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This web site describes the models made by the Italian model railway manufacturer Lima in HO or 1:87 scale for the British market. These models were made during the years 1973 to 1976, and include both British outline models, and Continental outline models in British liveries.

HO versus OO

Both HO and OO models run on the same track, which is 16.5mm wide. HO models are 1:87 scale, and OO are 1:76 scale. The track as made by manufacturers like Peco and Hornby is correct for HO and works out to 4' 8½" at 1:87. If OO trains 1:76 scale is used, the track width is very narrow at 4' 1½".

This confusing situation came about because early British manufactures decided they could not build motors to fit in HO (Half O) scale, so they invented OO, but they still used HO track.

Lima the Company

Lima were formed in 1946, in Vicenza, Italy. They manufactured model trains in O, HO, OO, and N up until 2003, when they went into liquidation. The Lima European HO range is now produced by Hornby. During the early HO period Lima were distributed by the Wrenn company.

Lima British HO

When Lima first entered the British market in 1973, they bravely chose to manufacture in the correct ratio of 1:87, the same as their continental models. When the Lima models were compared to the contemporary Hornby models, they appeared small by comparison. This, and the conservatism of British modellers forced Lima to change to 1:76 scale in 1976. Some of the later Lima models had British markings, but had continental loop couplings, these were generally on sale in Italy, and not Britain, see the "Odds" page.

The Range

Although only on sale for 4 or 5 years, there was quite a large range of models. It can be broadly broken down into British Outline models, and Continental models re-liveried with British markings. Most of the latter are not really very accurate, this especially applies to some of the coaches found in some of the sets.

Packaging

Lima boxes during the start of the HO period were green, but this was changed to orange and brown during 1974 - 75. Sometime after 1977 the boxes again changed to blue and orange.