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DC Super Heroes Corgi cars, Hornby Harry Potter trains back on track in new licensing deal

By John Freeman on September 18, 2018

Hornby previously released a number fo Harry Potter-related train sets. Image: Model Railway Emporium via eBay

Model and collectables firm Hornby Hobbies has entered into a licensing agreement with Warner Bros Consumer Products that will see the company launch a series of model railways and slot car sets across numerous Warner and DC franchises, including Harry Potter and DC Super Heroes.

The product range will be developed under several of Hornby’s key brands such as Hornby Railways, Scalextric and Corgi.

The first products to be released under this partnership will be on display at next year’s London Toy Fair, in January.

Hornby, which has warehouse operations in Hersden, near Canterbury, introduced its first toy train in 1920, and its products include Thomas the Tank Engine range. It has previously made Harry Potter-themed train sets, as well as products based on the James Bond movie franchise and of course Corgi is well known for its film and TV-themed cars, including the Batmobile and much more.

Corgi’s Batmobile, a Man from U.N.C.L.E. car and James Bond Aston Martin DBG. Image: Vectis

“Having access to these perennially popular franchises will provide Hornby with the opportunity to apply our ability in developing and delivering a desirable range of products that will appeal to fans of the many Warner Bros characters and DC Super Heroes,” says Hornby Hobbies chief executive, Lyndon Davies.

Since the announcement of the deal, shares in Hornby have surged 27 per cent, while the partnership is likely to raise investor spirits as the company continues with its turnaround plans.

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John Freeman

John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.

He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.