The World of Model Trains

Video #483#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QFYHmWekkc

Big Steamers Paradise in O Scale - The Iconic Model Railroad Layout Greenbrook by Norm Charbonneau

If you like the big American steam locomotives, you will enjoy this model railroad video very much. This video was made not only for entertainment, but it is also a memorial to the superb 3-rail O gauge railroad that was built by Norm Charbonneau more than 20 years ago. After Pilentum Television had already published a video of this legendary miniature world a few weeks ago, good video footage in 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio could be used at that time. But this video consists of very old video footage originally shot in 4:3 aspect ratio with a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels only. The image quality of the old cameras was not high-resolution. Therefore, the old video footage is noisy and blurry. But they were such beautiful moving pictures of steam locomotives and model trains that it would be a shame if this footage remained unseen. Therefore, Pilentum Television has extensively restored the old video files transferred by Norm Charbonneau and tried to produce a video presentation in the best possible quality. A whole army of video tools, plug-ins and color correction filters was needed to optimize the video footage. Let’s hope that this video presentation is still entertaining although the video has a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels only. Often Norm Charbonneau’s model railroad layout “Greenbrook” has been featured in American magazines for rail transport modeling. The model train layout has attained iconic status in the world of 3-rail O gauge model railroading. Unfortunately, this amazing big steamers’ paradise no longer exists because Norm Charbonneau decided to build a new o scale layout. It is the attention to detail and the passion to weather locomotives, trains and buildings that makes this model railroad layout so impressive. Everything - from the rails to the rooftops - has weathering effects ranging from a dusting of soot to a heavy cloak of grime. In addition, the combination of sound effects and steam generators integrated into the locomotives makes us forget that we are watching a toy train layout. Motive power, rolling stock and train sets consist of Lionel, 3rd Rail, Weaver, MTH and Atlas. The layout’s scenery, approximately 22 x 19 feet, was influenced by the major railroad junctions and marshalling yards in New England, Pittsburgh and Detroit. Finally, let yourself be enchanted by the magical clouds of smoke blown out by the steam locomotives.

Video #482#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLPB-klVlK8

Trens no Brasil - H0 scale model railway layout and beautifully weathered long trains

In this video, Pilentum Television presents an authentic model railway layout made in Brazil, where people call model railroading “ferreomodelismo”. Powerful diesel locomotives and beautifully weathered model trains used by the former Brazilian railway company “Rede Ferroviária Federal Sociedade Anônima” (RFFSA) are circulating on the HO scale layout. This miniature world was built by Everton de Moura Cabral, a railway enthusiast who lives in the city of Divinópolis, Brazil.

The rail model depicts a common railway system in Brazil, especially in the state of Minas Gerais surrounded by mountains, waterfalls and rivers. On the model railroad layout, there is also a limestone mining, which is common for the countryside of Minas Gerais. And of course, there are very long freight trains, which is also common for the rail traffic in Brazil. 46 meters of tracks are used on the layout which takes about 14 square meters in size.

Video #481#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjURDMvO0Ew

One of the most detailed model railroad layouts for America’s biggest steam locomotives in O scale

If you’ve been around model railroading in O scale for a time, you’ve likely heard of Norm Charbonneau and his superbly detailed model railroad layout which was called “Greenbrook”. This amazing layout has been featured in the hobby press and it has attained well-deserved legendary status in the world of 3-rail O gauge railroading. Unfortunately, this dreamlike miniature world no longer exists! But how to present a layout that has already been dismantled about ten years ago? The answer is simple: If you explore Pilentum Television’s website, you will find a section called “Video Upload” on the main page, see https://www.pilentum-television.com/e.... Every railway modeller has the opportunity to submit video footage of his model railway layout to Pilentum Television. By doing so, Norm Charbonneau shared old video footage. This video footage is intended to give viewers the memory of one of the most impressive model railroads in the United States. When you watch this video, then you will realize that it is a modeling masterpiece in O gauge. 100 percent of this layout has weathering effects ranging from a dusting of soot to a heavy cloak of grime. From the beginning, Norm Charbonneau assembled toy train layouts directly on the floor. After receiving a Lionel train set, he started to work on his first layout. He named it “Greensville” and it was nothing more than a chunk of plywood covered in Life-Like grass paper with a train station. After experimenting with HO Scale and N Scale for a brief time, he began to pursue O Scale again. Many years later, after he settled in Michigan and fascinated by Pittsburgh’s awesome railroad and industrial heritage, he started building a new layout in the basement of his house. Initially, he just wanted to run a lot of trains. Wide curves were a must for some of the larger scale steamers he managed to acquire in the past few years. Furthermore, long straight shots were desired to show off long lines of freight cars. He decided on several separate loops, with two separate yards for storing engines and cars. Scenery should consist of mountains at one end and a large industrial city at the other. Benchwork for the new layout started in February, 2003. It should become a layout with overall dimensions 22.5 feet by 19.5 feet, which offers enough space for locomotives and rolling stock by Lionel, 3rd Rail, Weaver, MTH and Atlas. The layout scenery is influenced by the places Norm Charbonneau has lived, namely New England, Pittsburgh and Detroit. He soon realized that to make anything of the size needed to convey a sense of imposing presence, he would have to scratchbuild. Scratchbuilding also helped fulfill another desire, to make the layout look as unique as possible. While there was a period when all he knew was Lionel and MTH products, he soon discovered the vast selection of detail parts from outfits like Berkshire Valley, Grandt Line, and Model Tech Studios. While often the structure retains some characteristics of original kits, he erected customized buildings featuring add-on Plasticville details and weathering effects. Control is handled by Lionel’s TMCC system. Motive power and rolling stock started off as a mix of Lionel TMCC-equipped train sets. As the layout progressed though, he found himself drawn more and more toward powerful steam locomotives. Lionel’s efforts of late have been very accurate representations of their prototypes and their sounds, especially the RailSounds versions. His fascination with big, scale steam power grew. Driven by a keen interest in the mechanics of steam locomotives, Norm’s collection of big steamers also grew. His trains ran and sounded realistically, but compared to the scenery and structures that he worked so hard to look authentic, his big scale steamers still looked shiny and toy-like. That was the time to transfer the knowledge of kitbashing, scratchbuilding, detailing and weathering to the model trains. Therefore, he decided that it was time to take the final step into hi-rail modeling. So he focused on making his trains, including steam and diesel locomotives, match the layout’s grimy scenery palette. His main objective was to tone down the color of the trains. He sprayed Polly Scale grimy black, rust and Dirt acrylic paint colors onto the trains. He also drybrushed reefer gray paint on some parts to help highlight the details. By doing so, his motive power and rolling stock looked like they fit into the scenery. Model trains have become part of the scenery, as opposed to being objects untouched by their environment. Norm weathered his steam locomotives by spraying the smokebox and boiler with a grimy black paint color. Wheels, frame and cylinders receive a light coat of dirt-colored paint. He also glues cinders on some running boards along the boiler.

Video #480#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySr7xwfR3kU

Rubber-Tired Trains on a French Field Railway Layout - Rail Bus and Rail Lorry (Model Railroading)

The model railroad layout built by the French club “Amis du Rail 67” is not only a field railway diorama, but also a miniature world inspired by the landscape of the Northern Vosges in Alsace, France. The model railway layout is called “Réseau Vosges du Nord” and consists of two sections, one is a 1/87 scale model railroad and the other is a narrow gauge model rail. When the model train layout is installed at an exhibition, it has a size of 15 x 5 meters. In this video, however, we will look only at the section of the narrow gauge trains. Apart from the farm, the landscape and the small village, exceptionally rare, historic model trains run. These scale models are rail trucks and rail buses, known in France as “Trains sur pneus”, “Rames sur pneus” or “Camion sur rail”. The rail vehicles were manufactured by Patrice Hamm, who is a well-known model builder from France. In particular, the French “Micheline Automotrice sur pneus” was one of the first rubber trains or rubber-tired trains. Many years ago, Marklin company had sold various Micheline rail buses in HO scale as special edition under item numbers 3122 and 3603. Finally, we discover not only quite rare model trains in this video, but also a beautiful French-inspired miniature world made perfect with a background wallpaper painted by hand by Patrice Hamm.

Video #479#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jl5U3y423SM

Steam Locomotives and Steam Locos and Steam Trains (Rail Transport Modeling)

Whether steam locomotives, steam locos, steam engines or steam trains, we discover a magnificent miniature world on Matthias Martin’s large model railway layout. This Gauge 1 layout is probably one of the most beautiful and one of the largest private model railroads in 1/32 scale in Germany, which took over twelve years to build.

Video #478#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5f9ljTBZ-8

British Railway Modelling - Hornby and Bachmann Model Trains UK - OO Gauge Running Session

In this video we discover a superb British model railway layout built by Joel Nicholl. The model train diorama is called “Trepatrick Junction”. The OO gauge modern image layout is set in a fictional present day Cornish Town. The model rail depicts a 5 platform terminus station. Joel Nicholl started to build this British layout in September 2019. The model rail layout progressed quickly in 2020 and is now nearing completion with just a few more details to add as a layout is never really finished. Joel’s model train layout features colour light signals, controlled by a set of switches, as well as working point motors. He has also wired up a number of lighting features including traffic lights, interior lights on buildings, street lights and many other small lighting features such as illuminated vending machines. The main attraction is, of course, the rolling stock consisting of diesel multiple units (DMU) and electric multiple units (EMU). The trains that you see running include: Bachmann class 350 EMU - 4 carriages “London Midland” livery, Bachmann class 108 DMU - 2 carriages “Network Southeast” livery, Hornby class 153 single car DMU “GWR” livery and Hornby class 121 single car DMU “Network Southeast” livery.

Video #477#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQMi2ppXj5E

HO scale model trains in Switzerland: Brian Rodham’s beautiful Swiss model railway layout

Once again, we discover a work of art in the field of model railroading or railway modelling. In this video, we enjoy one of the finest Swiss model railway layouts, that has rails for both narrow gauge, correctly metre gauge, and standard gauge model trains. This Swiss model railroad was constructed by the British model maker Brian Rodham and took about ten years of work. The L-shaped layout has been gradually developed, altered and expanded upon. The overall length is 4.6 metres, the width is 1.1 metre, but 1.4 metre at the widest point of the L shape. The height from the water level to the top of the mountain is also 1.1 metre. The height of this modelled mountain clearly tells us that Brian Rodham has always liked the scenery found in Switzerland with its lakes, waterfalls, meadows and high mountains. Many years ago, he bought books in England about the “Rhätische Bahn” (Rhaetian Railway), the “Gotthardbahn” (Gotthard Railway) and the “Bern-Lötschberg-Simplon-Bahn” (Bern-Loetschberg-Simplon Railway) written by Franz Marti and Walter Trub. Looking at the photographs in this books inspired him to visit Switzerland. After his visits to Switzerland he decided to build a model railway. He started the construction in the loft space in his home but soon he knew he would need more space because the cramped conditions were a little difficult in the loft space. So he started the second model railway from scratch in his garage space. The base was a timber space frame and he used crumpled, thick lining paper coated with PVA glue to make the landscape, the hills and ravines. The rocks are formed with a type of expanding foam usually used to insulate roofs. All kinds of blended colours in Daler Rowney Acrylic paints were used to make the rocks look lifelike. At first he made a number of houses from Kibri model kits, some of which still remain on the model today. After this he knew he should build some timber chalets from scratch as the Kibri model buildings had mainly flat bases and the buildings needed to fit into a variety of rugged parts of his miniature world of Switzerland. Many chalets and barns were based on the buildings in the old town in Brienz and Zermatt. He tried to make them look as authentic as possible. The roof tiles of the chalets and barns are all individual tiles cut from thin card. He incorporated a lake and a number of waterfalls to give a dramatic appearance. The latest addition to the model railway layout is a timber constructed roofed bridge which crosses one of the waterfalls. Using static grass on the landscape was a great improvement to the appearance of the layout as originally he used basic scatter materials. He used a variety of shades of greens and browns to show the contours. The browner colours can be used under trees to create shadows. The texture looks better too rather than the flat surface of the scatter materials. Brian Rodham began the layout with HO scale but felt he would like to have an HOm scale railway running in tandem with this as you would find in Switzerland. For better understanding, it should be noted: In Europe the 1/87 scale is called HO scale or H0 gauge with a track gauge of 16.5 mm or 0.65 inches. Metre gauge railways in 1/87 scale use a track gauge of 12.0 mm or 0.472 inches and are called HOm scale or H0m gauge, except in the United States, where this scale is called HOn3½. However, most of the locomotives and carriages on the HO scale railway are by Roco. The metre gauge RhB railway locomotives and stock are all by Bemo. Because Brian Rodham also collects model cars, especially Swiss model buses by Rietze, we can discover some miniature vehicles on the model railway. Finally, it remains to be mentioned that the pantographs of the locos are of course in contact with the overhead line or catenary. In addition, authentic Swiss model signals are in use on the layout. Whether we want to call it a piece of art or a masterpiece in rail transport modeling, it is magnificent to watch the winding railway lines and wooden houses in this beautifully designed miniature world.

Video #476#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRkygUYxRRo

One of the largest model railroad HO scale layouts in the United States: The Lehigh & Keystone Valley Museum

After seeing many European model railroad layouts on Pilentum Television’s YouTube Channel over the past few weeks, it is time to see model trains from the United States. We do not explore a small train diorama in this video, however, but we discover one of the largest model railway layouts in the United States, namely a 5,000 square feet operating HO scale layout, consisting of about 7,000 feet of track and over 250 turnouts. We are in the superb Lehigh & Keystone Valley Model Railroad Museum in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and we enjoy a cab ride on the winding railroads, along beautiful scenic displays and models of historic locations once located on the historic routes of the Lehigh Valley Railroad during the period 1950 to 1976 from West Portal to Bethlehem and north to Coxton, the Reading Railroad from Quakertown to Bethlehem and then to Harrisburg, and the Central Railroad of New Jersey from Elizabethport to Wilkes-Barre. Spoken in metric system, the winding model railroad layout built on two levels, covers about 464 square meters on more than 2,100 meters of HO scale tracks. From the train driver’s view we can explore every inch of track and watch as model trains pass by miniature versions of historic sites from around the area, for example, depictions of areas reaching as far west as Harrisburg, as far north as upstate New York, and as far east as Elizabethport. Anyone familiar with the geographical area will recognize plenty of local landmarks along the miniature world, such as Bethlehem Steel’s iconic stacks and furnaces, the former Allentown passenger station, Bethlehem Steel’s Coke Works, the former Huber Breaker building in Ashley, Luzerne County, the Easton railroad station and many others. The whole railroad museum pays homage to many former Pennsylvania businesses and buildings. Therefore, all scenes are modeled from the 1960s & 1970s. Due to the historic nature of many of the landmarks included in the display, members of the Museum recreate many of the buildings and stations from scratch, relying on period photographs to do so. But the most overwhelming is the model rail, which also uses a big helix connecting the lower and upper level. Pilentum Television estimates it would take about 15 to 20 minutes for a train to complete a full lap of the track. Originally, the Lehigh & Keystone Valley Model Railroad Club formed in 1994 started to build the model railroad. In November 1996, the members purchased a building where model railroad operations continue today. So they have spent more than 20 years constructing a model railroad layout depicting the historic routes of their local railroads. In 2006, wishing to share their miniature world with the general public, they formed the Lehigh & Keystone Valley Model Railroad Museum. Today, members of the club operate and maintain the model railroad layout which was switched from DC to the NCE DCC system. Furthermore, a computer system was incorporated based on JMRI software to run train detection and signaling utilizing Digi Trax equipment. Finally, there is a centralized traffic control room using six computer screens that allows to operate the entire layout and to provide prototypical operation of the railroad.

Video #475#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DATpBsclP-E

Ferromodelismo Chile: Model railroad operating session with Märklin trains in Gauge 1

In Chile, where people call the rail transport modeling “ferromodelismo”, lives Jaime Ruz. He is a model railroader who owns a large garden railway in 1/32 scale. In addition, he likes scratch building, especially model building of from scratch, namely from raw materials. He does not use commercial kits or pre-assembled scale models. However, usually in November, he invites his Märklin friends to his garden to have model railway running session on his garden railroad layout. Unfortunately, due to general circumstances, not all friends were present, so we can only see six different locomotives. Nevertheless, it is nice to watch at these model trains and especially to hear the original sound of these locos.

Video #474#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3nX2HMTzdY

8K Video Model Trains HO Scale

I love this HO scale layout and model train diorama. It is an authentic video with real sound of the locomotives (no dubbing) and active pantographs on the catenary.

Video #473#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwxmEY7Pb4Y

Garden Railway Cab Ride Madurodam Amusement Park: Outstanding Model Trains in 1/25 Scale

Madurodam is a miniature park and tourist attraction in the Scheveningen district of The Hague in the Netherlands. The amusement park is home to a range of 1/25 scale model replicas of famous Dutch landmarks and historical buildings. The miniature world of Madurodam strives to show a realistic view of the Netherlands in a scaled-down environment. Everything, including model trains, cars on the motorway and aircraft at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, are modelled to scale. Madurodam’s model railroad is the largest garden railway layout in 1/25 scale in the world, with a length of approximately four kilometers. The garden railroad contains four stations and nine bridges. The track is divided into 33 blocks, so twelve trains can run simultaneously. All trains are handmade from brass and polyester. The rolling stock runs more than 20,000 kilometers per year and regularly goes to the workshop for overhaul. In 2008, Ben Mathon filmed a cab ride on Madurodam’s model train layout. This movie shows what the miniature railway looks like from the train driver’s point of view. At that time, the camera was mounted on a freight wagon that was pushed by a locomotive along the rails, so that it seems as if the viewer is sitting in the miniature train himself. 13 years later, Markus Lenz of Pilentum Television discovered this movie and received permission from Ben Mathon to edit the video footage and republish the video on YouTube. All footage was shot before opening time to avoid visitors walking around the amusement park. I guess, after watching a few minutes of this video, you will forget that everything you see, for example trains, tunnels, bridges, stations, buildings, ships, etc., is a miniature world built in 1/25 scale.

