Hattons Model Railways

Lore & Background

Norman Hatton opened his first shop at 142 Smithdown Road in Liverpool in 1946, selling hard-to-find items such as bric-à-brac, fireworks, and gas masks. He soon discovered that model locomotives and toys were his best-selling items, and by the 1950s the business had become a dedicated model shop. In 1958 he moved to larger premises at 180 Smithdown Road, and around that time purchased a large quantity of Meccano stock at a fraction of its value, some of which took 20 years to sell. The company grew through mail order in the 1960s–1980s, launched its first website in 1999, and moved to 364–368 Smithdown Road in 2001. The eHattons website allowing direct online orders launched in 2002. After Norman Hatton's death in 2005 and his son Keith's death in 2008, Christine Hatton took over with managing director Richard Davies. The company moved its stock to a warehouse in Widnes in the early 2010s, and in January 2016 closed the Smithdown Road store, relocating all operations to Widnes. Hattons announced its closure on 8 January 2024 and permanently shut on 4 February 2024. In April 2024 the Hattons brand was bought by Rails of Sheffield, with plans to relaunch online.

Reader's Guide

Hattons Model Railways was notable for its long history as a family-run business that evolved from a small Liverpool shop into a major national and international retailer. Its early adoption of mail order and later e-commerce allowed it to serve a global customer base, and by 2022 it was turning over £11 million. The company also became a manufacturer in its own right from 2018, producing locomotives and rolling stock under the Hattons Originals label, including the P Class and Andrew Barclay locomotives, Warwell wagons, and Class 66 locomotives. Its pre-owned model railway venture, launched in 2013, proved popular and led to the Hattons Model Money sub-brand. The closure in 2024 was attributed to increased compliance costs after Brexit, changes in customer demographics, and supply chain disruptions. The subsequent sale of the brand and toolings to Rails of Sheffield and Accurascale ensured that some of Hattons' legacy continued in the model railway industry.

Did You Know?

• Norman Hatton initially sold gas masks and fireworks before focusing on model railways.
• The company purchased a huge quantity of Meccano stock at a fraction of its value; some items took 20 years to sell.
• Hattons' first website, launched in 1999, was a directory of items for sale, not an online ordering system.