Please see Buildings for Signal Cabins fitted with Transformers/Controllers
The first Hornby controllers were HV or High Voltage (1925-29), designed to use mains power via a 60w bulb, providing up to 60 volts to the HV Metropolitan locomotive. Next were transformers by Ferranti (1927-33), providing up to 10 volts and used to power 6v Hornby locomotives via a Resistance Controller. 4v Resistance Controllers were used with Accumulators (1926-35), to power 4v locomotives. Hornby then began manufacturing controllers 'in house', these being the well known T6 and T20 series, 1931-41, and post war.
Meccano Seco Accumulator, 4 volts, 8 amps, 1926-29 |
Hornby Series HV Rheostat, earlier, black case with exposed contacts, 1925-26 |
Hornby Series HV Rheostat, earlier, black case with exposed contacts, 1925-26 |
Hornby Series HV Rheostat, earlier, black case with exposed contacts, 1925-26 |
Hornby Series HV Rheostat, later, red case with covered contacts, 1927-29 |
Hornby Series HV Rheostat, later, red case with covered contacts, 1927-29 |
Hornby Series HV Rheostat, later, red case with covered contacts, 1927-29 |
Hornby Series HV Rheostat, later, red case with covered contacts, 1927-29 |
Hornby Series HV Rheostat, later, red case with covered contacts, 1927-29, illustating bulb in situ |
Ferranti Transformer, output 10v 2.5amp, for Meccano and Hornby 6v motors, 1929-30 |
Ferranti Transformer, output 10v 2.5amp, for Meccano and Hornby 6v motors, 1930-33 |
Ferranti Transformer, output 10v 2.5amp, for Meccano and Hornby 6v motors, 1930-33 |
Ferranti Transformer, output 10v 2.5amp, for Meccano and Hornby 6v motors, 1930-33 |
Ferranti Transformer, output 10v 2.5amp, for Meccano and Hornby 6v motors, 1930-33 |
Hornby Series Resistance Controller, 6 volt, maroon case, gold lettering, 1929-33 |
Hornby Series Resistance Controller, 6 volt, red case, gold lettering, 1933-41 |
Hornby Series Resistance Controller, 6 volt, red case, gold lettering, 1933-41 |
Hornby Series Speed and Control reverse Switch, 6 volt, maroon case, gold lettering, 1929-33 |
Hornby Series Speed and Control reverse Switch, 6 volt, maroon case, gold lettering, 1929-33 |
Hornby Series Speed and Control reverse Switch, 6 volt, maroon case, gold lettering, 1929-33 |
Hornby Series Speed and Control reverse Switch, 6 volt, maroon case, gold lettering, 1929-33 |
Hornby Series Speed and Control reverse Switch, 6 volt, orange case, or badly faded red/maroon? |
Hornby Series Speed and Control reverse Switch, 6 volt, orange case, or badly faded red/maroon? |
Hornby Series Speed and Control reverse Switch, 6 volt, orange case, or badly faded red/maroon? |
Hornby Series Speed and Control reverse Switch, 6 volt, orange case, or badly faded red/maroon? |
Hornby Series Resistance Controller, 20 volt, blue case, gold lettering OFF FAST SLOW, lever on left, 1934-36 |
Hornby Series Resistance Controller, 20 volt, blue case, gold lettering OFF FAST SLOW, lever on left, 1934-36 |
Hornby Series Resistance Controller, 20 volt, blue case, gold lettering OFF FAST SLOW, lever on left, 1934-36 |
Hornby Series Resistance Controller, 20 volt, blue case, gold lettering OFF FAST SLOW, lever on right, 1936-41 |
The T20 series are probably the most seen and most popular of the Meccano Transformer/Controllers, for 20v locomotives. Approximate dating guide :
1932 introduced, dark blue case with brass scroll plate, deep blue infill
1933 case colour changed to lighter blue, rectangular brass plate, blue infill
1934 brass plate infill changed to green
1936 nameplate now aluminium, green
1937 cable changed from two core to three core. Separate earth (ground) terminal no longer fitted to rear of case. Box advises bayonet plug no longer fitted.