Video #472#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgXO2Fbea8I

Maquete de trem do Rio de Janeiro - Model train diorama and model railway scenery of Brazil

On websites dealing with model railways as well as in social networks dealing with model railroading, we have been able to read reports that the “Miniatur Wunderland”, today the largest model train exhibition in the world, is to be expanded in the next few years. In December 2021, the latest section inside the Miniatur Wonderland was presented to the public, namely South America. The German model builders or model makers have constructed large parts of the South American continent, including Argentina and Chile, and the famous city of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil is the beginning of this great project. On 46 square meters, we can discover the famous statue of Christ towering over the city. There is also the popular beach at the Copacabana or the Sugar Loaf in the bay of Rio de Janeiro. In addition to these landmarks, the colourful carnival activities in the so-called “Sambódromo” and the neighbourhoods, the so-called “Favelas” (slums), have also been built. The new section has been developed not only by the technicians in Germany, but also by experts from South America. Together with the Martinez Family from Buenos Aires in Argentina, all modules and segments of the South American diorama were created. The Martinez Family is a well-known model building company in Argentina and with their help it was possible to expand the European perspective in model building in such a way that architectural style and design elements of South America could be authentically rebuilt true to scale. More than 60,000 working hours were required for the construction of the Rio de Janeiro section. There are 300 houses and buildings in this miniature world. Around 85 model trains and streetcars run on tracks with a length of 423 meters. 20 ships are docked in the miniature bay of Rio de Janeiro and a total of 20,000 figurines bring the Brazilian miniature world to life. Furthermore, there are 1,000 model cars and 12,000 trees. 18,000 lights provide authentic lighting for the Brazilian miniature world both during the day and at night. In my opinion, the the eye-catcher is the urban area with the “Favelas” (slums). Along the streets and cramped houses, countless loving details from everyday life can be discovered, such as the crisscrossing power lines that characterize the streetscape. However, this is a work of art and a true masterpiece! Please, enjoy the beautiful pictures and feel as if you are on holiday in Brazil.

Video #471#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3oVluoBiU4

Vlaky Modely České Dráhy - Model Trains HO Scale of the Czech Republic

This video about model trains of the České Dráhy, the Czech Railways, often shortened to ČD, is dedicated to viewers of Pilentum Television from the Czech Republic. Far too rarely do we see the beautiful model railway layouts built by Czech railway clubs. Therefore, in this video we take a closer look at locomotives, rail buses and wagons used on Czech railways. The trains run on a model railway layout presenting a large railway station on the border between Germany and the Czech Republic. Although we see German platforms and railway signals, Czech trains still run here. The HO scale layout was built by Cristóbal Miranda from Chile in South America. Its model rail layout is called “Neupreussen HBF”. Cristóbal manages a special website with many pictures on Instagram, see https://www.instagram.com/neupreussenhbf - Trains and Locomotives in this video: ČD Cargo 742 Locomotive by MTB, ČD Cargo Vectron 383 Locomotive by Roco, ČD 371 Locomotive by Piko, ČD 754 Locomotive by Roco, ČD Rail Bus 810 by Roco, ČD Rail Bus 854 by MTB, ČD Cars and Coaches by Piko, Tillig, Roco and ACME

Video #470#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZHNdVXrOQ8

One of Germany’s most extraordinary HO Scale Model Railroad Layouts - 8k Video Ultra HD

In this video Pilentum Television presents a German model railway layout, which contains so many beautiful details that you can’t believe your eyes. Although the HO gauge model trains, especially the electric locomotives run with pantographs up, they fade into the background when you see the extraordinary beauty of the model railroad scenery. There are such beautiful buildings with incredibly detailed interiors for example the workshop for tractors, the locomotive shed, the old gas station or the farm that you think you are in a real world. But it’s just a miniature world built by a German manufactory for professional model railroading in 1/87 scale. The focus of this HO scale layout is a double-tracked, electrified main line with a branching local railroad. In terms of time, the miniature world is set in Era III on an area of about 380 cm x 270 cm. On the layout are mainly train sets in operation that were used by the German Federal Railways between the 1960’s and 1980’s. It goes without saying that the model trains have also been weathered perfectly. They look old, rusty and used. The main line is spanned by a large, rusted steel bridge, over which runs the branch line leading to the station. The station is located in the small village of Lindental. Therefore, the name of the entire model railway layout is also Lindental. Lindental is a fictional village in Bavaria. The village only exists in this miniature world. Steam trains arrive at the railway station and rail buses depart. Next to the station there is a freight loading station and a small locomotive shed for maintenance work. This locomotive shed is completely furnished - it’s amazing! The model railway layout was built for a customer who is a Märklin fan. Therefore, we unfortunately have to see the ugly three rail track. But Markus from Pilentum Television often made such camera slides that the tracks are not visible. Underneath the layout are four hidden fiddle yards where trains for the main line and branch line are parked. The entire rail network is controlled digitally via the PC software “Train Controller”.

Video #469#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhiagqaKTqc

Underground Model Railway Layout and Subway Model Trains in HO scale

Realistic subway stations, also known as rapid transit trains, metro, tube, underground or metropolitan, are a rarity in model railroading. One difficulty is definitely the rolling stock, because almost every city has its own metro cars. Which manufacturer therefore wants to take on the challenge of building underground model trains designed like the New York City Subway, the Madrid Metro, the São Paulo Metro, the Shanghai Metro, the Sydney Metro, the London Underground Metropolitan Railway, the Beijing Subway, the Delhi Metro or the famous Moscow Metro. In Germany, there are underground stations that are not only served by underground trains, but also by regional trains, local trains and commuter trains. Cristóbal Miranda has built such a station as a diorama in HO scale. The underground station is part of his beautiful model railway layout, called “Neupreussen HBF” and has already been presented on Pilentum Television. The underground station at the main station in the city of Stuttgart, Germany, and the station at the airport in Dresden, Germany, served as models for this model railway station.

Video #468#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tCpTZwVadw

Beautiful French Model Railway Diorama in Narrow Gauge Sainte Ellisaire by Jaco Vroom

In this video, the Dutch model railroader Jaco Vroom presents his charming diorama of the French railway station called “Sainte Ellisaire”. The model railway layout depicts Alsace in France in the 1950's and 1960's. At that time, many branch lines in France were not built as standard gauge railways, but in narrow gauge. Therefore, Jaco Vroom also built his model train layout in narrow gauge, namely 9 mm or 0.354 inch. The European Standards for Model Railways (NEM), also known as Normal European Modelling Standards (NEM Standards) refer to this scale as H0e. The National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) defines this scale as HOn30. Sainte Ellisaire is a small village surrounded by beautiful vineyards. The railway station is so small that it is not served by the French National Railway Company, also known as “Société nationale des chemins de fer français” (SNCF). The regional rail traffic, consisting mainly of steam trains, diesel trains and rail buses, is operated by the so-called Departmental Railway Company, better known as “Compagnie de chemins de fer départementaux” (CFD).

Video #467#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOhyaNQ_L7U

Steam locomotive and ho scale trains: Model railroad operation session in Virgental by Wim de Zee

The Maerklin model railway layout called “Virgental” is one of those few private model train layouts that you can spend hours looking at. Although the model railway layout was built by the Dutch model railroader Wim de Zee in the Netherlands, it is based on the German Federal Railway in Era III (1945 to 1970) with many steam locomotives and thousands of details. Since early childhood, Wim de Zee has been fascinated by model railroading and railway modelling. Twelve years ago, he started building a superb dream layout. The basic idea was a valley with several bridges on top of each other. After some searching on the Internet, he came across the “Virgental Valley” in East Tyrol in Austria, which he liked very much, so he named his HO scale layout “Virgental”. If you now think that the combination of Dutch model builder, Austrian place names and German model trains has resulted in a motley miniature world without a concept, you are definitely wrong, because on almost every square centimeter of this model railway layout there is such an infinite amount of authentic detail as you would otherwise only know from the famous Miniatur Wunderland. In 2004, with the help of the 3D planning software “Wintrack”, the design and track plan for Wim’s layout were created, which took over a year. The result is a design that allows trains to run with a lot of variety and, in addition, the silhouette of the town of Virgental can be seen in the background. In the town there is a weekly market, a fire station, an antique market and an imposing town gate. Opposite is a grand locomotive shed with turntable, depot and coaling station. The roundhouse can accommodate 16 steam locomotives. Furthermore, a small locomotive shed is available for electric locomotives, where necessary repairs and maintenance work are carried out. Finally, the area of the railway depot is surrounded by an enchanting backdrop of houses. It took over twelve years to build this model railway. First of all, Wim built the superimposed bridges in the Virgental Valley. From here, the main railway line extends to the Virgental Railway Station. The station, with six tracks for freight and passenger traffic and with an additional track for local traffic, is situated in a small curve, so that viewers can enjoy a good overview of the arrival and departure of the trains. Houses and buildings in this miniature world are products of the popular model making companies. Often the buildings have been modified and always freed from their plastic, artificial appearance with the help of additional colours. However, there are also buildings made of cardboard, such as the baggage handling area near the station. The tractor workshop, a large bridge and shops built into the mountain wall have been modelled out of plaster. The model railway enthusiast Wim de Zee loves the details, so all the buildings have appropriate interiors and are located on streets with typical German street names, such as Virgentalstrasse (Virgental Valley Street), Wilhelmstrasse (Wilhelm Street) or Wilhelmplatz (Wilhelm’s Square). In addition, all houses are illuminated and they have their own house numbers. The streets and pavements are made of cobblestones and have been coloured as well as weathered. Wim’s model train layout runs in automatic mode and is controlled by the Koploper PC programme. All locomotives are equipped with decoders. The turnouts or switches are servo-controlled. Underneath the layout, there are several levels and track spirals with optional switchable reversing loop function. There are also three staging yards or fiddle yards with space for a total of 15 train sets. Finally, Wim de Zee has created a work of art. His model train layout is a masterpiece built in museum quality - similar to the famous works of Josef Brandl or Bernhard Stein.

Video #466#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wicX6mgCbHU

One of Chile’s finest and most detailed private model railway layouts in HO scale

Sometimes it is a bit crazy in model railroading: Pilentum, known to many as a German, is looking for the most beautiful model train layouts to document with his video camera and then Pilentum has to realise that these model railway layouts or model railroad layouts are not constructed in Germany but are being built 12,000 kilometers away in South America in Chile. But that is what makes Pilentum Television so appealing: Always special model railroads, unique model railways and amazing background stories. Where can you find a German model railway layout with prototypical trains, working catenary and correct railway signals and signs? You will find that on Cristóbal Miranda’s superb HO scale layout in Santiago de Chile. Cristóbal and his friends from Germany have constructed the “Neupreussen Model Train Layout”. It is a small HO scale layout with dimensions of 2.60 x 1.95 meters on two levels that represents a German landscape near the border of Austria and the Czech Republic. The name “Neupreussen” is derived from the main station building, which was built in the Prussian style. The “Neupreussen Model Train Layout” was built by Olaf Hartmann and Cristóbal Miranda. They are friends, one living in Stuttgart, Germany, and the other in Santiago, Chile. The design of tracks, trains, timetables, control systems and signals has been carried out together despite the fact that Olaf and Cristóbal are 12,000 kilometers apart. They made several trips between the two countries to look for new scale models and accessories for their model railway layout. They also travelled through Austria and the Czech Republic to learn about the railway systems of each country. The track used on the layout is made by Roco, Peco, Atlas and Piko (Code 100). The model trains are controlled by the “Roco Z 21” digital system, using decoders made by Zimo, ESU, Uhlenbrock and Kuehn. The whole model railroad control works via Arduino Micro Computers. These single-board computers take care of the whole traffic control. Furthermore, they are in use as signal box, switch controller and track detectors or occupancy detectors. But Pilentum Television did not film the control technology behind the scenes, instead he concentrated on the many model trains running on the beautiful layout. The “Neupreussen Model Train Layout” has one large main station with five tracks for passenger trains and three tracks for freight trains. There is also a small marshalling yard and a locomotive shed - but both are currently under construction. As you can see in the video, the entire layout is electrified with an original, German catenary and electric locomotives can run with their pantographs raised. The poles of the catenary are made by Viessmann and the catenary cable is handmade. The buildings are bought from Auhagen, Kibri and Vollmer and Faller. There are two more railway stations on the layout: Blumenfeld and Flughafen (Airport) where regional, local and commuter trains stop. The airport station is constructed underground. In addition, a small staging yard exists below the layout where four model trains with eight coaches can be parked. Inside the “Neupreussen Miniature World”, there are all popular German express trains, usually called Eurocity, Intercity or ICE. Due to the fictive proximity to the Czech and Austrian border, we also see the famous trains of the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) and of the Czech Railways (České Dráhy). For this reason, we see a mixture of German regional trains, Austrian cargo trains and Czech express trains. Finally, the “Neupreussen Model Train Layout” is not yet completed, of course. New details are being added all the time. In addition, the model railway control system based on Arduino single-board computers is currently being optimised to monitor more signals and to enlarge the layout. The construction progress is regularly published on Cristóbal Miranda’s Instagram page. However, just enjoy the selection of many beautiful model trains.

Video #465#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5Nb_-q1ArI

One of Germany’s finest and most unknown private model railway layouts in N scale

Sometimes model railroading causes the question of whether genius and madness are related? In this rail transport modeling video, we find the answer to whether a crazy model railroader or a legendary genius has built this very large model railway layout of the German city of Stuttgart. This miniature world built in N scale is the life’s work of Wolfgang Frey. He was a German model railway enthusiast who passed away in 2012. In November 1978, Wolfgang Frey had started building his model train layout. His dream was to build an exact scale model of Stuttgart’s central main station, of all platforms, of all houses and buildings, of all roads, of all tramway lines, of all signal boxes, of all freight stations, of all locomotive sheds and of all surrounding railway lines.

Video #464#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyFhZAfxB3g

Model trains in HO scale: Cab ride through the large miniature world of Modelspoorgroep Nienoord

In the north of the Netherlands, near the town of Leek, there is a beautiful model railway layout built by the Dutch model train club, called Modelspoorgroep Nienoord. The miniature world has been built in HO scale and has an area of more than 100 m². The HO scale layout depicts the Dutch landscape as well as the massive mountains of Switzerland and Austria. When the trains drive from the Netherlands to the Alps on this layout, they have to cross Germany. Therefore, the large main station, called “Wilhelmstad”, is located in the centre of the model railroad layout. In this cab ride video, we use Pilentum’s DJI Osmo Pocket camera installed inside the locomotive and discover the different landscapes, towns and villages that lie next to the railway lines.

Video #463#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGt8wZmTyqE

Not model trains, but model cars: Firefighters in action! Miniature camera inside the fire truck

Once again Pilentum Television presents a new video from the series “Not model trains, but model cars”. Although we are on a model railroad layout in HO scale, we do not pay attention to the trains. We watch the vehicles and discover a fire department operation. Of course, we follow the fire truck which is equipped with a miniature camera. To reach the burning house, the fire truck has to drive through the city and later on a long country road. In this cab ride video, we watch the whole miniature world from the truck driver’s view. Pilentum Television shot this video footage with the help of members of the “Nienoord Model Railroader Club” in the Netherlands. The DJI Osmo Pocket camera, mounted on the vehicle chassis of a Faller Car (Product no. 161475), was used for filming.

Video #462#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCYwfVgAlRM

Model railroading in France: HO scale model train layout by Alexandre Forquet

This French model railway layout has been built by Alexandre Forquet. Alexandre is 28 years old and he loves model railroading since he was a child. His grandfather passed on his passion for model trains to him. Two years ago, he started building this model railroad layout in HO scale in a separate room of his flat. Anyone familiar with rail traffic in France knows that trains usually run on the left side. But Alexandre was inspired by railways of eastern France, namely in the province of Alsace, where trains run on the right side. Thus Alexandre’s French trains run on the right track. The model train layout consists of an area of 4 x 3 meters and includes a terminus (currently under construction), a depot for steam locos and diesel locomotives and a station set in a small village. Lack of time, money and space mean that Alexandre is still busy in constructing his layout. But fortunately he has already finished large parts of the rail network, so we can see a lot of French trains. Alexandre regularly reports on his construction progress on his Instagram pages and he also operates the YouTube channel, called “Le Train d’Alex”.

Video #461#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzZZUr4jgjs

Rail Transport Modeling: Cab Ride with Märklin Model Trains on Model Railways in HO Scale

Enjoy a model train cab ride as an engine driver on a very large model railway layout built on Märklin rails. While using Pilentum’s train camera, we travel through a German model landscape. From the locomotive’s view, we see many other trains, for example freight trains, passenger trains and high-speed trains. The layout has been built as a so-called dog bone layout made for a very long circuit.

Video #460#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oot6DESqL20

The Great Model Railroad Museum in Switzerland - Chemins de fer du Kaeserberg

This miniature world has been built on three levels in HO scale. There are more than two kilometers of model railroad tracks used by nearly 120 model trains, which consist of 300 locomotives and 1650 railroad cars. The rolling stock contains freight trains, cargo trains, passenger trains and, of course, bullet trains. The extraordinarily detailed landscapes are populated by 6500 miniature figures. The rail network including Swiss, German, Italian and French trains, as well as the amazing landscape of the idyllic and typical Switzerland, reflect reality as closely as possible. The “Chemins de fer du Kaeserberg” (Kaeserberg Model Railroad Museum) is a unique place to visit in Switzerland.

Video #459#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJqeaDM-DB0

Model trains in action on HO scale layout modules

In this rail transport modeling video made by Pilentum, we discover a large and fully operating model railroad layout consisting of many modules in HO scale. Over the last two decades, the members of a German model railroader club have constructed one of the largest, transportable modular layouts, on which mainly model trains of the German and Austrian railroads run. Trains run in two-rail or three-rail operation as required and are operated by Digital Command Control. A total of 168 individual modules are currently available, whereby these layout modules can be individually configured to form a large setup in 1/87 scale (H0). The modules, portable sections of table type structures, are built specifically for use interfacing with others in a large setup. All are built to a set of standards that allow each unit to interface exactly with other units anywhere in the overall system which result in a maximum track length of over 1,200 meters.

Video #458#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRTRq6_MPIE

Model trains in action - One of the finest layouts of Switzerland in HO scale

In this model railway video, we can enjoy a superb narrow gauge layout as well as great locos and trains of the former “Furka Oberalp Railway” in Switzerland, which today operates as the “Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn”. The landscape was built by Willi Rutz, who presented his layout at many European exhibitions. Core of this miniature world are BEMO model trains, which are built exactly for the reproduction of metre-gauge railways, i.e. narrow gauge railroads with track gauge of 1,000 mm.

