The Magic of Real and Model Trains

🚂 Model railroading in Germany – “grandpa’s old hobby”? Think again!

Another antique pastime, right? In an era when young people prefer gaming to turning knobs, model railroading might sound like nostalgic filler for grandpa’s workshop. But appearances are deceiving: Germany remains a trendsetter—and the hobby is growing, even amid the social media, gaming, and online hype.

📊 Fact Check: How strong is the hobby today?

  • Märklin posted €131 million in sales in 2022—its strongest result in over 15 years.

  • Miniatur Wunderland Hamburg attracts over 1.4 million visitors annually and achieved €40.7 million in revenue in 2023.

  • Market share stats: H0 scale remains dominant, followed by N and TT; H0 is even seeing slight growth.

  • Piko (Sonneberg) reports stable demand despite rising living costs and forecasts +5 % revenue growth in 2024—especially driven by exports to Poland.

🧩 Conclusion:

Despite—or because of—digitalization, model railroading in Germany remains stable, modern, and technologically savvy.

🧑🤝🧑 Who is involved?

While the classic demographic is 60+, increasingly digital natives, makers, and young tech fans are discovering—or rediscovering—the hobby.

Clubs and trade fairs reflect this: in 2024, Hobby Messe Leipzig drew 68,300 visitors and 450+ exhibitors, including many model railway communities.

A standout event for enthusiasts is the International Model Railway Exhibition (IMA) in Göppingen—over 60,000 visitors make it one of the world’s largest of its kind.

🔧 Why does the hobby stay attractive?

  • Technical appeal: digital & app control, PC‑automated operation, 3D‑printed buildings, ultra‑detailed rolling stock—model railroading is high‑tech in miniature.

  • Passionate community: from amateur clubs to YouTube tutorials—bridging generations and skills.

  • Success stories: Piko celebrates 75 years and expands; Märklin remains financially solid.

✅ Final Word

In short: model railroading is not a fossilized pastime, but a dynamic, ever‑renewing phenomenon—especially in Germany. It blends technology, social connection, history, and precision. Once you catch the model train bug, there's no letting go.

Sometimes a childhood dream comes true—like standing on the footplate of a real steam locomotive.
Next: I also play my 1:45 scaled garden train - to bridge the summer while waiting for long winters to come in my hobby basement...

Let yourself—and your children—be swept away by the fascination of big and small trains.
Whether in 1:1, 1:45 or 1:87 scale, railways inspire—across generations.