On 11/05/2018 09:36, Marland wrote:

Hornby originally used a much higher voltage.

http://www.brightontoymuseum.co.uk/i...,_110V_(Hornby)

"The first version of the Hornby Metropolitan loco had an additional
level of realism in that - just like the real thing - it seemed to offer
the possibility of accidentally electrocuting yourself if you touched
the rails. The "HV" ("High Voltage") model's motor ran off one hundred
and ten Volts AC current, which was obtained from the 240V mains power
by passing the power through a lightbulb before it passed through the
speed controller and reached the rails."

Can't see the lightbulb idea working very well. It certainly wouldn't
produce a regulated 110V supply.

Bill