Video #457#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zol4qSKYliU

Model Railway Cab Ride in a very large Miniature World of Märklin Model Trains

This model railway layout is more than 20 years old and has a total length of 50 meters arranged over three modules. The model railway was built with Märklin tracks in HO scale. The width of the modules varies between 1.20 meters and 2.20 meters. The cab ride presents different landscapes and model trains in Germany. The focus is on railway traffic with many tunnels and stations. Enjoy this rail transport modeling video from the engine driver’s view and discover this beautiful miniature world.

Video #456#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26S7jASTnhA

No model trains, but model cars: Automated vehicle system by Faller or DC Car

The audience of Pilentum Television loves watching trains operating on a model railway, but sometimes it is nice to see a bit more happening on the model railway layout to add realism, for example, the everyday movement of vehicles on roads. Basically, there are two systems competing on the market: One is the famous Faller Car System, which is based on a control system with ultrasonic sensors in its latest version, and the other is the DC Car System, which is based on a control system with infrared sensors. In this video we see a layout constructed with the DC Car System, which by the way is compatible with N scale (N gauge), HO scale (H0 gauge) and OO scale (00 gauge). To make this video even more entertaining, Pilentum Television dubbed the voices of the visitors and the disturbing background noises with real engine sounds. Those car systems are working roadway systems that look great and they are easy to operate. These systems use a metal contact wire embedded underneath the road as a guide for the battery powered vehicles. This wire is flexible enough to be used on straights, curves and hills. Accordingly, the vehicles are fitted with a motorised chassis and rechargeable battery which pushes the vehicle forwards via a small motor and gear arrangement, following the guide wire. Therefore, the front axle is fitted with a guide stem and magnet that follows the guide wire. Finally, the vehicle then drives around the streets of the railway layout following the wire through junctions, roundabouts, carriageways and any other traffic arrangement. In the meantime, there are lots vehicles to add to a road way including cars, tractors, lorries and buses. In addition to vehicles, there are lots of accessory modules to create life on the roads, for example, bus stops, traffic lights, etc. Especially, the bus stop module allows a bus to pull in off the main roadway, park, wait and pull away again without you having to press any buttons. Also the various traffic lights can be installed on the main roadway, so that vehicles will stop automatically if the traffic lights are showing red. Once it changes to green the vehicles will start up and drive off again. This level of automation always looks impressive on any model railway layout. Using the Faller Car System, magnet offset to one side on the chassis is what activates the various additional modules. Using the DC Car System, small infrared LEDs hidden on the layout activate those various traffic modules. The most important component is the wire. This metal wire can be installed in one of two ways. The first way is using the special groove cutting tool available from Faller. This tool allows cutting the perfect depth groove to insert the wire into the layout’s baseboard. The wire can be glued down and then be covered over with filler to hide the wire from view. The alternative is not cutting a groove, but using laser-cut lengths of roadway. These ready-made plates are available as straights, curves, bus stop sections, etc. The plates already have the groove cut in them for the wire to be inserted. The plates are road sections that allow the construction of individual traffic routes, but you still have to lay and cover over the wire. In the very simplest form, the vehicles drive on the hidden guide wire. Computer control is then not necessary at all. But as soon as junctions or special traffic situations are to be constructed, points must be installed into the layout’s baseboard, which are activated via reed contacts and magnetic switches.

Video #455#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvwDhrTcchI

Masterpiece of Rail Transport Modeling: An East German Model Railway Layout in HO scale

Sometimes it is astonishing in the rail transport modeling scene which model railway layouts are built by which people. For example, we would usually assume that Italians build an Italian model railway (» plastico ferroviario «), that Frenchmen design a French model railroad (» maquette ferroviaire «) and that Dutchmen construct a Dutch miniature world (» modelspoorbaan «). However, sometimes people start a very unusual project - like in this video. The model railway layout in this video is reminiscent of the railway traffic of the Deutsche Reichsbahn in East Germany. This East German themed layout is called “Rossnitz Railway Station” and was not built by a German model railway enthusiast, but by a Dutch model builder - namely by Dennis van Wijk from the Netherlands. The idea to create an East German miniature world came from a report in a Germany journal for model railways. In 2015, this magazine presented an HO scale layout whose track plan seemed very attractive for building a small and detailed miniature railway on an area of about 4.5 x 0.7 meters. In contrast to the layout in the report, Dennis van Wijk moved the scenery to a landscape in Saxony, East Germany. Furthermore, he chose a railway period in the mid-1980’s, when train traffic in East Germany was mostly handled by diesel locomotives of the Deutsche Reichsbahn. The layout is based on a track plan that reminds of a simple circle with “Rossnitz Railway Station” at its center. The railway station has three tracks with platforms and two end tracks with a buffer stop. In addition, there is a loading track for goods trains along the harbour wall where, among other things, the chemical factory of Rossnitz is located, so that the transfer of goods and merchandise from ship to train is possible. Behind the railway station and behind the backdrop of houses a fiddle yard with eight tracks is located where model trains are parking. Trains are controlled digitally and almost all locomotives are equipped with a sound decoder to add more reality to the whole scenery. Close to the railway station, there is a small locomotive depot for diesel locomotives where maintenance is done. There is also a refuelling station where heavy diesel locomotives can be refuelled. Dennis van Wijk has been building the layout for more than five years. In Pilentum’s opinion, he has created a work of art in railway modelling and a masterpiece of model railroading because the railway signals exactly match the period and the houses and platforms are weathered - as was typical for the infrastructure in East Germany. Dennis van Wijk is always working on adding details. For example, an extension of the locomotive shed and the chemical factory is still to come. The construction progress is documented on Instagram and on the Beneluxspoor Internet Website.

Video #454#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXqhcXiOJAk

Model Railroad Cab Ride in a Wonderful Miniature World of Märklin Model Trains in HO Scale

One special feature of Pilentum Television’s rail transport modeling videos are cab ride films. From the engine driver’s view, a model railroad layout looks like a real world. Also, we always realize with this camera angle how beautiful the hobby model railroading is. Therefore, we discover a very large Märklin HO scale miniature world. We see two large railroad stations, we encounter many oncoming model trains and we have a journey through a helix of tracks inside a tunnel.

Video #453#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_N1x8Y2dJf8

One of the greatest model railways of Belgium: Gauge one layout of Leuvense Spooreen Vrienden

In 2010, the “Leuvense Spooreen Vrienden” (Group of Gauge One Railway Enthusiast in Leuven, Belgium) got the idea to build a 1/32 scale modular model railway layout including German landscapes, locomotives and trains. They have constructed an impressive model railroad layout consisting of two parts of 6.30 meters. The first section is inspired by an industrial environment with a locomotive workshop in the town of Lingen, Germany. Furthermore, this section consists of a depot with a coal installation, an inspection pit, a sand tower, a signal box and a workshop for two locomotives. In the background, there are some buildings of the local industry. The second section is based on a fictive railway scene near the small town Gefrees, Germany. This rural section is dominated by a beautiful truss bridge and a second level on which a German Class V 36 diesel locomotive commutes. While we see the two-track main line in the foreground, a branch line runs in the background. The branching track is equipped with overhead wiring (catenary) and a heavy “Crocodile Locomotive” is running back and forth with a shuttle-train module made by ESU. Finally, the “Leuvense Spooreen Vrienden” called the model train layout simply “From Lingen to Gefrees”. On the layout, we see the finest scale models in gauge 1, for example powerful steam locomotives in freight traffic and roaring diesel engines for passenger transport. In recent years, this layout was presented at all model railway exhibitions in Belgium and at all important model railroad exhibits across Europe.

Video #452#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-UsFnKJgOs

The Magic of Weathering Model Trains with Colors of Acrylicos Vallejo

This video depicts the impressive effects of colors made by Acrylicos Vallejo in the field of weathering of model trains and scale models. The German manufactory “Stellwerk-Ost” has weathered some freight wagons, goods wagons and steam locomotives with Acrylicos Vallejo’s Weathering Effect Colors. Anyone who is active in railway modelling or model railroading and wants to weather rolling stock should try the Vallejo’s product № 71187 as well as Vallejo’s product № 773099 (Weathering System Set for Steam Locomotives). The results are absolutely fascinating.

Video #451#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7S_PCXzb7Zc

Great Landscape Modelling on British South Hams Model Railway Layout in OO Gauge

The OO gauge layout named “South Hams Model Railway” is an example of small model railways that impresses with its highly precise landscape modelling. The emphasis of the layout is on the beautiful South Hams countryside with Dartmoor in the background. Many of the stone bridges, barns and stone walls have been built with individual stones for enhanced realism. The stations are scratch built using card and balsa wood. Unfortunately, the railway modeller has only a limited number of locomotives. Therefore, we mainly see a goods train (freight train) pulled by an LNER steam locomotive. At the end of the video, the famous train set of the “Flying Scotsman” appears. South Hams Model Railway is a series of OO gauge layouts. The first layout is loft based in a 224 cm x 160 cm space. Several smaller diorama layouts have been created since then, the latest being a 200 cm x 61 cm end-to-end project. Further work will be undertaken on the models alongside new, separate railway projects and dioramas. Two new dioramas are currently in the process of being built - please see the social media channels below for progress updates.

Video #450#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CI1weFJZN34

Model Trains and Faller Cars - Enjoy Steam Locos and Diesel Locomotives - HO Scale Layout

This rail transport modeling video is dedicated to those who just want to see a lot of model trains running on a superb model railway layout. Apart from steam engines and diesel locomotives, there are also those beloved miniature vehicles, known as the Faller Car System. We are going to discover the model railroad layout that was built by Marek Zavadil from the Czech Republic. Marek is a great enthusiast of DB (German Federal Railway), ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) and SBB Swiss Federal Railways. Therefore, train sets of these railroad companies mainly operate on his German-themed layout. The digitally controlled HO scale layout is 5.0 meters x 1.8 meters in size. Approximately 90 meters of track and rails and 28 switches or points are in use. Trains have to climb an enormous gradient in this miniature world: Model trains start from a fiddle yard below the landscape. Then trains run from a level of 0.0 meters through tunnels and over bridges up to a level of 0.6 meters during a travel time of five minutes. Marek is very proud of his Faller Car System. So far he has only a few cars because the roads and streets are still under construction. But it is a great pleasure already to see these small trucks, delivery vans and buses. The entire model railway layout is to be expanded even further. Marek is in the process of building a complete overhead line, also known as catenary. There will be light signals and lots of accessories in the future.

Video #449#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJn8yom7ouA

The most precise model railway layout in the world - Cab ride in the Kaeserberg rail museum

The history of railways, steam engines and electric locomotives in Switzerland offer endless possibilities for rail transport modelling. Therefore model railroading or railway modelling is a popular hobby in Switzerland. Of course, there are also magnificent model train exhibitions. Probably one of the most precise model railway layouts in the world is located in the Kaeserberg rail museum in Switzerland. Inside this Swiss miniature world, there are two kilometres of tracks in HO scale (1/87 scale) on three levels and more than 120 model train sets. The railway structure is built with the highest precision, for example the extraordinarily detailed catenary or the superbly weathered tracks, etc. Discover the “Chemins de fer du Kaeserberg” while watching this cab ride video.

Video #448#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3EBDFQYptE

British Model Railway Layout Drum Hill with Hornby Steam Locos and Dapol Diesel Engines in OO Gauge

Drum Hill is a British OO gauge model railway layout which was constructed by Simon Maull. The rolling stock is mainly from Hornby, Bachman, Dapol and Heljan. The layout is not set in any particular era. Simon runs both steam and diesel engines but mainly steam. The miniature world consists of two mainline tracks and an upper branch line. Pilentum Television became aware of Simon’s model railway layout because he tends to buy old, tired or broken wagons and fixes them up by replacing parts and by painting them up in a livery of his choice. This makes the rolling stock unique and it is not, what you see on other layouts. The buildings on the layout are mainly scratch built. Simon uses medium-density fibreboard (MDF) to make the frame, then he covers the frame in plasticard and uses strip styrene for making the windows and other details. Around 95 percent of all buildings are scratch built in this way. Simon says that he may not the best at scratch building but it is one part of the railway modelling hobby he really enjoys. One of the concepts of Drum Hill is to have interchangeable scenes and dioramas. This enables to change the scenic view as Simon wishes. At present, there is only one fully complete scene and one that is 90 percent complete. As the model railway layout is set in no era in particular Simon includes anything he likes so you will see bits, coaches and locos from across many years, for example a mix of locomotives once made by Hornby, Bachman, Dapol and Heljan.

Video #447#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ed5C-C9t1Js

Steam Locomotive Wheelslip - Model Railroading and Railway Modelling and Rail Transport Modeling

Locomotive wheelslip on a model train layout: The greatest effort is required from a steam locomotive when starting. At this time, if the engineer applies too much power to the wheels the turning force applied to the wheel will greatly exceed the friction force affected by the surface of the rail and the wheel will turn. In reality, this effect often occurs with a heavier freight train. This phenomenon can be seen very rarely on a model railway layout. But in this video, Pilentum Television and Gottfried Reither, who constructed this layout in HO scale, have captured this fascinating moment when the power of a locomotive vastly exceeds its weight, which causes the violent spinning of the wheels through loss of traction. In contrast to steam locomotives, modern diesel locomotives and electric locomotives are fitted with electronic wheelspin detectors which automatically reduce the power supplied to the wheels if wheelspin is detected.

Video #446#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFU-8cppN_U

British railway modelling and excellently weathered trains on Farkham’s model railroad layout

Many of you may have seen the Farkham model railway layout at various exhibitions, however, we take another look to British railway modelling in this video. This miniature world is based on British Rail around 1990 and 1991. In the quiet midlands town of Farkham, life goes on as normal. Its small station is served by occasional passenger services with freight being the main traffic on this secondary line. Beyond the station, the land opens out to reveal a small freight yard. The layout finally combines a main line, through station and small yard. Dave Roome, Alex Hall and Paul Spencer of Mickleover Model Railway Group built this layout and they decided it was going to be a fictitious location as they felt modelling an actual location would have restricted the choice of rolling stock on the layout too much. Farkham’s track is handbuilt to 16.5 mm gauge, using individual component concrete sleepers, rail fixings and code 75 rail for the main line, along with points made from the same rail and copper coated paxolin sleepers. C&L code 75 flexitrack has been used in the yard along with hand built points made in the same way as on the main line. The three model makers decided to use this method for the track to make the track look closer to the correct gauge, even though it is still OO gauge. Operation of the layout is extraordinary by the fact the main line goes into single track shortly after the station, but this opens the possibility to hold model trains on the layout. It is a worthwhile manoeuvre for spectators. One of the more unusual aspects of the layout is the number of structures and trees that are located at the front. By placing these items at the front of the layout, the spectator’s view was divided into three sections: As the trains pass through these sections, the viewer will see the trains appear, disappear and then reappear in another section. This helps to make the layout appear longer than it actually is and hides the unrealistically short train lengths. In addition, by creating these sections, the observers’ field of vision is restricted and their attention is then drawn to smaller details set within each section. As we know, buildings are the key to success of a model railway layout. Therefore a variety of kit and scratch built structures were used. The station building is a Townstreet Models plaster kit, while the terraced houses are Metcalfe Models cardboard kits which have been subtly weathered and detailed with new chimney pots, gutters, copings and rainwater downpipes. Even the large blue warehouse was scratch built. It is a simple plastic shell which was overlaid with Evergreen corrugated styrene sheet to resemble modern warehouse cladding. What makes this warehouse even more striking is the degree of weathering that has been applied to it. After the base colour was painted, multiple layers of darker paint were applied, before rubbing back with cotton buds moistened with paint thinners to create a varied weathered pattern. All these modelling tricks help to bring the scene to life. By the way, regarding the vehicles, it must be mentioned, that road vehicles are not easy to source as manufacturers have tended to supply mostly either pre-1960s or current day examples. Using Taylor Precision Models, Corgi, EFE and Cararama for the bulk of the small vehicles, along with Knightwing for the lorries and forklifts trucks, Dave Roome, Alex Hall and Paul Spencer have managed to put enough vehicles on the layout without making it appear cluttered. But the main actors in this miniature world are, of course, the British diesel locomotives. Regarding the rolling stock, we have to know that it is generally based on the period from 1990 to 1991. Therefore, the train formations and liveries cover the sectorisation period when postal, provincial, intercity and railfreight liveries were commonly seen running side by side, along with the occasional corporate blue examples. The bulk of the stock is made up of freight trains, such as steel, coal, cement, speedlink and petroleum trains, all of which contain a mixture of scratch, kit built, modified and weathered wagons. The stock is coupled using Smiths instanter type three link couplings and all the locomotives are fully detailed with buffer beams adorned with pipework and screw couplings.

Video #445#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siI7B4XVBw0

N Scale Model Train Layout - German Steam Locomotives and Diesel Engines

This N scale model railroad layout was built as a modular layout by a German model trains club and is based on the German Federal Railroad and its era III. There are well-known diesel locomotives and steam locomotives; even a Wittfeld accumulator railcar appears in this video.

Video #444#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Epj3s_bopE

Model railroad layout of Swiss Railways in the Canton of the Grisons - Narrow gauge HO model trains

Often many model railway layouts or model railroad layouts are miniature worlds, which are based on the famous Swiss railroad company Rhaetian Railway. This is absolutely natural, because in Switzerland the railroad enjoys a very high status. Therefore in model railroading or railway modelling, it is not surprising that famous railroad lines of cantons in Switzerland are depicted. One of these superb layouts has been created by Niek Talsma from the Netherlands. He calls his layout “Canton of the Grisons Railway”, a narrow-gauge layout based on BEMO model trains that presents the mountain landscape of the Swiss canton of the Grisons. To reflect this miniature world as realistically as possible, all locomotives run at a speed appropriate to the scale and, of course, with pantographs resting against the catenary wires. In addition, entry and exit signals and signs are installed, which conform to the original Swiss rail traffic regulations. Apart from the train sets, including the famous “Swiss Crocodile” locomotive, many typical details of Switzerland are integrated on this model railway layout, such as the mountain landscape with great bridges, yellow post buses, mountains and much more. On the model railroad layout both passenger trains and freight trains run on single-track lines, which have been captured by Pilentum in various camera angles in this video.

