packed with fun features, he could play games like Simon Says and Follow Me, and even throw and catch a ball. A ring on his back acted as a toss game—land it on his head and he’d cheer. Clip it to his chest, throw a ball through it, and he’d shout, “Good shot, man!”

He doubled as a night light and could act as a “guard dog,” barking if moved in the night. He even had a tickle button that made him giggle with delight.

There wasn’t a My Pal 1, but perhaps that version was lost in the robotic factory or went AWOL to meet up with Short Circuit or Wall-E.

With a slightly goofy smile and tons of personality, My PAL 2 was ahead of his time and remains a fun, nostalgic find for retro toy collectors.

My Pal 2 was a “real” friend, and if the Tesla Bot looked like this guy, we’d get one.

5. Cassy Doll – Hornby’s answer to Barbie

While Barbie ruled the globe, Hornby had its own UK fashion doll icon in the early ‘90s: Cassy.

Standing at just 7.5 inches tall, Cassy had interchangeable expressions, from cheerful grins to thoughtful pouts, and was fully poseable. She could sit, stand, ride a pony, or strike a ballet pose thanks to articulated joints at her hips, waist, knees, shoulders, and neck.

Her biggest innovation? Packaging. Cassy arrived in clear plastic cassette cases that could snap together into custom playsets. The more dolls you bought, the bigger your Cassy “home” could grow—a smart marketing move that encouraged collecting.

Beyond the base doll, you could buy deluxe sets like ballet studios, discos, riding schools, and Cassy’s Country Home, each packed with themed outfits and accessories. Cassy even had horses and foals, making her quite the equestrian.

Though she’s often forgotten today, Cassy’s stylish outfits, petite size, and unique display cases make her a favourite among vintage doll collectors.

Hornby: more than just model trains

From scary teddy bears to robotic buddies, Hornby’s is full of surprises. While the company is rightly known for its iconic model trains, these quirky, imaginative toy lines show another side of its history—one filled with creativity, pop culture tie-ins, and bold ideas that were often ahead of their time.

Whether you were flipping WereBears, tossing hoops with My PAL 2, or building a cassette mansion for Cassy, Hornby offered more than just tracks and trains—it gave kids across generations something wildly different to play with.

And we bet you wish we’d bring some of these back.

Did you have any of these as a child? Or do you have one in your vintage toy collection today? Let us know in the comments below.