AWCH Miniatur-Wunderland

One of my clear childhood memories is of a friend’s very impressive train-set. It had a fully equipped station with electric lights that actually worked. Compared to our very basic set, this was a delight to watch in action. What is it about train-sets? Why do so many of us enjoy them so much, while others are left indifferent?

I have no idea and I’m not going to write an essay on the hidden meanings either.

What I’m going to write about is the incredible miniature train “world“ to be found in Hamburg’s very own Speicherstadt – a worthy outing for both adults and kids alike. Last time I was there, the lay-out had grown into four large areas. The newest, just beyond the snack bar, included an airport, the end of the line stations for all sorts of trains including the latest Inter City Express (ICE) model and spread into a sort of compact version of Hamburg. The second extends the lines into a more rural area with all sorts of interactive features. With interactive I mean you can press a button and put things into motion – such as a fun-fair with all kinds of rides including a roller coaster that pulls up a tiny carriage and let’s it rush down a looping track. Beyond that again is a very extensive city with all kinds of vehicles rushing round the streets, carefully computer synchronised, stopping at traffic lights, breaking down or having accidents that the police cars have to come and sort out. It is here that, when evening comes (yes, the light dims periodically till darkness sets in, followed some short time later by day-break and a new morning!), a fire inevitably breaks out somewhere. Each “night“ it’s in a different location – the chateau on the hill, a town house or at the scene of an accident. Immediately the fire-house lights up and fire-engines tear out to the scene to put out the flames! The fourth setting is alpine. Apart from a series of normal train lines, ski-lifts of every type and description carry skiers to the snowy slopes. To the left, at the foot of a rocky escarent, is a jail with a break-out in progress. Press a button and floods lights spin around trying to locate the convicts!

Finished since December last year is a jump across the pond to America, complete with a monster truck rally, drive-in movie theater, canyon lands and the Florida Everglades.

Apart from the train landscapes themselves, there is much more to see and do. There are viewing rooms to watch videos of the whole development of the project, ateliers where you can see the craftsmen at work on future exhibits; there’s an old train set rescued from a local Hamburger’s basement, a play area, a café and, of course, a store!

The Miniatur-Wunderland, as it’s called, is located in the Speicherstadt – the old dock ware-house area of the harbour, which is being given a new lease of life thanks to this and other projects. The closest U-Bahn station, Baumwall, is still a pleasant walking distance away, offering an interesting view as you follow the river’s edge eastward. The M-W is on the other side of the water, the sign perfectly visible next to the Hamburg Dungeon. At peak times there can be long lines to get in, so I suggest choosing the day for a visit carefully. Taking pre-schoolers means you can probably go during the week, plus, if they are less than a metre tall, they get in free! Kids up to 16 cost EUR 4, adults EUR 9.

So, all you train-set fans out there, if you haven’t yet visited this exhibit, you’re going to be more than pleasantly surprised. Those who have already been will know it’s worth another visit!