Video #443#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdT0JSs6mXY

PIKO model railway layout worth seeing - Modellvasút HO scale by Csaba Kovács from Hungary

Certainly one of the most interesting private model railways in Hungary has been built by Csaba Kovács in HO scale. Because Pilentum wants to present not only the largest and most beautiful model train layouts, but also the unknown and extraordinary ones, in this video we are going to discover this PIKO model railroad layout. The extraordinary and remarkable thing about this model railroad layout is the fact that Csaba Kovács, who is known to live in Hungary, has constructed an East German model railway layout that presents the rail traffic in the former German Democratic Republic (GDR). This model train layout has a size of more than ten square meters and consists of nine modules. The miniature trains are controlled electrically and are regulated via 45 individual relays. There is no computer and no DCC protocol. PIKO rails are used as track work. On the East German themed layout, there is railway station, a locomotive depot (engine shed), a tank farm of MINOL, the state-owned gasoline and lubricant reseller of the German Democratic Republic. In addition, many East German and East European car models can be seen in this miniature world. All those scale models are custom-painted cars, buses and trucks. Csaba Kovács has been working on this layout for 14 years, but construction is still ongoing. By the way, in Hungary, modellers refer to model railways as “Modellvasút” or model railroads as “Vasútmodellezés”. However, enjoy this model train video and discover the many lovely details, this unique landscaping and a lot of electric locomotives running with pantographs.

Video #442#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kf2CEn5sYaA

Steam Locomotives at speed in Gauge 1 - 1/32 Scale (Model Railways)

A compilation of steam locomotives, steam trains and steam engines in Gauge 1 (1/32 Scale model railways) by Pilentum Television.

Video #441#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9UzdS0Zz6Y

Ferromodelismo! One of the most magnificent model railways of Spain: Tren dels Llacs by Jordi Auque

In Spain there are some railways and railroads that can be a very good inspiration for railway modelling and model railroading. In Catalonia, for example, there is a particularly beautiful heritage railway service branded “Tren dels Llacs”. It is the railway line from Lleida to La Pobla de Segur that was opened in February 1924. It is a single track going through the middle of lakes and mountain ranges, and entering over 41 tunnels and 31 bridges. Capturing the beauty of this landscape and its trains used by the Spanish railway company RENFE was the challenge for Catalan model artist Jordi Auqué. The result is a HO scale model railway layout that is about 25 meters long and has been presented at many model train exhibitions in Europe. This miniature world depicts some of the most spectacular railway sections, across mountains and along lakes. The locomotives, coaches and trains on this layout are made by Electrotren, Ibertren and Mabar. Landscaping was done by using products of Redutex.

Video #440#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N32SsWVlCAs

Model Railway Layout with Italian High Speed Trains (Treni in Transito: Plastico HO Trenitalia)

This video presents a model railway tour of an Italian modular model train layout including railroad operations with high-speed trains (“Frecciarossa”) and electric locomotives hauling very long passenger and freight trains. This HO scale layout - Italians say “plastico ferroviario” - was built by the club “Gruppo Fermodellistico Tartaruga” in Rome, Italy. In the first part of the video, we are at the railway station in “Arsia”. Standing on the platform we see departing and arriving trains of the Italian railroad company named “Trenitalia”. In the second part, some modules are presented, for example a hydroelectric power station, bridges, small stations such as “Cimone”, and a camping site. The focus, however, is always on the passing trains which are called “treni” or “trenini” by the Italian model railroaders. In the third part we are in the surroundings of the railroad station in “Giari Marittima”. This is a large station including six main tracks and some side tracks. There is a lot of railway traffic, almost every 20 seconds trains are rushing through the station. Finally, night falls and the last video images taken in “Giari Marittima” show us how beautifully the platforms and trains are illuminated. This video was realised by “Pilentum’s Upload Service”, cf. https://www.pilentum-television.com/en/video-upload.htm. Railway modellers or model railroaders who want to present their model railway layout on Pilentum Television can submit self-made video recordings. Pilentum will take care of editing, dubbing and publishing a great video presentation in high quality. Of course, all these services are free of charge.

Video #439#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xx3wEi_dA_Q

Still one of the most realistic British model railway layouts: Knaresborough - The Worlds End

This British model railway layout is based on the North Yorkshire market town of Knaresborough, its railway station and surrounding area. The modern image 4mm/ft scale model railway layout has been constructed by Pete Goss. The layout has only a simple branch line theme with trains running through the station on a twin track continuous circuit run. Also featured is the large stone built and ornate viaduct over the River Nidd which is around 5 feet long. The layout was set in the time period around 2005 to 2015, so the rolling stock includes the modern day colourfully liveried DMU’s and several long special model trains. Modelling this miniature world was for Pete an exciting journey into authentic model building construction that produced an array of architecturally interesting buildings taken from High Street and Market Place in the town centre together with parts of Finkle Street, Kirkgate, Waterside, Riverside and Water Bag Bank. The name “Worlds End” refers to the pub that features at the front of this layout. Knaresborough’s railway station and town scene were already the subject of a video by Pilentum Television. However, this version is digitally remastered with authentic rail sounds and Pilentum’s unique musical melodies.

Video #438#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMWKm-g5V3w

Steam Locomotives’ Paradise: Model Railway Micro Layout from Austria (Relaxing Railroad Video)

This model railway micro layout, presenting a lot of steam locomotives and diesel trains used by the Austrian Federal Railways, has been constructed by Gottfried Reither, a railway modeller from Austria. At the moment it is still a micro layout in HO scale because Gottfried does not have enough space in his hobby basement to install a larger model railroad layout. Therefore, the layout consists of only one railway line. The layout is divided into four segments with a width of 70 cm and lengths between 150 cm and 120 cm. At both ends of the layout, track helixes connect the staging yard or fiddle yard which is located exactly below the landscape. Gottfried is a train enthusiast and he loves to watch his model trains. He does not need a large central station. He also does not need to simulate shunting operations. His layout depicts a mountain railroad line in the Austrian region Gesaeuse (“Gesaeusestrecke”) as it was used in the 1960's and 1970's. On this Austrian mountain railway line, which is characterized by ascents and descents, it was usual for locomotives to run in multiple unit train control, i.e. in push-pull operating mode. Heavy freight trains and also passenger trains are hauled by a bank engine (“banker”), banking engine, helper engine (“helper”) or pusher locomotive coupled at the front or at the end of the train. Both in reality and in the model landscape, trains have to overcome an extreme gradient. Banker or helper locomotives have to climb a height difference of 45 cm in this HO scale layout. This also corresponds to Gottfried’s philosophy of his superb model railway layout, in other words to watch Austrian steam trains and diesel trains of era III. To make the scene as realistic as possible, all locomotives were equipped with a sound decoder from ESU and sound files from LeoSoundLab. The layout’s structure was made of Styrodur. The landscape, the meadows and grasses are made of products from the manufacturer “Mini Natur”. The trees and bushes are made of products from various manufacturers or simply hand-made. For the tracks the product “Mein Gleis” from manufacturer Weinert Modellbau was used. In other places, for example in the invisible fiddle yard, “Roco Line” rails are installed. Following Gottfried’s philosophy we filmed the weathered trains and locomotives from different angles. The video should enable the viewer to enjoy the railway traffic on this mountain line. These railroad operations may seem boring, but they are authentic.

Video #437#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P36xxdnngmk

Model railroad layout of the old railway station Scherpenheuvel - Zichem in Belgium

For many railway modellers, copying reality is the great charm of their hobby. They do model railroading for nostalgic reasons or out of historical awareness. These are the reasons why this beautiful model railway layout was built by the Belgian “Modelspoorclub De Kempen”. The HO scale layout depicts the old railway station of Scherpenheuvel-Zichem, a city located in the province of Flemish Brabant in Belgium. In 1894, a single-track line, connecting the station of Zichem with the pilgrimage site Scherpenheuvel, was opened. This railway line, called “Spoorlijn 30”, was 4 kilometres long and was the shortest railway line for passenger traffic in Belgium. In May 1957, passenger traffic was discontinued. Goods traffic remained possible until March 1972. The last train was running in 1972. Finally, the tracks were demolished in 1974. The model railroad layout works with a simple digital control for model train traffic. The railway terminus allows simple operations. In the video, we see a NMBS / SNCB type 53 steam locomotive and the famous NMBS / SNCB Belgian Railways Class 59 diesel locomotive. In 1953, the NMBS / SNCB ordered 55 of these diesel locomotives. In the mid-1960s, they were given a green livery with yellow stripes. The locomotive features dual-ended operation with end-of-train red marker lights. However, the focus of this video is on the beautiful landscape.

Video #436#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwYVuS8hNMM

One of the most amazing Märklin model railway layouts in Denmark: Kælderkøbing Modeljernbane

The history of railways in Denmark, its train operating company “Danske Statsbaner” (Danish State Railways) and the characteristic design of Danish diesel-electric locomotives, for example class MY built by NOHAB (Nydqvist & Holm AB), offer great possibilities for rail transport modelling. Because Märklin has copied many of the Danish steam and diesel locomotives in scale 1/87, Jens Krogsgaard - a Danish model maker - started building his fantastic HO scale layout which is called “Kælderkøbing Modeltogbane”. By the way, the Danish word “modeltogbane” or “modeljernbane” means model railway in British English or model railroad in American English. The model railway layout of Kælderkøbing is a traditional Märklin layout built in the period from 2009 until today. Märklin layouts can be recognized immediately by the three-rail system or by the third rail on the tracks. The track plan of Kælderkøbing was inspired by the superb model railway layout “Modellbahn Altburg” built by Uwe Braun in Germany. The Kælderkøbing layout is 8 square meters in size and consists of a double track main line that ends at each end in a fiddle yard. From the main railway station, there is a single track branch line that ends up in the mountains in the fictive village of Bjergkøbing. The whole layout is controlled by the PC program “WinDigipet” so that seven model trains can run simultaneously on the main line and two model trains on the branch line. The model railroad layout of Kælderkøbing reflects the same problems of all model railroading hobbyists: Too many trains and too little space. Therefore, Jens constructed a vertical staging elevator. Inside this model train elevator are seven tracks, each 1.4 meters long. It is a great idea for parking model trains. In the spotlight of this miniature world is the large central station. There are six tracks and platforms for passengers. Due to the digital control we can discover a lot of railway traffic at the main station. Furthermore, we can watch not only Danish trains, but also many German trains. A highlight is the elevator on the platform. This platform elevator was made by Faller but it has been rebuilt so that it can be also controlled by “WinDigipet”. Next to the elevator is the next special feature: A digital arrival sign (miniature display) showing in real time the trains arriving at Kælderkøbing’s railway station. Real time data is sent to the display when a train is heading towards the main station. On the model railway layout there is also a railway depot with engine shed and turntable. Sometimes the engine shed is used for housing Danish steam locomotives, but usually Danish diesel locomotives are housed, repaired and maintained in this depot. In the video we can observe a steam locomotive which takes on water using a water crane. After watering the steam locomotive drives onto the turntable while another steam locomotive is put into service. By the way, you can recognize Danish steam locomotives by the fact that they have a colored marking on the chimney. The chimney, smokestack or stack is marked with the Danish national colors white and red. Furthermore we can discover a cable car made by Brawa, a Rolling Stones concert or buildings and streets in the city of Kælderkøbing. At the end of the branch line is a rural area including mointains. Below the railway bridge is a small lake where the Danish inhabitants of this miniature world enjoy sailing and fishing. But there is also a tragic fate that we can discover on the model railway layout of Kælderkøbing: The railway employee (flagman, signalman or gateman), called “Leif”, has to work 24 hours a day at the level crossing (railroad crossing). He never has a break and he cannot go on vacation. There are no holidays for Leif: Whenever a train enters the block in front of the level crossing, Leif receives a message from “WinDigipet” that he must close the boom barriers. When a train leaves the block after the railroad crossing, Leif of course has to open the barriers again.

Video #435#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFkAbVbq_aM

One of the most beautiful British model railway micro layouts of British Railways (GWR) in OO scale

The history of railways in the United Kingdom and British steam locomotives offer endless possibilities for rail transport modelling. An example of how this can be realised is the micro model railway layout presented in this video. We are in the fictional town of Langley. The year is 1949, and the economy slowly recovers after World War II, which also benefits the railway. Langley railway station is located on the branch line of Great Western Railway (GWR) which recently was nationalised and became part of British Railways. The railway serves the small industrial area of the town. The main customer of the railway is the gas works, which is regularly supplied with coal. There is also a platform for passenger transport and a half-hourly service in each direction for the factory workers. Furthermore, there is also a track to the port which is connected to the British canal system. In addition to coke, different goods are transhipped onto the typical narrow canal boats. This 00 gauge layout - 1/76 scale - was designed as a shunting layout by the German railway modeller Heinz-Ulrich Grumpe. The visible area consists of two sections measuring 80 cm x 40 cm. Peco Code 75 tracks and switches were installed on the layout. Although the switches are set by motorised drives, the layout is operated analogue. The rolling stock is of course British models from various manufacturers such as Bachmann, Dapol or Hornby. The passenger coaches were equipped with passengers and the locomotives with driver and heater. In some open freight wagons, coal loads were imitated. The factory building dominating the left part of the layout was partly made from Auhagen and different industrial kits. The original models of the residential buildings behind the railway station are in fact from the Netherlands and were made by Kibri. Typically British, however, are the milkman, the red telephone box or the pedestrian bridge on the right-hand side of the station. This bridge is a British kit produced by Superquick Models and made of cardboard. Of course, British road signs, billboards and warning signs were also installed on the layout. The boat is a kit of a typical English canal boat made by Langley Models. Finally, a great variety of self-painted figurines enliven the small layout to life.

Video #434#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgA24K6Fsys

Paper Toys: Paper and card models of trams and tramways in scale 1:240 (Papercraft and Pepakura)

This city diorama, paper model, scale model or card model was built by Dieter Jannasch from Dresden, Germany. In 1948, at the age of 16, he started building this diorama or papercraft from sheets of heavy paper, paperboard and card stock. Some of these approximately 100 buildings were constructed on models of different cities, other buildings were made without any concrete reference to a particular city. Furthermore, Dieter Jannasch built about 250 tram models in scale 1/240 for his superb city model. These model tramways were also made of cardboard modeling papers. Of course, these streetcars, street railways or trolleys have no motor drive. Pilentum spotted this diorama, which is called “City Model Burgheim”, during a special exhibition in the Transport Museum Dresden, Germany.

Video #433#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-_T7TuZVC8

Scale Model of a Metro Station with Underground, Subway and Rapid Transit Trains in HO Scale

This video is meant to be a reminiscence of Pilentum’s home town Frankfurt am Main, Germany. We see a diorama, scale model or replica of the metro station “Hauptwache”, which is located in the center of Frankfurt am Main in reality. There are four platforms and four train tracks, the two outer tracks are used by the subway - also known as underground, heavy rail, metro, metropolitan or U-Bahn, while the inner tracks are used by the rapid transit - also known as urban-suburban rail or S-Bahn. The layout was built in 1/87 scale, i.e. H0 gauge or HO scale, by the German model railway club called “Modellbahnfreunde Riederwald”. The rolling stock of the Frankfurt public transport in miniature was made in a limited special edition.

Video #432#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VESfq1nlCM

Camera Dolly for Model Railways and Model Railroads by Jens Krogsgaard

Jens Krogsgaard is a model railroader and model railway designer from Denmark. Inspired by the cab ride videos that are often seen at Pilentum Television, Jens decided to construct his own camera dolly. He uses the old “Polaroid Cube Camera” for video recording. Since this camera is no longer manufactured, Pilentum Television recommends the use of the new “RunCam 5 Orange Camera”. Both the old “Polaroid Camera” and the new “RunCam Camera” are cube cameras, which are characterized by very small dimensions in width, height and length. Jens’ camera dolly not only records photos and videos, but it can also be panned while driving. Therefore, Jens designed a Blynk application for iOS and Android Smartphones and Tablet PC. This is the easiest way to build own mobile applications that work with the hardware installed on the camera dolly. Jens has written a detailed construction manual in English, which explains all the individual construction steps, see PDF document on Pilentum’s website. His camera dolly is an absolutely ingenious invention, which is suitable for model railroad layouts in HO scale and model railways layouts in N gauge.

Video #431#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=can3s_Iw6gA

Miniatur Wunderland - Layout Tour - The World's Largest Exhibition of Model Trains (Miniature World)

Miniature Wonderland is a model railway exhibition consisting of nearly 16,000 meters of train tracks and representing many places around the world. The Miniature Wonderland has been built with an eye for detail, humor and fantasy. It has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in Germany.

Video #430#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOb3X_v_8XE

Using the DJI OSMO Pocket Camera for Making Videos of Model Railway and Model Railroad Layouts

In this video, Pilentum Television would like to introduce the “DJI OSMO Pocket Camera”, a camera for making breath-taking video recordings in the field of model railroading or railway modelling. We are going to discover some possibilities, how this camera can be used to film model trains. As you can see, the “Osmo Pocket” has a three-axis stabilized gimbal that ensures your video footage is smooth and appears professional even when you are operating without the help of a tripod. Furthermore, this tiny handheld camera uses a 1/2.3 inch sensor and shoots video in 4K with 60 frames per seconds. The camera seems to have been built for rail transport modeling. We will have a look at the closest focusing distance of the camera lens. It is also known as the minimum focus distance. In the whole video, the camera is placed on a freight car and it is pulled by a locomotive. The “Osmo Pocket” lets us create awesome shots: On the one hand, the camera head is only one centimeter above the tracks. Pilentum Television has never been able to shoot such video recordings before. On the other hand, the whole video footage is perfectly stabilized. The camera works in HO scale and even in N scale. In the scene with the steam locomotive, the camera is installed only a few millimeters above the railroad tracks. It is a real worm’s eye view. Most people shoot model railroad layouts from a bird’s eye view. But this is unnatural in relation to the scale. Now, we can capture trains from the worm’s eye view. Please note: In this video, we are inside a miniature world in HO scale. Of course, we can realize beautiful cab ride videos. Although no additional light was available during the shooting there is a brilliant video quality even in low-light situations. If you pay attention to the various camera positions, you can understand that you could never have installed a big television camera or a photo camera, such as a “Panasonic Lumix GH5”, at these positions on a model railroad layout or model railway layout. The small size of the “Osmo Pocket” is a big advantage! However, the most important feature of this camera is that the video image is absolutely stabilized; especially when driving over the railroad switches the camera does not wobble at all. Pilentum Television has to admit that the “Osmo Pocket Camera” offers many other possibilities. Pilentum bought the camera only three weeks ago. Therefore, Pilentum has still have to play and to learn how to use this great handheld camera. By the way, the manual of the “Osmo Pocket” is badly written. You just have to do tests and you just have to play with that camera to understand its great functions.