1937 nameplate aluminium, maroon
1937? rheostat knob changed from Erinoid (plastic) to nickel plated brass
1949 black transformer case until withdrawal, 1953
Meccano No T6 Transformer Controller for 6v Meccano Motors and Hornby Locomotives (green case), 1931-41 |
Meccano No T6 Transformer Controller for 6v Meccano Motors and Hornby Locomotives (green case), 1931-41 |
Meccano No T6 Transformer Controller for 6v Meccano Motors and Hornby Locomotives (green case), 1931-41 |
Meccano No T6A Transformer Controller 9v and 3.5v (green case), 1933-41 |
Meccano No T6A Transformer Controller 9v and 3.5v (green case), 1933-41 |
Meccano No T6A Transformer Controller 9v and 3.5v (green case), 1933-41 |
Meccano Type T26M Transformer, output 9 volts (green case), 1935-41 |
Meccano Type T26M Transformer, output 9 volts (green case), 1935-41 |
Meccano Type T6M Transformer, output 9 volts (red case), 1933-41 |
Meccano Type T6M Transformer, output 9 volts (red case), 1933-41 |
Meccano Type T26M Transformer, output 9 volts (red case), 1933-41 |
Meccano Type T26M Transformer, output 9 volts (red case), 1933-41 |
Meccano Type T20 Transformer Controller, output 20 volts (blue case), 1936-41 |
Meccano Type T20 Transformer Controller, output 20 volts (blue case), 1936-41 |
Meccano Type T20 Transformer Controller, output 20 volts (blue case), 1936-41 |
Meccano Type T20A Transformer Controller, output 20 volts, together with fixed voltage auxiliary sockets (early blue case with brass scroll plate), 1932-33 |
Meccano Type T20A Transformer Controller, output 20 volts, together with fixed voltage auxiliary sockets (early blue case with brass scroll plate), 1932-33 |
Meccano Type T20A Transformer Controller, output 20 volts, together with fixed voltage auxiliary sockets, box illustrates Erinoid bayonet plug, 1934-34 |
Meccano Type T20A Transformer Controller, output 20 volts, together with fixed voltage auxiliary sockets (blue case), 1936-41 |
Meccano Type T20A Transformer Controller, output 20 volts, together with fixed voltage auxiliary sockets (blue case), 1936-41 |
Meccano Type T20A Transformer Controller, output 20 volts, together with fixed voltage auxiliary sockets (blue case), 1936-41 |
Meccano Type T20A Transformer Controller, output 20 volts, together with fixed voltage auxiliary sockets (blue case), 1936-41 |
Meccano Type T20A Transformer Controller, output 20 volts, together with fixed voltage auxiliary sockets (blue case), 1936-41 |
Meccano Type T20A Transformer Controller, output 20 volts, together with fixed voltage auxiliary sockets (blue case), 1936-41 |
Meccano Type T20A Transformer Controller, output 20 volts, together with fixed voltage auxiliary sockets (blue case), 1936-41 |
Meccano Type T20A Transformer Controller, output 20 volts, together with fixed voltage auxiliary sockets (blue case), 1936-41 |
Meccano Type T20A Transformer Controller, output 20 volts, together with fixed voltage auxiliary sockets (blue case), 1936-41 |
Meccano Type T20M Transformer, output 20 volts, orange (faded red) case, 1933-41 |
Meccano Type T20M Transformer, output 20 volts, orange (faded red) case, 1933-41 |
Meccano Type T20M Transformer, output 20 volts, orange (faded red) case, 1933-41 |
Meccano Type T20M Transformer, output 20 volts, orange (faded red) case, 1933-41 |
Meccano Type T20M Transformer, output 20 volts, orange (faded red) case, 1933-41 |
Meccano Type T20M Transformer, output 20 volts, orange (faded red) case, 1933-41 |
Hornby Type T20M Transformer, output 20 volts, black case (1933-41?) |
Hornby Type T20M Transformer, output 20 volts, black case (1933-41?) |
Meccano Type T22M Transformer, input 225/250v, output 20 volts (blue case), 1935-41 |
Meccano Type T22M Transformer, input 225/250v, output 20 volts (blue case), 1935-41 |
Meccano Type T22M Transformer, input 225/250v, output 20 volts (blue case), 1935-41 |
Meccano Type T22M Transformer, input 110v, output 20 volts (blue case), circa 1937 |
Meccano Type M20 Transformer, output 20 volts for 20v Meccano Motors and Hornby Locomotives (black case) |
Circuit Breaker for 6 volt and 20 volt Hornby Electric Railways, 1936-38 |
Circuit Breaker for 6 volt and 20 volt Hornby Electric Railways, 1936-38 |
Circuit Breaker for 6 volt and 20 volt Hornby Electric Railways, 1936-38 |
Circuit Breaker for 6 volt and 20 volt Hornby Electric Railways, 1936-38 |
Hornby Distribution Box, to connect multiple illuminated accessories to one power source, 1932-36 |
Hornby Distribution Box, to connect multiple illuminated accessories to one power source, 1932-36 |
Hornby Distribution Box, to connect multiple illuminated accessories to one power source, 1932-36 |
Hornby Distribution Box, to connect multiple illuminated accessories to one power source, with instructions, 1932-36 |
Hornby Series Flexible Connecting Lead 36 inch length (available in lengths of 9, 18 and 36 inches), 1932-37 |
Hornby Series Flexible Connecting Lead 36 inch length (available in lengths of 9, 18 and 36 inches), 1932-37 |
Hornby Series Flexible Connecting Lead 36 inch length (available in lengths of 9, 18 and 36 inches), 1932-37 |
Hornby Series Flexible Connecting Lead 36 inch length (available in lengths of 9, 18 and 36 inches), 1932-37 |
Hornby Series Flexible Connecting Lead 36 inch length (available in lengths of 9, 18 and 36 inches), 1932-37 |
Hornby Series Flexible Connecting Lead 9 inch length (available in lengths of 9, 18 and 36 inches), 1932-37 |
Plugs for Hornby Series Flexible Connecting Leads |
Hornby No 32 SWG Lead Fuse Wire for 20 volt Hornby Trains, 1934-41 |
Hornby No 32 SWG Lead Fuse Wire for 20 volt Hornby Trains, 1934-41 |
Hornby No 24 SWG Lead Fuse Wire for 3.5 volt Lighting Circuit of Meccano Transformers, 1935-41 |
Erinoid bayonet plugs for Meccano and Hornby Transformers |
Erinoid bayonet plugs for Meccano and Hornby Transformers |
Erinoid bayonet plugs for Meccano and Hornby Transformers |
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