Layout Tour: Minature Wonderland Hamburg (NSF56K)

atsf_arizona

New Member
Hi, all,

I was fortunate enough on my recent Europe business trip to visit the very
large HO model railroad at Minature Wonderland:

http://www.miniatur-wunderland.de/

This is the huge model railroad in a old historic warehouse district in
Hamburg, Germany, with four different themes (Europe, America,
Alps, Scandanavia); it was featured in the February 2004 Model Railroader.

I spent the day there, and took a series of 'you-are-there' layout tour
photos, which can be seen at:

http://community.webshots.com/user/Minature_Wonderland

This layout is incredible. The detailing, moving automobiles, figures, full
night time lighting are in many cases worthy of contest level modeling. (Minature
Wonderland is a modeler's layout, not a rough unattractive Northlandz kind of
layout).

It is also very interesting to see how the Europeans characterized the
United States model railroad scenes, i.e. their perception of us.

Below is a summary overview. I feel very fortunate to have visited, and
I hope you enjoy the photos and can share in the fun with me as well.

==============================

1. The Modelleisenbahn Wonderland in Hamburg, Germany

aa_Modelleisenbahn_Wonderland_in_Hamburg.JPG



2. Alpen layout at Minature Wonderland - panorama right side

Alpen_Minature_Wonderland_Panorama_right_side.JPG


3. Alpen Minature Wonderland - Paorama Left side Alpen


Alpen_Minature_Wonderland_Paorama_Left_side_Alpen.JPG




4. Alpen Minature Wonderland - the town of Saint Wendel and the Alps

Alpen_Minature_Wonderland_town_of_Saint_Wendel_and_the_Alps.JPG




5. Amerika Minature Wonderland - the Las Vegas scene

Amerika__Minature_Wonderland_1_Las_Vegas.JPG



6. Amerika Minature Wonderland - the Grand Canyon

Amerika__Minature_Wonderland_2_Grand_Canyon.JPG



================
 

atsf_arizona

New Member
================

Part 2:


7. Minature Wonderland - Landungsbrucken - a famous waterside restaurant in Hamburg

Minature_Wonderland_Hamburg_Landungsbrucken.JPG



8. Minature Wonderland - a famous bridge, Kohlbrandbrucke, over Hamburg harbor

Minature_Wonderland__Kohlbrandbrucke_bridge.JPG



9. Minature Wonderland - model of AOL-Arena in Arena, complete with 12,000 Preiser figures

Minature_Wonderland_Hamburg_model_of_AOL-Arena.JPG




10. Minature Wonderland - Hamburg skyscraper under construction

Minature_Wonderland_Hamburg_skyscraper_under_construction.JPG



11. Minature Wonderland - Knuffingen bridges - this was Feb 2004 MR article's lead photo shot


Minature_Wonderland_Knuffingen_bridges.JPG




12.
Minature Wonderland Scandanavia - Ship in real water, sails under it's own power


Minature_Wonderland_Scandanavia_Ship_real_water_powered.JPG




13. Minature Wonderland Scandanavia Kiruna - snow worker "oops!"

Minature_Wonderland_Scandanavia_Kiruna_-_snow_worker_oops.JPG



14. Minature Wonderland Scandanavia Kiruna Mine in winter


Minature_Wonderland_Scandanavia_Kiruna_Mine.JPG




=====================
 

atsf_arizona

New Member
=====================

Part 3:


15.
Minature Wonderland Control Center - Looks like NASA - railroad is fully computer operated and automated


Minature_Wonderland_u_Control_Center_-__Looks_like_NASA.JPG





16. Minature Wonderland North Sea Sunflowers

Minature_Wonderland_v_North_Sea_Sunflowers.JPG



17. Minature Wonderland - Overview of layout size and cost

Minature_Wonderland_z_Overview_layout_size_and_cost.JPG



I hope this layout tour is interesting for you all.
 

interurban

Active Member
Das ist wonderfull

You had a great trip Thanks for posting this wonderful L/O.
I love all the differant scene`s and weather change.
 

trolleynut

New Member
Ive long been an admirer of this layout.Thanks for the great pics.
The level of detail in the road system vehicles is simply incredible.I hope to see it one day.
 

Chessie6459

Gauge Oldtimer
If I remember correctly I think there is one in New Jersey as well. I will have to go through my papers here at home and find the website and I will post it. Now where did I put those papers:confused: :confused:
 

ezdays

Out AZ way
Wow, I've gone over these pics several times and it's absolutely impressive. I can't thank you enough for posting them.

Thanks also for the statistics. Now I just have to go find my conversion tables....:D
 

atsf_arizona

New Member
Hi, LiveSteamer.

I'm sure you're thinking of "Northlandz" in New Jersey.

Although I haven't been to Northlandz, from what I've seen in photos of Northlandz, I would guess Miniature Wonderland in Germany displays a much higher level of detail and fidelity.

It's incredible how many people and how much work has gone into Miniature Wonderland, and it shows. Craftsman quality would be accurate to describe the Hamburg, Alpen, and Scandanvian exhibits there.

Glad everyone has enjoyed the photos from Germany (smile). Happy Holidays.
 

shaygetz

Active Member
Thanks for the pix, John. There are precious few things that bring me to envy...a trip there would be right up there at the top. :thumb: You're right about Northlandz---while still impressive in its own right, the modeling is coarse and borders on fantasy with some of its Dr. Seuss like bridge work. Still a cool place none the less and no doubt the catalyst for more than a few beginning modelers.
 
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