Video #429#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIgW1PJCQJ4

Modelbaan in België: Ivo Schrapen’s detailed replica of Hasselt railway station in HO Scale

Rail transport modeling, model railroading and railway modelling are very popular leisure activities in Belgium. Therefore, it is not surprising that we often can discover some of the finest model railway layouts or model railroad layouts built by Belgian model makers and model building artists. One of these superb layouts is Ivo Schrapen’s detailed scale model of Hasselt railway station in HO scale. After more than 100 visits to the railway station of Hasselt in Belgium and after taking more than 1,000 photos, Ivo Schrapen started with the construction of his miniature world in 2003. His layout depicts the station, the tracks, the trains and the railway operations at Hasselt railway station as they were in 2002. The track field in front of the station has been reconstructed true to scale: In reality, the dimensions are 1.6 kilometres and the diorama has a length of 16 meters. The model railroad is a modular layout, the station part consists of eleven segments, each module is specific but each segment fits without screws on the next one. At the back, behind the scenes, there is a large marshalling yard (fiddle yard) consisting of seven tracks for parking the model trains and model locomotives. All tracks can be driven in both directions. This complexity can only be achieved with a fully automated digital approach. So the whole layout is equipped with DCC interfaces, decoders and networks.

Video #428#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=535uyfF5Js8

Narrow Gauge Model Railway Layout and Electric Locomotives in Switzerland

Today we are going to enjoy some Swiss rail transport modeling. One of the most beautiful narrow-gauge model railway layouts is located inside the model railroad museum, called “Chemins de fer du Kaeserberg”, in Switzerland. In this Swiss miniature world, the “Rhaetian Railway” has received its own extensive 1/87 scale model layout. Model trains run every minute around the “Kaeserberg” railway station. Mostly electric locomotives of class Ge 6/6, which are also known as the “Rhaetian Crocodile”, or electric locomotives of class Ge 4/4 are in use for passenger and freight services. Near the locomotive depot, there are also a steam-powered snow blower and electric locomotives of class Ge 2/2, once used by the “Bernina Railway Line”. Generally, the rolling stock has been weathered carefully, and miniature trains are using the catenary (overhead line). For the “Kaeserberg Railway Line” railcars of class ABe 4/4 which were once used by the famous “Bernina Railway Line” and railcars of class ABDe 4/4 once used by the “Arosa Railway Line” were painted in yellow color. In reality, there are only still two yellow painted nostalgic railcars in service on Switzerland’s narrow-gauge railroad network. When you are enthusiastic about model railroading and railway modelling, then you should visit the superb exhibition “Chemins de fer du Kaeserberg”, located in the city of Fribourg in Switzerland.

Video #427#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uK5nCmO1BLc

Railroad and Railway Operations in HO Scale: Cab Ride entering the Locomotive Depot or Engine Shed

In this cab ride video you are the train driver. We are located on a large model railway layout and our diesel locomotive slowly drives over rails and switches into the locomotive depot. The engine shed, known as “running sheds”, “motive power depot” or “railway depot”, is located on the opposite side of the model railroad layout. At the marshalling yard, our locomotive has to run at slow speed, because before entering the depot, a transfer table or traverser has to be passed. While entering the locomotive shed we see how railway employees repair and maintain another locomotive. Enjoy these rail operations in miniature!

Video #426#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HRZnVvwxkc

Model Railway Layout in Sweden with Steam Locomotives and RC Cars (Modelljärnväg Sverige)

This superb model railway layout was built by Rickard Arvius who lives outside Skövde in western Sweden. The Swedish word “modelljärnväg” means model railroading or railway modelling in English. Rickard’s miniature world has been built in HO scale (1/87) with Märklin C Tracks, and allows to run both analog and digital model locomotives. The track is built like a dogbone layout so that the model trains can run around without stopping. Rickard’s dogbone layout is a double track loop-to-loop layout located in a part of a garage, which is about seven square meters in size. Rickard wanted to concentrate more on the landscape than on the rail network. Therefore, the layout is fictional; Rickard was inspired by the rural environment where he lives with the classic Swedish wooden houses painted in red with white windows. By the way, the catenary is not connected. Rickard has decided to install catenary pillars for a more realistic look, but there are no plans to install overhead lines at the moment. Therefore the locomotives’ pantographs are down to avoid hitting the pillars. Perhaps a contact wire will be installed in the future. Rickard’s favorite model train is the Märklin model no. 2870. This scale model was built between 1988 and 1990. This historic Swedish train is made of real wood and was pulled by a wooden-bodied class D locomotive of Swedish State Railways (“Statens Järnvägar”). Once the locomotive was manufactured between 1925 and 1933; later Swedish State Railways built the locomotive with a riveted steel body. Those electric locomotives were used for both passenger and freight trains until they were taken out of service in 1988. German steam locomotive Märklin 39393: ▶ https://ebay.to/2VJ7n2n Swedish electric wooden train set Märklin 2870: ▶ https://ebay.to/3irxdSB Swedish steam train set Märklin 28703: ▶ https://ebay.to/2ZBt2ei Besides the trains, there are other things moving in Rickard’s miniature world: Two remote-controlled model cars. A Carson VW bus and a Wiking garbage truck. So the model railway layout, the landscape and the environment become even more realistic. Of course, the disadvantage of RC cars is that it is difficult to operate both cars and trains at the same time. But in contrast to the Faller Car System, one advantage is that you do not have to install a magnet wire in the roads afterwards.

Video #425#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKknUo-Wpcg

Modelismo Ferroviario Chile: Garden Railway Layout Tour - Steam Locomotive and Diesel Trains Galore

The Spanish word “modelismo ferroviario” means model railroading or railway modelling in English. In this video, we visit once again the great garden railway or garden railroad layout built by Jaime Ruz Sandoval in Chile, South America. We enjoy a layout tour and operating session with a lot of Märklin model trains in 1/32 scale, also known as 1 gauge or gauge one. Not to be confused with G scale by LGB. Near Requínoa, a town near the city of Rancagua in central Chile, Jaime Ruz has built this model railway layout in a section of his garden. The model railroad layout is characterized by a dog bone configuration of 45 meters length. It is a double-track railway. In total, there are 112 meters of rails by Peco. Along the rails and near the central station, there are very realistic looking buildings. These buildings are handmade by Jaime Ruz. Twice a year the members of the Chilean Maerklin model railway association meet at Jaime’s garden railway. Each member brings their own rolling stock, for example, steam trains and steam locomotives or diesel trains and diesel locomotives. Although no overhead line or catenary exists on the layout, there are also several electric locomotives like the Swiss “Crocodile” locomotive, known as a steeplecab design in railroad terminology.

Video #424#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7b6hqhCGNJ4

Superb Model Railway Layout of Switzerland: Model Trains of the famous Glacier Express

This model railway layout was designed by the German model train club, called “MEC Wuppertal”. Originally, the layout was constructed on an area of five square meters as a modular system based on the narrow-gauge railways of the famous Rhaetian Railway. The model railway layout depicts the landscape of the Albula Valley in Switzerland. This is where the locomotives and trains of the Rhaetian Railway and the famous Glacier Express run. The addition of bridges, viaducts and tunnels increased the area of the layout up to ten square meters.

Video #423#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tfEbfG0TqM

Nearly Realistic Scale Model Building and Scratch Modelling (Rail Transport Modeling) by Jaime Ruz

How to build realistic scale models, houses and buildings is an art. Model making, scale model building or scratch modelling is not only a hobby, but also an artistic craft. The results are small works of art. One of these highly talented model builders is Jaime Ruz, who creates awesome, wonderful and superb scale models in 1/32 scale. Pilentum Television was so fascinated by Jaime’s scale model buildings that we created this video.

Video #422#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPrY2cmdKHc

Modélisme ferroviaire en France: Model railway layout HO - Club des Trains Miniatures de l’Omois

The French term “modélisme ferroviaire” means rail transport modeling, model railroading or railway modelling in the English language. A model railway society well known in France is the “Club des Trains Miniatures de l’Omois” (TMO), which has built a modular model railroad layout in HO scale. In total, there are 26 modules. The whole layout is 12.5 meters long and 7.1 meters wide. This French miniature world depicts a period from 1960 to 1970. That is why we see the famous “Micheline” railcar, some historical steam locomotives and older diesel locomotives on the HO layout. All buildings, for example, the railway stations of Chesneaux, Bézu-Saint-Germain (Bézuet) and Coincy are made of 2 mm thick cardboard. The roofs are made of brushed aluminium foil. All these houses and buildings actually exist in France. The vegetation has been reproduced with products by “Woodland Scenics” and this vegetation gives a realistic aspect to the model railway layout. For the railway tracks products from “Peco” are used. Experience a short holiday in France while watching Pilentum’s video.

Video #421#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sS8fu6XSaAs

HO Scale Santa Fe Layout - Steam Locomotives and EMD F7 Diesel Electric Locomotives - Model Railroad

This beautiful HO scale model railroad layout, including steam and diesel locomotives, depicts the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway (“AT&SF” or “ATSF”), which was one of the larger railroads in the United States forming a transcontinental rail route. AT&SF was known for its passenger trains, notably the Chicago-Los Angeles “El Capitan” and “Super Chief”. Also the “Pacific Fruit Express” was certainly well known in the field of freight rail transport. The Santa Fe Railway was once a pioneer in freight transport and operated a large and varying fleet of steam locomotives in the beginnings, for example, the 2-10-2 Santa Fe type, 4-4-2 Atlantic type, 2-6-0 Mogul type, 2-8-0 Consolidation type, 2-8-2 Mikado type, 2-10-0 Decapod type, 2-6-2 Prairie type, 4-8-4 Northern type, 4-6-4 Hudson type, 4-6-2 Pacific type, 4-8-2 Mountain type, 2-8-4 Berkshire type and 2-10-4 Texas type. Santa Fe also operated a fleet of heavy articulated steam locomotives, for example, class 2-6-6-2, class 2-8-8-0, class 2-10-10-2, class 2-8-8-2 and the rare 4-4-6-2 Mallet type. Due to the lack of abundant water sources for steam trains in the American desert, the Santa Fe Railway was among the first railroads to receive large numbers of streamlined diesel locomotives for use in freight service, in the form of the EMD FT. For the first EMD FT locomotives the railroad selected a color scheme consisting of dark blue accented by a pale yellow stripe up the nose and pale yellow highlights around the cab and along the mesh and framing of openings in the sides of the engine compartment. Finally, the era of steam locomotives is long gone in reality. Santa Fe retired its last steam locomotive in 1959. In 1995/1996 Santa Fe merged with the Burlington Northern Railroad to form the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway (“BNSF”). That is why we see both steam locomotives and diesel locomotives on this model railroad layout that was built by the Dutch railfan Gerrit Schoenmaker. During his visits to the United States, Gerrit was inspired by the landscape and by the trains. Therefore, he started building this impressive American model railway layout in HO scale after his retirement. The steam model locomotives are 2197 ATSF 3800 Class 2-10-2 by Broadway Limited Imports (BLI). The AT&SF GP-7 Diesel Engine is from MTH Electric Trains (M.T.H.) and the EMD F7 diesel electric locomotive is the Athearn 3203 Santa Fe no. 228C.

Video #420#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5brH5vQLrc

Ferromodelismo en Chile: Garden Railway or Garden Railroad and Märklin Model Trains of Jaime Ruz

The Spanish phrase “ferromodelismo” means rail transport modeling in English. So in this video, we are going to take a look to South America! Model trains are available in large and small scales. One of the smallest scales is the 1/220 scale, also known as Z scale. One of the largest scales is 1/32, also known as 1 gauge, gauge 1 or gauge one. Although 1 gauge trains use the same track standard as modern G scale, in this video we will not see locomotives and wagons from LGB, but the fantastic rolling stock made by Märklin. However, the best platform for those large model railways is certainly a garden railway or a garden railroad. There are beautiful garden railways not only in Europe, but also in Chile, for example, Jaime Ruz’s garden railroad. Jaime lives in Requínoa, a town near the city of Rancagua in central Chile. He built the model railway layout in a section of his garden and it has a dog bone configuration of 45 meters length. There is a sector of the station in the center with four tracks. In total, there are 112 meters of track by Peco. Twice a year, Jaime invites his friends from the Marklin model railroading group in his garden. The friends of the railway modelling group bring their locomotives and trains and they have a spectacular day! This video presents some cab rides and special camera angles on Jaime’s model railroad layout. There will be another video with Jaime’s handmade buildings on Pilentum Television. Jaime is an ophthalmic surgeon and a railway enthusiast. So he has focused on scratch building of absolutely realistic looking houses in 1/32 scale. In his free time, Jaime manages a page on Instagram; there are wonderful pictures! Jaime Ruz on Instagram: ▶ https://www.instagram.com/ruzsandoval

Video #419#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTx_XWPC8qU

Treni in Transito: Modular Model Railway from Italy (Gruppo Fermodellistico Tartaruga)

Building model railway layouts and scale modelling are an international hobby. So even in Rome, Italy, there is a model train club, called “Gruppo Fermodellistico Tartaruga”, whose members are constructing a large modular model railway in HO scale. The Italian model railroaders build their modular layout according to the FIMF standard (“Federazione Italiana Modellismo Ferroviario”); this standard is comparable to the FREMO standard in Europe or to the North American Free-mo standard. On the model railroad modules, there are two main lines and one branch line. The landscape, the buildings and the whole infrastructure have been constructed according to the Italian style of railway modelling. The main line consists of a double-tracked railway line with traffic on the left side as it is usual in Italy. On some modules there is a catenary. However, the catenary is optional and not functional. Steam locomotives, diesel locomotives and modern high-speed trains run on the tracks. For the power supply the “Gruppo Fermodellistico Tartaruga” uses the two-rail direct current system.

Video #418#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuBPtCt0Gwg

Steam Locomotive and Trains on a Model Railway Layout in HO Scale

This video is about model railroading and railway modelling with German steam trains and German steam locomotives in HO scale or H0 gauge. There are passenger trains and freight trains, sometimes even steam locomotives at speed in double traction.

Video #417#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Th9Dl38sh-k

N Scale Modular Model Railway and Model Trains 【鉄道模型】【Nゲージ】

Many people in the Netherlands love trains and do model railroading or railway modelling. Dutch railway enthusiasts meet in clubs and build modular model railway layouts, mainly in H0 scale, but very often also in N scale due to lack of space. So do the modelers and model builders from “Modelspoorclub Malbak Blaricum” in this video.

Video #416#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5d8siMKhMk

Treinen en modeltreinen in Nederland: Rail Transport Modeling and Model Trains in N Scale

HO scale is the most popular model railway scale in the world. There is a vast selection of model trains, locomotives, rolling stock and scenic items. In the United Kingdom, OO gauge is the most popular modelling scale; it is the most common British standard for model trains. However, for several decades, N scale conquers the world of miniature railways, especially in Japan, but also in Europe and America. A popular way to build a large model railroad layout is to use modules. So many clubs build modules, which are sections of layouts that can be joined together to form a larger layout. In this video, Pilentum presents a superb model railroad layout in N scale built by the Dutch “Delftse Modelbouwvereniging”, a club for model railroading in the Netherlands. The club is working on its Dutch modular railway which is controlled with the program “Koploper” and equipped with hardware party of “Dinamo”. Therefore, analog and digital model trains can run on the same track automatically. The Dutch model railroading club is proud of the many scenes from daily life on its N scale miniature world. There are nice details to discover, for example, a construction site, a marshalling yard or classification yard, cars, ships, figures and Dutch houses. The rich decorations of these Dutch houses were made from parts of construction kits, which are sold by the manufacturers Faller, Viessmann, Vollmer and Kibri. The construction kits for original German houses have been simply painted in Dutch colors. American houses made by the manufacturer Walters are also very useful for making Dutch buildings.

Video #415#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEshcaWxrXY

Steam Locomotive (Cab Ride) and Model Trains in Action on Wimborne Railway Society’s Layout

A model railway or model railroad should contain at least one steam locomotive. Therefore Pilentum has made this model train layout tour showing a mix of cab ride and operating session. This model railway layout is based on the little known narrow gauge “Tarrant Valley Railway” in Dorset, United Kingdom, which ran for about eight miles serving the local villages, chalk pits and airfield, opening during 1860. The Tarrant Valley is located near Blandford from an interchange with the Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway at Spetisbury, Great Britain. The layout depicts the railway line as it was during the 1920’s. The Wimborne Railway Society has built this modular layout in 4 mm scale (OO-9 Narrow Gauge), which has been displayed and continuously expanded over the past 20 years. As written before, this model railway is modelled in “00-9”, which means it is to the same scale as OO, but runs on 9 mm gauge track - the same as N scale. So the members of the Wimborne Railway Society can use N scale mechanisms to power locomotives. Locomotives, respectively steam locomotives and steam trains, are a mix of kit and scratch built using Graham Farish or Minitrains chassis, with rolling stock consisting of Bachmann and Peco products. Buildings are scratch built, modified plastic kits or laser cut plastic. The model railroad scenery and the landscape consist of polystyrene bases contoured with Polyfilla and Woodland Scenics scatter material forming the countryside of the rural Tarrant Valley. At the Warley National Model Railway Exhibition 2019 the Wimborne Railway Society won the “Prize of the Best Narrow Gauge Layout” with the Tarrant Valley Railway. In case you want to know, the cab ride video footage was made by using the little cube camera “RunCam 5”.

