Mini-Me
The World of Wunderland
Published: 8/4/21
By: Gordon Dawson
I'm a train buff. I love trains. Anyone that truly knows me can attest to this fact. At the age of 5, my dad introduced me to the incredible world of model trains by resurrecting his childhood train he received at nearly the same age from his dad. It was modeled after the old Zephyr Line of engines and passenger transportation. This was America's first diesel streamline engine and was an O Scale model, which means it was built to 1/48th the size of a standard-sized train. This also works out to 1/4" on a model is equal to 1ft on the real thing. This scale was largely popular during my dad's era of the 1930s to the 1960s. However, today, the HO (1/87th) scale is the most popular for a more modern appearance. My dad was super passionate about his trains and let me play with his childhood toy for endless hours. I still have this first train, and although he has ruined its value by repainting it because it still runs, I've had it appraised in the low $700's.
Still, I will watch videos of model train layouts to videos of actual trains transporting in real-time. It's widely fascinating what all is out there on Youtube for an avid train buff like myself. Most shockingly, though, I stumbled upon a video showcasing the world's largest miniature train railway production. Called Miniatur Wunderland Hamburg, two young train enthusiasts and twin brothers set out to make an overwhelming, one-of-a-kind display, traversing several floors of an old manufacturing warehouse outside Hamburg, Germany.
In 2000, Frederik Braun was inspired by a railway model shop which provoked a rush of childhood memories. He reached out to his twin brother Gerrit and said, "We are going to build the world's largest model railway." Gerrit realized his brother was serious after receiving numerous enthusiastic and exhausting calls with new ideas. Although there would be tremendous technical and financial challenges, overall, they agreed, the project should be possible. They brought in a business partner, Stephan Hertz, and began spending their time substantiating their mutual dream and committing themselves to this risky adventure.
Financing was surprisingly easy as they approached their bank with a 2-page outline of their dream and a request for 2 million Deutsche Mark (nearly 1.5 million dollars). Oddly, the bank did not laugh at them from the building but instead agreed to the loan. This turned out to be an enormous miscalculation as the amount has grown to 14 million euros. Fortunately, the number of anticipated visitors was also miscalculated. Over 1.4 million people from all over the world have visited the Wunderland.
The team approached Gerhard Tauscher, a highly recognized German maker and layout designer from South Germany. He became infected with the idea, canceled all current and future projects, and is still, to this day, head of all model making. He created a cast of 40 model makers and craftsmen to begin the construction of Miniatur Wunderland.
Currently, the display will take you around the world to these locations:
Central Germany, Knuffingen, Austria, Hamburg, USA, Scandinavia, Switzerland, Knuffingen Airport, Italy, Venice, Fun Fair, Monaco, and South America.
It spans more than 7000 M/sq (75K sq/ft) and plans to expand until 2028.
260,000 figures
36 Million Euros (42.7 million dollars) in building costs with 760,000 hours of construction time
42 functioning airplanes
9,250 cars, 4,110 buildings & 130,000 trees
1,040 trains with 1,380 signals & 15,400m of track
385,000 LED's
What's so crazy about this layout are the engineering feats.
Not only are there over a thousand trains operating at any given moment, guiding you on an around-the-world view showcasing various landscapes and topography, but there are thousands of figurines doing all kinds of animated movements. There are countless automobiles in all kinds of makes and models traveling the layout as if in real life. There are first responder scenarios portrayed at various times during the layout operations. There is an active stadium with a live soccer event and a live music concert with various festival rides and activities happening. Equally impressive is how the layout will change from day to night, and you're in awe of the life created from all the LEDs. But most impressive is the one-of-a-kind fully functional airport, Knuffigen Airport, featuring realistic air traffic. This section of Wunderland alone took nearly six years and 4M Euros to complete. Describing it in words cannot begin to capture the incredible amount of engineering invested in making this scenery come to life. You'll have to view the included links to see for yourself the mind-blowing ways in which they depart, land, and portray realistic airplanes within a realistic airport experience.
There are countless videos about this remarkable feat of engineering, and yes, I've even fully watched one that's over 2 hours long. However, my favorite ones are the airport functions and the behind the scene videos. Maybe this will inspire you to make your own small-scale world of "Wunder."
Context
Thoughts
– Is model railroading an area of interest?
– Are we running out of generations interested in keeping up with the model train hobby?
– What's your favorite hobby?
