Miniatur Wunderland: Visit the World’s Largest Model Railway in Hamburg
Fotograf: Frank Zarges
It goes without saying, but we love trains. Fast and slow, big and small. At Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg, you can see the globe’s biggest display of tiny trains in magnificent, diminutive form.
Since opening in 2001, Miniatur Wunderland has been steadily growing, with over 500,000 working hours and nearly 9 million Euros spent to make this tiny replica of towns and landscapes a monumental reality.
A Man and a Dream
Frederik Braun was a dreamer and a lover of model trains. His twin brother Gerrit was both perfect business partner but also his deepest adversary. One brother, optimistic by nature, the other emotional and short tempered. Together, they made magic – beginning with Frederik’s dream to own the world’s largest collection of Mickey Mouse comic books. Upon selling their vast compilation, they bought a successful nightclub, to Gerrit’s approval. But Frederik wasn’t satisfied with being a nightlife impresario in his old age, and that’s when he decided it was time to fulfill his lifelong passion for railroads. And lucky for the world, his brother bought in.
Visiting The Wunderland
Not only can you view this incredible display of workmanship, you can also head behind the scenes to see master modelers and technicians honing their craft. Wunderland is almost too difficult to describe in words.
By 2020, this model railroad will feature 1900 signals, 4000 switches, 6000 buildings and bridges, and over 500,000 lights. For now, you will have to contend with the seven sections currently on display.
The Harz
Fotograf: Frank Zarges
The Harz is one of the oldest landscapes in Miniatur Wunderland. It was built together with Austria and Knuffingen during the first construction phase and has become an important milestone in the renaissance of modeling. This section is also home to the ICE high-speed route and more than 130 trains.
Knuffinger
Fotograf: Frank Zarges
Knuffingen is the oldest part of the model. This city of 10,000 inhabitants, idyllically situated between the Harz and the Alps, is one of the largest cities in Miniatur Wunderland. Knuffingen is known for its innovations and has a worldwide reputation for its automobile industry.
The Alps
Fotograf: Frank Zarges
The Alps in Austria are by far not as high as the Alps in Switzerland, but no less impressive. With countless tons of plaster, modelers formed peaks with a chisel. Wanting to illustrate authentic mountain life, typical attributes have been integrated. In the Wunderland Alps, all four seasons are mixed up. Besides skiers and figure skaters, there are also climbers and hikers exploring the fantastic green mountain pastures and rocky slopes
Hamburg, Germany
Fotograf: Frank Zarges
Hamburg is the hometown of Miniatur Wunderland and the largest as well as the most densely populated city of the entire Wunderland, with nearly 250 inhabitants per square meter.
About a quarter of the 50,000 inhabitants gather in the HSH Nordbank Arena to watch the local team of HSV beat the city rival St. Pauli by a pinch.
The city of Hamburg has been created on 200 square meters, including all of the city’s most famous details. More than 1,500 trains, with Wunderland’s people from Scandinavia, Knuffingen or Switzerland arrive at Hamburg Mainstation daily.
America
Fotograf: Frank Zarges
American section was opened in 2003, with Las Vegas as its most luminous spot. More than 1/10 of all its 300,000 lights are installed in this small Sin City. There are also more natural landscapes to take in, like the Florida Keys and Yosemite National Park, the Grand Canyon and Mount Rushmore.
Scandinavia
Fotograf: Frank Zarges
The layout part of Miniatur Wunderland is Scandinavia, and technically the most challenging to execute. The northern Baltic Sea is filled with 33,000 liters of running water, with 25 ships crossing the ocean. Currently, the ships are manually navigated, but engineers are working on developing an autopilot system. There is also a simulation of high and low tide every 30 minutes, and is considered a groundbreaking achievement in modeling.
Behind every corner there’s a new surprise and perspective at the Miniatur Wunderland. Sweet stories, incredible panoramas and even high-speed trains whizzing by. It’s just a tiny example of one man’s big dream.
And I have to pass along the H/T to my brother who sent it to me. He loves to go out west to ride on the narrow gauge steam in Colorado.
ReplyDeleteWhen I sent this to Chickenmom I told her she was going to need a bigger basement. :)
Wouldn't that be fun to have!!! :o) Tell your brother that I posted it!
DeleteAbsolutely astounding! And what fun! Thanks for posting this. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteWhy do us grownups get a bigger kick out of toys than kids do? :o)
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