Video #414#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_xHh8NG840

Model trains in action on a TT scale model railway layout with diesel and steam locomotives

Pilentum often sees a model railway or a model railroad in TT scale. Although HO scale and N scale are the most popular scales for model railroading, the market for railway modelling in TT scale is growing. Once it was only a scale for model trains in East Germany and Eastern Europe, but now the 1/120 scale is becoming more and more popular for rail transport modeling. So it was not surprising when Pilentum visited a model railway exhibition in Germany that he saw a beautiful designed model railway layout with steam locomotives and diesel locos in TT scale. The model railroad is constructed as a modular layout consisting of many units. A module is a portable section of table type structure which is but one part of a large group of like tables which when all assembled together form a large and fully operating model railroad. All modules are built to a set of standards that allow each unit to interface exactly with other units anywhere in the overall system. By being portable, they may be disassembled for transporting to conventions, exhibits or public displays. The layout was built by a German railway club. Because many members of this railroad club live in the former border region between West Germany and East Germany, they have rebuilt - among other things - a GDR border station and a part of the old German border with watchtowers, fences and tanks. The harmony between foreground and background is sensational. Furthermore, the layout consists of a railway depot with engine shed and turntable for steam locomotives.

Video #413#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mhq6i2t4f98

Model Trains in action on Tony Koester ’s amazing Nickel Plate Road model railway layout in HO Scale

A great model railway or model railroad is Tony Koester’s amazing model train layout of the New York, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad Company (“Nickel Plate Road”). The original rail network was constructed in 1881 and operated in the United States of America. The famous Nickel Plate Road served a large area, including rail networks in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri. In the last century, the Nickel Plate Road was enlarged by merging with other railway companies. Such a large rail network, which covered more than 7,000 miles (11,000 km) of tracks and served 14 states and the Canadian province of Ontario, offers endless ideas for planning and building a model railway layout in HO scale. In the field of rail transport modeling, Tony Koester is a widely known Nickel Plate Road historian and model railroader. So Tony authentically created the “Third Sub-Division” of the St. Louis Division (Clover Leaf District) of the Nickel Plate Road Railroad. What makes Tony’s layout stand out even more is that it is as much of an artistic masterpiece as it is an operational and functional recreation of railroading history. The yardmaster, for example, uses realistic road rules for all his operations. Please note, this video footage was made by Forrest Nace. Forrest is a professional model railroad videographer and photographer from the United States and he provided Pilentum Television with some exquisite video footage. Forrest made a documentary of 2 hours and 40 minutes about Tony Koester’s Nickel Plate Road that includes complete operation of the entire model railroad, interviews, how to segments, panoramic overviews, layout staging, and crew duties during an operating session, which is available at https://www.nacesvideography.com. In this YouTube video we see some short video sequences from his documentary.

Video #412#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lqENQJVLjs

Trains Galore - Kereta api - Treni - Vlaky - Trens - 列車 - Поезда - Pociągi - 기차 - Tåg - Trenler

Just a compilation of model trains in HO scale (model railroading and railway modelling). Trains (modélisme ferroviaire). Treni e trenini (modellismo ferroviario). Vlaky (modelová železnice). Tog eller modeltog (modeljernbane). Rongid (raudteemudelism). Trenes (modelismo ferroviario). Trens (ferromodelismo). 기차 (철도모형). Vonatok (vasútmodellezés vagy modellvasút). Treinen (modelspoor). 列車 (鉄道模型). Trenuri (modelism feroviar). Поезда (Железнодорожный моделизм). Pociągi (modelarstwo kolejowe). Vlaky (železničné modelárstvo). Junat (pienoisrautatie). Tåg (modelljärnväg). Trenler (model trenciler). Потяги (Залізничний моделізм). 火車 (鐵道模型). Kereta api (model pengangkutan landasan). Tàu hỏa (đường sắt). รถไฟ (ทางรถไฟจำลอง). Влакове (Железопътен моделизъм). Vozovi. Vlakovi. Vilcieni. Traukiniai. ट्रेन. Vlaki.

Video #411#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQ3k6Tg99zM

Treni in Transito: Rail Transport Modeling and Railway Modelling in Italia - The Superb Model Railroad Layout by Carlo Viganò

How to build a small model railroad layout in HO scale? It should be a magnificent landscape, two main lines including fiddle yards, but all based only on approximately four square meters in size. Carlo Viganò, a model railroader living in the Italian town of Germignaga on Lake Maggiore, has solved those model railroading questions with his dreamlike layout, which is called “Plastico Ferroviario Vallecasanuova”. When Carlo was three years old, his father gave him the first train set and since then he has been fascinated by the passion for model trains and railroads. As a child Carlo and his father built a model railroad layout on a standard plate. Later, they built a garden railroad based on LGB models in G scale. During these years, however, Carlo was influenced by Josef Brandl, an artist and rail modeler from Germany. So he decided to imitate the artworks of Brandl: He wanted to use the last available space in his cellar for building a model railroad layout where nature, landscape and trains should dominate. Carlo’s layout consists of two levels, i.e. of two track networks. There is a double track main line for international traffic, which is mainly used by Italian passenger trains. There is also a single track line for freight traffic. Finally, there is a branch line for local transport, where the famous Italian diesel railcar “FS Class ALn 668” is still in service. All trains move on an area of just 3.5 x 1.5 meters. Furthermore, each railroad line has fiddle yard at the back of the layout, where a total of eleven complete model trains are parked. The trains travel through a valley crowned by a medieval castle belonging to the lords of “Casanouva”. Around the castle there are woods and a vineyard. There are also 152 trees that reproduce the typical landscape of Lake Maggiore. There are only a few buildings; only a hut, a small house at the railroad embankment and the castle. Italian locomotives and trains of the “Ferrovie dello Stato”, known as “Trenitalia”, are in the center of attention as well as tunnels, portals and retaining walls.

Video #410#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpRqtI47gmQ

Military Model Trains, Torpedo Boats and Tanks: The Second World War Dockside Diorama “Operation Abyss” by James Styles

James Styles is a railway enthusiast living in United Kingdom. Four years ago, his vision was to produce a model railway layout and fiddle yard on a board that is 96.0 inches long by 14.5 inches wide. He then wanted to produce something a little different from the normal micro layouts. While sitting watching a D-Day special on TV it hit him: The idea was born to produce a World War II themed harbour and a military-themed dockside. He knew immediately, his Second World War dockside diorama, which is called “Operation Abyss”, will neither be a railway layout to please the rivet counters nor was it intended to be a true interpretation or historically accurate to what happened. However, the beginning was to buy a torpedo boat made by Airfix. James framed his entire wartime diorama around this torpedo boat. He added soldiers chatting, standing on guard and even repairing an armoured vehicle. James even has used several of his old model trains including his first-ever locomotive, a Hornby “Smokey Joe” steam locomotive. This locomotive is 25 years old and he stripped the steam loco, cleaned it and repainted it in War Department livery. He then changed the wheels and fitted it with a carefully programmed DCC decoder. At the Warley National Model Railway Exhibition James presented his military diorama, so that Pilentum has made this video using the camera “RunCam 5” for making the cab ride video footage.

Video #409#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utPYy7cfYks

The Great Model Railway Challenge: Railmen of Kent and the London St Pancras and King’s Cross railway station layout are Winners 2019 on Channel 5

The Great Model Railway Challenge is a British TV series broadcasted on Channel 5. It is a contest as railway modellers compete to create miniature masterpieces against the clock. Teams of model railway builders from across the country taking part to produce fantastic layouts based on a variety of themes. In 2019, the TV series returns to Channel 5 after becoming a surprise hit last year. With the focus being on the detail and the skills of creating a railway model layout, the teams must demonstrate their attention to detail in order to impress the judges in a bid to make it all the way to the final. In the end, the overall winner is to be shown at the Warley National Model Railway Exhibition. In 2019, the “Railmen of Kent” took home the coveted winner’s trophy. Railmen of Kent had a sequence of heroic layout builds during the TV series. All these layouts combined consistently good running quality with scenic innovation and well thought out operation to really engage the viewer. In the video, Pilentum presents the layout of the Festival of Britain gardens framed by Kings Cross and St Pancras railway station. St Pancras railway station, also known as “London St Pancras” and officially as “St Pancras International”, is a central London railway terminus. It is the terminus for Eurostar continental services from London via high speed trains and the Channel Tunnel to Belgium, France and the Netherlands. It stands between the British Library, the Regent’s Canal and King’s Cross railway station, with which it shares a London Underground station. The station’s opening was on 1 October 1868. It has been widely praised for its architecture and is now a Grade I listed building along with the rest of the station. Adjacent to St Pancras railway station is London King’s Cross railway station, also known as “London King’s Cross”, a passenger railway terminus on the edge of Central London. It is one of the busiest stations in the United Kingdom. The station was opened in 1852; it quickly grew and was expanded several times and it became a major terminus for the high-speed Intercity railway lines. London King’s Cross railway station became well known for its association with the Harry Potter books and films, particularly the fictional “Platform 9¾”. Of course, the model railway layout is not perfect, but you have to consider, it was built against the clock. However, “Railmen of Kent” is now called Britain’s best model railway builders. They are rail enthusiasts, railway modellers, winners of the Great Model Railway Challenge 2019 and Fred Garner is the team captain. Fred was joined on the show by sons James, Nicholas and John as well as his brother-in-law Chris Busbridge and great-uncle Nik Wilson. Railway modelling is a hobby most often associated with “geeks” and “nerds”, but - as you know - there’s more to model railways than you might imagine. So Fred says: “It’s an incredibly creative hobby and practised by a lot of people who aren’t just ‘geeks’ or ‘nerds’. It brings in engineering, electronics, technology, landscaping and drawing skills. It’s about creating something which stirs the emotions. A model railway can be whatever you want it to be – just use your imagination”.

Video #408#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2bRD-IfnkQ

Trams and Tramways: Maredval Model Railway Layout in the Ardennes (Buurtspoorweg Trambaan en Modelspoor)

Railway enthusiasts from Belgium really love their trams and tramways because an extensive network of local trams was built all over Belgium in the 19th century and 20th century. In the beginning, most of them were steam trams and diesel tramways. These old trams, which are called “Buurttrams” or “Buurtspoorwegen”, had the task of connecting the many small villages in the rural region of Belgium. They were narrow-gauge railways that went from one village to another village. Because these trams are so famous, there are also many model railway layouts and scale models. One famous layout, which is called “Maredval”, was built by Tom de Decker. His tram layout depicts the rail transport as it was in the 1950’s in the Ardennes. Then, the transport of goods was provided by small two-axle motor cars. By the way, the local tram network in Belgium was operated from 1885 onwards by the National Company of Local Railways, better known as “Nationale Maatschappij van Buurtspoorwegen” (NMVB) in the Flemish Region (Flanders) or “Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Vicinaux” (SNCV) in the Walloon Region (Wallonia).

Video #407#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ypU3Y0XWNs

JVC GY-HC 550 4K Camera Test and Review: Video Footage of Model Railways and Model Railroads

This video is not a traditional report about model railways, model railroads and model trains. It is a test or review of the new camera JVC GY-HC 550, which is presented at the “Consumer Electronics Show” (CES 2020) in Las Vegas. The JVC Company has provided Pilentum Television with a pre-series model of the JVC GY-HC 550 camera to make test video footage. Pilentum Television wants to learn how the workflow is in 4K Ultra High Definition video mode with that hand held camcorder for broadcasting and professional video productions. Finally, it is important to check the image quality on YouTube - despite the extreme video compression for online videos. The JVC GY-HC 550 camera features a 1 inch CMOS image sensor for uncompromised cinema and video production. The JVC GY-HC 550, also the smaller JVC GY-HC 500 camera, is equipped with a wide-angle 20x optical zoom lens, including triple large rings for zoom, focus and iris. There are plenty of media options including SD-HC, SD-XC and SDD. Unfortunately, recording on M2 SSD memory cards in ProRes 4:2:2 (10-bit) at 50 fps or at 60 fps was not yet technically possible with that pre-series model. Therefore, Pilentum Television had made video records in 4K with only 29,97 fps. However, Pilentum Television is very grateful to JVC for lending him this great camera.

Video #406#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2OqrMN_r58

Large Private Model Railroad Layout in HO Scale: Cab Ride with German Trains and Locomotives

Since 1986, the German model railroading club “Eisenbahnfreunde Kahlgrund” has been building on a beautiful model railroad layout of a historic mountain and valley railroad line located in Bavaria, Germany. Then, the model railroaders - a nucleus of hobbyists interested in the German railroad history between the steam and diesel power era - started building their layout in HO scale (1/87). Today the layout takes 8.0 x 8.0 meters and consists of over 200 meters of tracks, 72 points/switches and 20 signals as well as a large, double-track helix below the mountain (see, end of Pilentum’s video). Furthermore, the layout has one major freight yard and a passenger station. In addition, there is a large “shadow station”, staging yard or fiddle yard, which is located underneath the layout. Model trains are utilizing an Intellibox DCC control system.

Video #405#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBKuHNXbogE

Golden Spike Modeljernbane Klubben - Freight Trains and Goods Trains Galore - Probably the longest model trains you have ever seen!

Probably, these are the longest model trains you have ever seen! When Pilentum Television has visited an exhibit for U.S. model railroads in Germany, he discovered a very special model railroad layout that has been built by Danish model railroaders. These rail enthusiasts from Denmark are members of the “Golden Spike Modeljernbane Klubben”, located in Copenhagen. Unfortunately, the layout was presented without a background (background picture or background scenery). Therefore, Pilentum concentrated on the special feature of this layout, namely on the rolling stock consisting of extremely long freight trains.

Video #404#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpAQL2UJ-VE

Cab Ride on Leamington & Warwick Model Railway Society’s O Gauge 7 mm Scale Model Trains Layout Kimble

Pilentum Television and the members of the Leamington and Warwick Model Railway Society (L&WMRS) have made a model train cab ride on the very large model railway layout, which is called “Kimble”, because this model railway layout can be viewed from the front only or from the front plus one or both curved ends. The layout is constructed in O Gauge, 7 mm/ft. scale. The modelled location is non-specific, the buildings and structures based on the British Railways’ infrastructure. A double track (continuous loop) main line has a through station and a six track fiddle yard which allows for 12+ model trains to be marshalled at any one time. The focus at exhibitions is running main line trains although loco movements on and off shed are an attractive feature. At the north end (right), is an impressive viaduct, with hills, rocky outcrops, pine trees and a tunnel. At the southern end (left), the town of Kimble is set on a hill. There are some industrial buildings and workers' housing. Below the town there is the through station, set-back siding and a comprehensive motive power depot with roads leading to the loco shed, to the coaling, as well as to the storage and turntable. The majority of locomotives are fitted with sound decoders, and control is by DCC using MERG components. The model railway layout was made by the O Gauge Group of L&WMRS. There are over a dozen members in the Group with a wide range of skill sets from novice to expert but with a common interest in producing a visually accurate and working, fine scale layout. Members are invited to contribute by constructing buildings and scenery, be involved in developing track layout and control. The “Kimble Layout” with its overall measurements of 12.2m x 4.9m (40’ x 16’) has been in production for a number of years and is undergoing a massive change to its electronics. Apart from DCC train control, there are individual hand controllers plugged in at strategic points on the layout allowing lots of members to get involved. Track and signalling is currently operated separately by a ZTC master controller which will be replaced by MERG equipment in due course.

Video #403#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxQfDUFGfs8

Sentimental Journey with Model Trains: The Bristol East Model Railway Club Layout Porth St. John

There are some model railway layouts that contain only very few model trains. But in spite of the few trains, these layouts have been constructed so magically that we don’t miss the train traffic. The miniature world “Porth St. John”, constructed by the Bristol East Model Railway Club in OO gauge or OO scale, belongs to this category. Of course, there are steam locomotives and steam trains, but they seem to blur in the background. In the foreground the landscape dominates. It’s a dreamlike landscape somewhere on the coast of Great Britain. So the model railway layout “Porth St. John” is an imaginary location on the North Cornish coast. It is a beautiful seaside resort with its own railway station. The period modelled by the Bristol East Model Railway Club is between 1923 and 1948. This allows a variety of rolling stock to be seen on the layout which was built in 00 gauge, 4 mm scale. All buildings are scratch built to suit the location. The materials used inside this miniature world being plastic sheets, foam board or wood. The locomotives and rolling stock are a mixture of kit built, scratch built and proprietary model trains some of which have been modified. Although the model railway layout is an imaginary location, the large bridge is based on the one at Bideford over the River Torridge. The water is made of “Artex”, textured with a paintbrush and finished with several coats of clear artists varnish.

Video #402#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lv7brFhN9Cg

Model railroading in Canada: Rail transport modeling at its best! All aboard in TT scale!

Once again we learn that rail transport modeling is an international matter, especially when German model railroaders build a Canadian model railroad layout. Furthermore, the special feature of this model railroad layout is the rare scale, namely TT scale. The German railway enthusiasts Helmut Müller (father) and Michael Gruner (son) have created a beautiful model railroad layout of Canada. Their layout in TT scale focuses on the transcontinental railway traffic between Canada and the USA. The model railroad layout depicts the landscape around the “Connaught Tunnel” of the Canadian Pacific Railway. The stone galleries and wooden bridges, better known as trestle bridges, which are common for rail transport in the Rocky Mountains, were reproduced in great detail. For landscaping small stones and many natural materials from Woodland Scenics were used. The TT layout includes a saw mill, a large steel bridge, a port with ships and an industrial area. There are also locomotives, freight trains and passenger trains, which are wonderfully aged and weathered.

Video #401#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsindLNBzPg

Model Railroading in N Scale: The Rockcliffe Layout by David and John Riddle

British twin brothers David and John Riddle wanted to create a model railroad layout with scenic impact, action and fine detail. They built a compact model train layout in N scale showing a main line station with express trains roaring through the countryside, but also a narrow gauge branch line clattering over waterfalls and through rocky ravines. John is a model builder with a fine eye for detail; he’s the scenic driving force in rail transport modeling with constant creative ideas on landscaping and buildings. John has also perfected the rock surfaces. David designed the layout, built the framework and structure, laid the track, made the control panel and wired the electrics.

Video #400#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_El57wy8_c

Rail Transport Modeling in China: Steam Locomotives and Diesel Trains

While in Europe the last steam locomotives were taken out of service or even scrapped in the 1970's, in China the famous SY and QJ steam locomotives were still in service for many decades. Until the turn of the millennium and even beyond, steam trains were part of regular rail traffic in China. These incredibly powerful steam engines were used for freight transport in all parts of the large Chinese country. Paul Stapelton, a model railroader living in United Kingdom, was inspired by these Chinese steam engines and has built a beautiful model railroad layout in HO scale. The Chinese layout is called “Beijiao”, and is 26 feet x 10 feet, of which the scenic section is 20 feet x 3 feet. In the background you can see industrial steam. Large steam trains arrive from nearby coal mines with loaded coal cars and yet they need to have banking locomotives added in order to tackle the grade up to the steelworks located on the outskirts of the city. Furthermore, a modern China Railways main line runs through the center of the layout. This line is mainly used by diesel trains. In this model railroad layout, the time is set to the year 2004, as more and more steam locomotives were replaced by diesel locomotives in China. But nevertheless we still see a lot of these powerful steam engines.

Video #399#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSH1hTiRHVI

Cranmore Railway Station - Model Train Layout by Eric Mines

Eric Mines has constructed an idyllic as well as superb model railway layout of Cranmore Railway Station in Somerset, England. At the Warley Model Railway Exhibition 2019 he presented his layout that was built in O Gauge (7 mm/ft. scale). Eric’s O scale layout is 18 feet long and 2 feet wide including fiddle yards on both sides. The track is hand built as are the buildings. The station was opened in 1858 to serve the village of Cranmore. Back then, Cranmore was part of the “Cheddar Valley Line” run by the “Great Western Railway” (GWR). Today, Cranmore is the main railway station of the preserved “East Somerset Railway”, a 2.5 mile heritage railway operating the line between Cranmore, Cranmore West, Merryfield Lane Halt and Mendip Vale.

Video #398#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a95Nn49rNBQ

Royal Air Force base Habbaniya in Iraq: Military diorama built in forced perspective by Tony and Kate Bennet

This diorama of the Royal Air Force Station Habbaniya, more commonly known as RAF Habbaniya in Iraq, was built by Tony and Kate Bennet in forced perspective. The model shows the situation during the Second World War. Tony and Kate don’t want to glorify the war, because they decided to build this diorama as a tribute to all those that fought at RAF Habbaniya. Furthermore, they want to raise funds for “Help for Heroes”, the UK Armed Forces & Military Veterans Charity. Although Pilentum Television is not a friend of war toys, this diorama is something special because it is in forced perspective with scales from 1/32 at the front to 1/700 at the back giving a flavour of the airbase, its airfield and its aircrafts. The military diorama features moving trains, vehicles and many other animations and effects. However, producing a model of an airfield is a great challenge as they are so large and this huge space needed to be shown and hence it was built in forced perspective. So figures, vehicles, aircraft and structures has been modelled in diminishing scales create the effect of distance within a small space. At the front is a Rolls Royce armoured car (1/35 scale), a Humber Snipe (1/32 scale) and an Austin K5 lorry (1/35 scale). The first aircraft are an Airspeed Oxford and a Gloster Gladiator (1/48 scale). Towards the rear, for example, the Douglas DC-2 and other models are built in 1/144 scale. The rear of the scene is on a separate board, complete with panoramic backscene. The road vehicles are a similar mix of kits in different media and even include some converted diecast models and whitemetal kits as well as plastic and resin. Also a narrow gauge model railway is used in the diorama. In the foreground it is a 1/43.5 scale locomotive on 16.5 mm gauge track and at the back it is a 1/76 train on 9 mm gauge track. These tracks are controlled by electronic shuttle units so the model trains travel backwards and forwards periodically. The moving cars utilise the “Faller Road System” chassis but have new bodies. Figures with moving arms and the armoured car turret turning are all animated using servos activated by timing circuits and relays. Finally, special attention was paid to the painting and weathering of all of the models. The Royal Air Force Station Habbaniya was renowned for its large size and extensive facilities, including swimming pool, cinema and polo field. Habbaniya continued in use by the RAF until May 1959. It was then taken over and used by the Iraqi Air Force. The base was also called “RAF Garden of Eden” as every third day sluices were opened and the whole of the base irrigated from the Euphrates, and so modelling the vegetation was an essential. The trees and bushes not only are changing with the scale, but there is a rich variety, for example, date palms, eucalyptus trees, oleanders and many flowers.

Video #397#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xg0JqDztIVY

Model railroad layout by Marklin with German locomotives and trains in HO Scale

English (US): Model railroad layout by Marklin with German locomotives and trains in HO Scale. English (GB): Model railway layout by Marklin with German locos and trains in H0 Gauge. Español: Maqueta ferroviaria de Maerklin con locomotoras alemanas y trenes en miniatura en escala H0. Français: Réseau ferroviaire de Maerklin avec des locomotives et trains miniatures allemands à l'échelle H0. Português: Maquete ferroviaria de Maerklin com locomotivas e trens alemães em escala H0. Italiano: Plastico ferroviario di Maerklin con locomotive e treni tedeschi in scala H0. Nederlands: Modelbaan van Maerklin met Duitse locomotiven en modeltreinen op de schaal H0. Polski: Makieta Kolejowa Märklin z lokomotywami i pociągami niemieckimi w skali H0. Русский: Макет железной дороги Мерклина с локомотивами и немецкими поездами в масштабе 1/87. Dansk: Modeljernbane af Marklin med tyske lokomotiver og tog i H0-størrelse. Svenska: Modelljärnväg av Maerklin med tyska lok och tåg i skala H0. Čeština: Modelová železnice Maerklin s německými lokomotivami a vlaky v měřítku H0. Slovenčina: Modelová železnica Maerklin s nemeckými lokomotívami a vlakmi v mierke H0. Bahasa Indonesia: Model kereta api oleh Maerklin dengan lokomotif miniatur dan kereta api Jerman dalam skala 1/87. Suomi: Pienoisrautatie Märklinin H0-mittakaavan saksalaisilla veturilla ja junilla. 日本語： 鉄道模型 メルクリン ・ HOゲージ ・ 列車と機関車（ドイツ）。 Norsk: Modelljernbane av Maerklin med tyske lokomotiver og tog i skala H0. Română: Machetă feroviare la scară H0 de Maerklin cu locomotive, trenulețele electrice și trenuri germane. Magyar: H0 Modellvasút terepasztal Maerklin, német mozdonyok, vasútmodellezés és vonatok. Українська: Макет залізниці з німецькими локомотивами i поїздами в масштабі 1/87. Türkçe: Maket trenler veya minyatür demiryolu tasarım (Märklin): Alman lokomotifleri ve trenler (model trenciler, 1/87 ölçek). 한국어: Märklin의 철도모형 (모형철도, 기차모형, 모형기차): 기차 과 기관차 (HO게이지, 1/87). Tiếng Việt: Mô hình tàu hỏa (Märklin): Mô hình đường sắt và mô hình xe lửa ở Đức. 中国: 铁道模型 马克林。 中華民國: 鐵道模型 馬克林。

Video #396#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wisk5SHfdIc

Model Railway Layout “Weaver Hill” in OO Gauge by Benjamin Brady and Richard Brady

At the Warley Show 2019, there was one model railway layout that attracts a lot of attention. This OO Gauge layout became a so-called “crowd puller” because of the great variety of the model trains and miniature high-speed trains passing by. The layout, built by Benjamin Brady and Richard Brady in 00 Gauge (4 mm/ft. scale), is a simple yet effective idea: Trainspotting! There is no shunting or station stops. The layout, which is simply called “Weaver Hill”, depicts just a section of main line with two fast and two slow railway lines with plenty of rolling stock variety situated somewhere in Britain. The model railway layout is set during the present day and is complete with overhead lineside equipment (OHLE). It is 19 ft. x 9 ft. and it runs with a basic DC system. Finally, the rolling stock is all based on stuff that shall be seen if you went down to a British railway station today. Therefore, the target audience for this model railway layout are people that visit model railway exhibitions, they shall be able to see something that they can relate to in real world. The layout has evolved from a very basic model which was first exhibited in 2016. Since then, there has been a lot of updating and changed made, for example, an updating of the tunnel mouths. So it has been decided that Benjamin Brady and Richard Brady shall also go for a castle style tunnel mouth. The story behind those castle style tunnel mouths was that the railway was built as a double track main line and had been quadrupled sometime late in its history. This shall be reflected in the construction of the new tunnel mouths. Furthermore, the former DAPOL OHLE masts have been replaced with the PECO ones along with their own wire, and a few more figures and animals have been added. The PECO OHLE are produced in collaboration with German catenary specialists “Sommerfeldt” in true 4 mm scale, replicating a common design of the overhead lineside equipment catenary masts as seen around much of the United Kingdom electric railway system. I guess, the layout is really coming along. By the way, on the online community of the British Railway Modelling (BRM) magazine at www.rmweb.co.uk, there is a discussion thread about the “Weaver Hill” layout, written by Benjamin Brady, including many photos and further information.

Video #395#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoqI7_UadlU

Trains in Switzerland: Model Railroad Layout by Modelspoor Vereniging Spoorgroep Zwitserland

Model railroading is an international hobby, especially when Dutch railway enthusiasts build a Swiss model railroad layout. In this model train video, we discover the great HO scale layout that was built by the “Modelspoor Vereniging Spoorgroep Zwitserland”, a rail transport modeling club in the Netherlands. The layout presents the famous “Montreux Oberland Bernois Railway” (abbreviated “MOB”), a railroad line operating in Switzerland, by the way, one of the oldest electric railroads in southwest Switzerland. From the very start, the “MOB” had the character of a main line railroad and introduced luxury trains with dining and saloon coaches. Today, a modern successor of these luxury trains is the “Golden Pass Panoramic Express”, which for the past few years has aroused growing enthusiasm (tourist attraction). The club “Modelspoor Vereniging Spoorgroep Zwitserland” consists of members who live all over the Netherlands. However, all members are united by their passion for the Swiss railways. In the club there are different regional groups, which build different modular layouts of famous railway lines of Switzerland.

Video #394#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN-nYr_bjok

British Railway Modelling at its best: The superb “Abergavenny Brecon Road” 00 Gauge Layout at the Warley Model Railway Show

Richard Cox is a very talented railway modeller from Great Britain. He remembered a long forgotten railway line in South East Wales: He was inspired by little remains of the “Merthyr, Tredegar and Abergavenny Railway”, which operated between 1860 and 1958 between the town of Abergavenny and the town of Merthyr Tydfil. At the Warley Model Railway Show 2019 he presented his superb model railway layout in 00 Gauge (4 mm/ft scale). The first sod of the “Merthyr, Tredegar and Abergavenny Railway” was turned at Abergavenny on 18 June 1860 at the Brecon New Road. The line was one of the most heavily engineered in South Wales. It cut across the grain of the landscape and involved numerous curves, steep gradients, tunnels and viaducts. It branched off the Newport, Abergavenny and Hereford Railway near Abergavenny, crossing the River Usk on a viaduct. Furthermore, the line crossed despoiled treeless moorland. The first section between Abergavenny and Brynmawr was ceremonially opened on 29 September 1862. Public services commenced on 1 October 1862 by the “London and North Western Railway Company”. On 1 March 1864, the railway line was extended from Brynmawr to Nantybwch. The initial passenger service was three trains each way, soon increasing to four. Extra services were added from 1901 so that seven or eight trains ran each way daily. The Abergavenny Brecon Road railway station was located north-west of the centre of Abergavenny. Two platforms were provided. At the east end of the platforms was a loading dock. Brecon Road was also the location of locomotive sheds, a goods shed and yard. The yard had two operational parts: The lower yard was the coal yard, where there were railway barracks used as sleeping accommodation for train crews, and the upper yard with storage and stabling sidings. Traffic was operated using steam locomotives which were housed at three locomotive sheds in Abergavenny, Tredegar and Blaenavon. These three sheds had over 100 steam engines based there. For servicing locomotives at Abergavenny Junction very large facilities were built. The Brecon Road shed was used by the Great Western Railway, notably for banking engines. Especially at Abergavenny Brecon Road 40 locomotives were allocated. The railway line had been expensive to build and was difficult to work efficiently, so it left vulnerable to competition from other modes of traffic. In 1957, faced with the costs of working the line and the future costs associated with its continued maintenance and repairs to the ageing track and infrastructure after a century of use, British Railways announced that it would be withdrawing passenger services. The last public timetabled service ran on Saturday 4 January 1958. The very last train running was from Abergavenny Junction to Merthyr station, hauled by a GWR 5700 pannier tank steam locomotive. Little remains of the former railway line save for a section of track bed in the Clydach Gorge between Brynmawr and Llanfoist has been converted into a long distance cycleway. Stations, sheds and bridges are long gone. However, most parts of the railway line have been obliterated, but some of the features and buildings on this model railway layout still exist today.

Video #393#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O18K7-6kGkc

N Scale Steel Mill or Steelworks Scale Model including Rail Traffic and Industrial Trains

In this video we see the steel mill or steelworks, called “Pennsylvania Steel”, which was built by Heinz-Ulrich Grumpe from Germany in N scale. It is a show layout built in a box, which takes about one meter in width and 30 centimeters in depth. This industrial plant for the manufacture of steel depicts the various elements of an integrated steel mill. There are blast furnaces used for smelting to produce industrial metals and industrial railways. The trains continuously transport raw materials between the individual plant sections. The buildings were modified from different kits, mainly from Pola. The special vehicles were made by Minitrix. Locomotives and other freight cars are made by various US manufacturers. Finally, the background image is still remarkable.

Video #392#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQO0eRKHOHA

Rail Transport Modeling in Ireland: End-to-End Layout of the Irish Model Railroad Society in O Scale (Model Railway Society of Ireland)

The model railroad layout, which is called “Ardmore”, is one beautiful example for rail transport modeling in Ireland. At the great Warley Model Railroading Exhibit 2019 the Model Railroad Society of Ireland presented its O scale layout, which is constructed as an end-to-end layout. It is representative of a typical Irish branch line terminus for an Irish town with facilities for passengers and freight. There is also a locomotive depot and servicing area including a turntable right at the end of the line which was a common feature on rural terminus lines. Pilentum chose this model train layout for filming because of the unique rolling stock: The locomotives, freight cars and passenger cars are mainly converted items, kit built or handmade from metal or from brass. Also the majority of the buildings are handmade from various materials, having been based on Irish prototype buildings. The trains cover a wide period from the 1940’s to the 1970’s. That was the period when many branch lines in Ireland had closed. During the shooting of the video the layout has been operated to a realistic schedule to allow both passenger and freight trains to run in and out of the terminus.

Video #391#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjPL2cz5n-0

Warley National Model Railway Exhibition 2019: Over 70 inspirational Model Railway Layouts

For many years the Warley Model Railway Exhibition is the showcase of the rail transport hobby and it attracts many thousands of visitors. It is the greatest model railway event in the United Kingdom and Europe’s largest single hall modelling event. In 2019, once again there were over 90 working, inspirational model railway layouts and demonstrations of techniques used in the hobby by experts in their field. Pilentum Television has tried to capture a large part of those 90 layouts in this video. Due to the many thousands of visitors, it was not possible to film with a tripod. Therefore, some scenes are a bit blurred. Nevertheless, with a length of over 90 minutes, this video represents what characterizes the Warley Show: All the popular scale and gauge combinations representing British Railways throughout their history, 15 layouts of overseas prototypes and five outstanding layouts from railway enthusiast in Europe. Furthermore there was the winning layout from the recent TV series “The Great Model Railway Challenge” made by Channel 5 Television. Especially this television series shows that rail transport modeling hobby is alive and well. The exhibition was held in Hall 5 of the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham (17,000 square metres of hall space). Although Bachmann Europe, Graham Farish, Peco, Hornby Hobbies and Crecy Publishing are the main sponsors, the Warley Show is known to be the “modeller’s marketplace” in the midst of the modelling season. I hope you find watching this video captivating, interesting and enjoyable and that it inspires you with you railway modelling projects.

Video #390#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkCb-62Dbi8

Model Trains in Canada: Locomotives of Canadian Pacific, CP Rail, SOO and Canadian National Railway

In this video, we are going to discover the rail transport (modeling) in Canada. We see some freight trains or goods trains and diesel-electric road-switcher locomotives near the Connaught Tunnel under the Selkirk Mountains in southeastern British Columbia, Canada. The first train is pulled by a Canadian Pacific Railway locomotive. The Canadian Pacific Railway, also known formerly as CP Rail, is a Canadian Class I railroad incorporated in 1881. After the CP Rail train crossed the beautiful trestle bridge, we see a new train formation including two diesel locomotives double-heading the service. Thereafter we see a double headed freight train entering a railway bridge made of steel. That freight train is pulled by CP Rail and SOO locomotives. The Soo Line Railroad is the primary United States railroad subsidiary of the Canadian Pacific Railway. A little later we discover the same train at a level crossing or railroad crossing. Finally we enjoy another freight train pulled by a Canadian National locomotive. Canadian National is also a Canadian Class I freight railway that serves Canada and the Midwestern and Southern United States. It is Canada’s largest railway, in terms of both revenue and the physical size of its rail network, spanning Canada from the Atlantic coast in Nova Scotia to the Pacific coast in British Columbia across about 20,400 route miles of track. The railway was formerly known as “Canadian National Railways” between 1919 and 1960. Today it is called “Canadian National” only. By the way, in the United States, railroads are designated as Class I, II, or III, according to size criteria first established by the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) in 1911. Since the ICC was abolished in 1996, railroads have been governed by the Surface Transportation Board (STB). Initially, the ICC classed railroads by their annual gross revenue. Since dissolution of the ICC, the STB has become responsible for defining criteria for each railroad class. The bounds are typically redefined every several years to adjust for inflation and other factors. The seven Class I freight railroad companies for U.S. rail freight activity are BNSF Railway Company, Kansas City Southern Railway Company, Union Pacific Railroad Company, Soo Line Railroad Company (Canadian Pacific), CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern Railway Company and Grand Trunk Corporation (Canadian National). Canada has two Class I freight railroads, namely Canadian National and Canadian Pacific. Although Pilentum Television has tried very hard to dub the authentic sounds during the post-production process, the main focus of the video is clearly on the perfectly weathered trains and locomotives.

Video #389#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wL0stkTqC80

Model Train Journey and Cab Ride on a German Model Railway Layout

In this video we are the train driver on a German HO scale model railway layout. Coming out of the tunnel, our train runs downhill on a double-track railway line. In the valley we reach the main railway station, where we see other trains. After passing the station, our train runs through beautiful landscapes and reaches the next tunnel, which leads into a fiddle yard.

Video #388#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q72Dq9FQFwo

On3 Narrow Gauge Model Railroad Layout and Trains of the Diamond and Caldor Railway

This On3 Narrow Gauge Model Railroad Layout was built by Georg Koch from Germany. The modular layout was inspired by scenes of the Diamond and Caldor Railway, which is operated in Diamond Springs in California, USA. The track has been built from scratch with real wooden ties. Also the switches, which are originally made by PECO, have been modified and were installed on wooden ties. Finally, all buildings and bridges are scratch built from wood. The rolling stock is mainly manufactured by Bachmann, some shay locomotives have been weathered and also some coaches have been modified.

Video #387#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCyzdovGW9k

Trucks and Trains: Using the Runcam 5 as cab ride camera on the streets of a model railroad layout

Rail transport modeling at a different glance: In this video, Pilentum Television would like to present you the streets of a model railroad layout from the truck driver’s view. We are going to discover completely new insights of a miniature world in HO scale. Miniature car systems and scale model vehicles, which automatically drive on miniature roads, are a fascinating enrichment for every model train layout. In the simplest case, these mini car systems can even be retrofitted to a model railway layout. Only a magnetic wire has to be installed below the road surface. After all, we need a vehicle. There are ready-to-run vehicles (see “Faller Car”). But you can also use any model car and modify it. There are conversion sets which include a front axle, a steering grinder, a motor, a rechargeable battery and a rear axle with gearbox. Advanced mini car systems are characterized by intelligent traffic monitoring and distance control. In addition, those vehicles can be precisely controlled via DCC. Very popular miniature vehicle systems are the “Faller Car System”, based on analog or on digital control by using ultrasonic sensors, or the “DC Car System”, based on infrared sensors for traffic control. An innovative system that uses two wires and induction coils is the “Dinamo MCC System”. The camera, used in this video, is the new “RunCam 5”, a superb cube camera (dimension: 38 x 38 x 36 mm or 1.49 x 1.49 x 1.42 inches) suitable for rail transport modeling, model railroading and railway modelling.

Video #386#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAZ_gEDNNyk

Long Train Running: Spotting Red Caboose, Atlas, Kato and Athearn Model Trains in N Scale

This model railroad represents the American rail transport near Minneapolis. The N scale layout has been constructed from a railfan’s point of view, offering the visitor a parade of long trains running through simply-detailed industrial scenery. While the landscape seems to be simply detailed, the focus is on perfectly weathered trains. Locomotives and railway carriages are weathered with hand-painted graffiti in an exemplary manner. Stickers and decals with prefabricated graffiti, so-called “standard decals”, are not used. Passenger trains and mostly freight trains make regular appearances, including rolling stock of Red Caboose, Atlas, Kato and Athearn.

Video #385#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1L2KdUBxis

Trains and Trucks: Car System Cab Ride (FPV) on the Streets of a Model Railway Layout

Apart from the fully automatic, digitally controlled train traffic on model railway layouts, one special phenomenon has emerged in the last years, namely a miniature car system for N scale, HO scale, OO scale and TT scale layouts. Every model builder knows these amazing scale model vehicles, which automatically drive on miniature roads. Therefore, we leave the train in this video and get into a mini car. We are going to discover a first person view video or cab ride video from the perspective of a truck driver. By the way, very simple car systems are based on the fact that a steering grinder at the front wheel axle follows a magnetic wire that has been installed under the road. A small motor is installed on the rear axle, which is powered by a rechargeable battery. Advanced car systems are characterized by infrared sensors, light decoders and sound decoders inside the vehicles. In addition, those vehicles can be precisely controlled via DCC. Very popular miniature vehicle systems are the “Faller Car System” or the “DC Car System”. The camera, used in this video, is the new “RunCam 5”, a superb cube camera (dimension: 38 x 38 x 36 mm or 1.49 x 1.49 x 1.42 inches) suitable for rail transport modeling, model railroading and railway modelling.

Video #384#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF01_on2rhc

Trains in Germany: Steam locomotives and diesel-electric road-switcher locomotives in HO scale

In this video, we are going to discover some German trains and locomotives. When the video begins, we see a German steam locomotive on a turntable in front of the engine shed. Then we meet the famous rail diesel car, named VT 98, and the train sets of Class VT 11.5, simply called “TEE”, diesel multiple units built by Deutsche Bundesbahn used for “Trans Europ Express” services. Once the “Trans Europ Express” was the flagship of the Deutsche Bundesbahn. A little later we see a railcar crossing the bridge and a worker busy cleaning the dining car. At the railway station, directly at the platforms, there is a German steam train with the DB class 01 steam locomotive and a passenger train, pulled by a diesel locomotive (DB class V 188), is leaving. Then a streamlined diesel train set (originally DRG Class SVT 137, later DB class VT 04) runs on the railway line. Finally, we see the great and strong DB class V 200 diesel-hydraulic express locomotive which was not only used by the Deutsche Bundesbahn but also by the Swiss SBB-CFF-FFS (SBB Am 4/4).

Video #383#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MMRHSEYXQY

Rail Transport Modeling in Front of the “Arizona Cold Storage Warehouse”: Industry Switching Layout in HO Scale

This HO scale industry switching layout depicts an example of rail transport modeling in front of the “Arizona Cold Storage Warehouse”. The model train layout was constructed by Fredy Coenen from the Netherlands. He calls his layout simply “The Fridge”. It is a US themed diorama (show layout) about three meters wide that uses cassettes as fiddle yard on both ends. Freight trains are mainly seen in shunting operations. Locomotives, for example the GP40, a four-axle diesel-electric road-switcher locomotive originally built by General Motors, the EMD GP9, also a four-axle road switcher diesel-electric locomotive originally built by General Motors’ Electro-Motive Division in the United States, the SD45, a six-axle road switcher diesel-electric locomotive originally built by General Motors between 1965 and 1971, the EMD GP60, also a four-axle road switcher diesel-electric locomotive built by General Motors between 1985 and 1994 or the Alco RSD-15 diesel-electric locomotive originally built by the American Locomotive Company between 1956 and 1960 and freight cars are perfectly weathered. While the scale model of the Alco RSD-15 locomotive was built by Broadway Limited Imports, the so-called industry leader in premium sound-equipped HO scale model trains, the remaining rolling stock comes from the manufacturer Athearn. Some freight cars manufactured by Atlas Model Railroad Company are also in use. The carefully aged and weathered locomotives are equipped with sound decoders, for example with the SoundTraxx Tsunami digital sound decoder. Therefore, Pilentum didn't have to do any audio dubbing. The model railroad layout represents a fictional marshalling yard located in the old industrial area of Phoenix, Arizona (USA). The diorama reflects the year 1979. On the layout, a mixture of “city edge layout” and “industrial area layout”, there are trains by Southern Pacific and Santa Fe RR delivering and picking-up freight from the warehouses that were used by companies operating in the food industry. One of the largest companies in this miniature world is the “Arizona Cold Storage”, a warehouse for refrigerated goods. All buildings on the HO scale layout are scratch built, so each one is unique.

Video #382#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WabTRALA17U

Model Railroading in the Standard Oil Fields: HOn3 Model Railroad Layout by René Paul

This superb model railroad layout was designed by René Paul from the Netherlands. It is an American HOn3 layout, called “Standard Oil Fields”, which was originally built for shunting with model trains but now used as a show layout for rail transport modeling exhibitions. The size is about 3.6 meters in length and 1.3 meters in width. The layout depicts the early days of crude oil production and its transport by rail. There are drilling towers, warehouses and workers fixing the broken oil pipeline.

Video #381#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxsRvtJ7m3w

Cab Ride along Sweden’s Largest Model Railway Layout and Fiddle Yards

In this video, we are going to discover another section of Sweden’s largest model railway layout, called “Modelljärnväg Hässleholm”. It is a cab ride along beautiful landscapes and a lot of fiddle yards, which are installed below the whole model train layout. By the way, they say “modellrallaren” for rail transport modeling and model railroading in Sweden. And, the Swedish phrase for “model train cab ride video” is “modelltåg filmad från förarhytten”.

Video #380#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Se6gZrbJnY

Model Trains on a branch line in a German Village - Rail Modeling in HO scale

Enjoy the traditional architecture of this German village, the idyllic half-timber houses and its trains on the branch line. This model railway layout was built in HO scale, and depicts a quaint village life, where people are farming, grazing cattle and growing grapes in the vineyards. The model train layout was constructed as a modular layout consisting of sections with farms, stations and bridges.

Video #379#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScpNBxtKOtk

Professional Rail Transport Modeling with Push-Pull Trains and Helper Locomotives in HO Scale

This model train video is about a large private model railroad layout in Germany. On the contrary to many other miniature worlds, which are presented on Pilentum’s YouTube Channel, this layout is a historically correct scale model of the “Spessart Ramp”. The “Spessart” is a range of low wooded mountains in Germany. The highest elevation is at approximately 600 meters above ground. So the “Spessart Ramp” is a railroad line with one end higher than the other. For trains crossing the “Spessart Region”, the ramp enabled the difference in height to be overcome. The original railroad line was opened in October 1854 by the Royal Bavarian State Railways. In keeping with the philosophy for railroad construction at that time, it was decided that the way to cope with large differences in height was the construction of a relatively short, steep section of railroad lines. Furthermore, it was decided, to haul trains up the incline with the aid of pusher engines. A bank engine or banking engine or helper engine, colloquially known as a “banker” in Great Britain and Australia or as a “pusher engine” in the United States, is a locomotive that temporarily assists a train that requires additional power or traction to climb a gradient. Sometimes those locomotive-hauled trains are named “push-pull trains”, especially a long one, may have a locomotive on both ends so that there is always one locomotive pushing and one locomotive pulling. These helper locomotives are called “Postrk nebo nezavěšený postrk na konci vlaku” in the Czech Republic, “Työntöveturi” in Finland, “Popych” or “Lokomotywa pracująca na popychu na końcu pociągu popychanego” in Poland, “補助機関車” or “後補機” in Japan, “Popych lub lokomotywa pracująca na popychu na końcu pociągu popychanego” in Poland, “Локомотив-толкач (Подталкивающий локомотив) — локомотив в хвосте поезда” in Russia, “Локомотив-штовхач — локомотив в хвості поїзда” in Ukraine, “辅助机车，辅助机车又叫辅机或补机” in China and “輔助機車，輔助機車又叫輔機或補機” in Taiwan. The helper or pusher locomotive would be brought up behind the last car of the train. When the train no longer required assistance, the helper or pusher locomotive would slow, then reverse and coast back down the grade to its siding at the bottom of the grade. In Germany, from 1854 to 2017 those push-pull trains were used between the city of Laufach in the valley and the “Schwarzkopftunnel” at the top of the mountain. The pusher locomotives are positioned at the rear of the train, in which case they also protected against wagons or coaches breaking away from the train and running back downhill. However, on the model railroad layout miniature trains arrive at the large station. Then they wait until one of four available helper locomotives ranks behind the train. Together - with the locomotives pulling and pushing - the train departs. The entire operating procedure on this HO scale layout is fully automatic. Trains and locomotives are automatically controlled by the computer (DCC). Even the operation with helper locomotives is automatically controlled. The model railroad control system ensures that the two locomotives do not put too much stress on the cars and the model railway control system checks that the locomotive at the front does more pulling than the locomotive at the rear does pushing. Pushing or helper locomotives were most widely used during the age of steam. Today, the development of diesel or electric locomotives has eliminated the everyday need in all but a few locations. Helper locomotives were commonly designed to provide extreme power for very short runs. Therefore, those locomotives are most commonly found in mountain divisions, where trains may demand the use of substantially greater motive power. In reality until 2017, helper locomotives were manually controlled on the “Spessart Ramp”, which was still the norm for push engines at the end of freight trains and passenger trains in Europe. To be able to add and remove helper locomotives quickly, which was especially important in Europe due to the high rail traffic density, they were added to the end of the train.

Video #378#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XefvJjDCaIc

Model Railroading with Steam Trains (鉄道模型) and Steam Locomotives (蒸気機関車) in 1/32 Scale

Steam trains (鉄道模型) and steam locomotives (蒸気機関車) are a rare sight in the 21st Century, but as scale models (縮尺模型) they are far from extinct. Come along for a look at several steam trains running in Germany. All aboard! Enjoy this short video that features numerous shots of different steam engines in a miniature world built in gauge 1 or 3⁄8 inch scale (1/32 scale ratio).

Video #377#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8D3qiWS-Mk

Rail Transport Modeling: Model Trains Galore with Pantograph and Overhead Line (Catenary)

In this model train video the camera is installed in the near of the railroad tracks. We see German trains running with pantographs (current collectors) on the overhead line (catenary). The trains are made in 1/87 scale. Enjoy that superb “trains galore” including German steam locomotives and steam engines, modern and vintage electric locomotives as well as the famous “Crocodile” locomotive.

Video #376#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRf2IVPsgi0

Rail Transport Modelling in France: The superb model railway layout made by François Joyau

François Joyau built a superb model railway layout of the railway lines around Paris. This rail infrastructure was called “La Petite Ceinture”. However, he called his H0 gauge layout “57 bis Rue Eiffefe”. He reproduced a more urban atmosphere with buildings inspired by real places. Weathering and detailing are impressive, for example, the patina, which differs from one building to another. François Joyau has gone very far in his attention to detail: At the station, the various inscriptions are printed on photo paper, and at the “Cinéma Palace” six red LED, driven by an Arduino single-board microcontroller, animate the signs. The model train layout is fully digitized and controlled by a “Z21 Roco DCC”.

Video #375#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmrxtiKxSpc

Trains and Scale Modeling - Cab Ride on the largest model railroad in Sweden

We are going to discover another example of rail transport modeling in Europe in this model train video, made at the famous model railroad exhibit “Modelljärnväg Hässleholm” in Sweden. The model railroad museum presents a large HO scale layout on an area of more than 700 square meters. The model train layout is operated by the Swedish model railroad club called “Hässleholms Modelljärnvägsförening” (HMJF). In this first person view video we see steam locomotives, electric locomotives, diesel locomotives as well as diesel multiple units and railcars used by the Swedish State Railways.

Video #374#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bakCh8e0Bn8

Rail Transport Modeling in Germany: A small model train exhibition in HO scale

This model train video is about a small permanent model railway layout near Frankfurt, Germany. That exhibition is called “Modellbahnhof Stockheim”, and it was constructed in HO scale. It is housed in a former railway station building. Except for the model trains, the exhibition is also known as a model railway museum preserving the regional railway history. On the layout, there are famous German steam locomotives, diesel multiple units and railcars used by today’s German railway companies. The layout, especially the model landscaping, is a bit older. Nevertheless, the trains are controlled automatically via DCC.

Video #373#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipJIkzp9da8

One of Sweden’s finest and largest and most famous model railroad in HO scale

In summer 2019, Pilentum Television, was invited by Hässleholms Modelljärnvägsförening, one of the biggest model railway clubs in Sweden, to produce a video documentary about Sweden’s finest and largest model railroad layout. If you’re asking Swedish model railroaders and railway enthusiast, where to find the largest permanent model railway exhibition in Sweden, they will probably answer, this is the “Modelljärnväg Hässleholm”. By the way, the Swedish word “modelljärnväg” means “model railway” in British English and “model railroad” in American English. In this video, Pilentum Television presents the “Modelljärnväg Hässleholm”, really one of the largest model railroad layouts built in HO scale in Sweden. Actually, this Swedish miniature world covers more than 700 square meters. This Swedish HO scale layout is a historically correct scale model of Hässleholm’s railway station, its locomotive shed and its buildings as they were in the late 1960’s. During the 20th century Hässleholm developed into a large railway junction because it was a crossing of all the Swedish railway lines that ran from the north to the south and from the east to the west. Even today, Hässleholm is still an important railway junction in the network of the Swedish State Railways, also known as “Statens Järnvägar”. That was the reason why Hässleholm’s model railway association decided to build a model railroad layout of the whole region. Since 2004, the Swedish miniature world has been growing continuously and is to be expanded extensively over the next few years. Until today, the HO scale layout was taking around 100,000 man hours. The layout occupies more than 700 square meters and consists of 1,600 meters of track, 400 points (switches) and more than 600 electrical blocks including block occupancy detection decoders and a signal system. Many historical buildings, which no longer exist today, were reconstructed as they looked in the 1960’s. The track fields and the position of the rails were laid exactly on the model railway layout according to plans and drawings of the Swedish traffic administration. Because the “Modelljärnväg Hässleholm” presents Sweden’s railways in the 1960’s, we cannot expect the famous high-speed trains, called “X 2000” or “X2”, which are used in Sweden today. There are no tilting trains and no high-speed trains. There are freight trains, local passenger trains and the famous Y6, Y7 and Y8 series of diesel railcars. These motor cars were used throughout the unelectrified Swedish rail network during the 1950’s to the 1980’s. On the layout, there are also the X5, X8 and X15 series of electric multiple units operated by “Statens Järnvägar” as express trains. Also the X9 series of four-car electric multiple units, once operated by the Swedish State Railways, also known as “Statens Järnvägar”, which were in service until the late 1990’s, are presented on the HO scale layout. By the way, that sharp reddish orange color gave the trains the nickname “Paprika Trains” (“Pepper Trains”). The rolling stock of this Swedish miniature world also consists of the famous “SJ Class Ra”, also known as “Rapid”, an electric locomotive operated by Swedish State Railways. Those electric locomotives were used on express trains and were mainly taken out of service in the late 1980’s. The size of the whole layout makes it necessary to use a digital control system. Hässleholm’s model railway association is using the software “Train Controller Gold”. Control of train sets, occupancy detectors and locomotive decoders are based on the digital model train control system, also known as DCC. Please, enjoy this video, and don’t forget to visit this layout, called “Modelljärnväg Hässleholm”, when you are going to make a journey to Sweden.

Video #372#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BnVCPGz-5U

Modular Model Railroad with German Steam Locomotives and Diesel Railcars

This modular model railroad layout was presented at the international exhibition for model railroading and rail transport modeling, called “Intermodellbau” in Dortmund, Germany. The layout consists of different segments and has an overall length of nearly ten meters or 33 feet. It was built in O scale by a group of German model railroaders. The layout depicts a single-track railroad line somewhere in the north of Germany. The rolling stock was made by the German manufacturer “Lenz”, a company known throughout Europe for its locomotives, coaches and decoders in 1/45 scale.

Video #371#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhVi3NiCmLo

Model Railroading in Austria: Discover the beauty of the alpine landscape on a model train

Many of you know that the world’s largest model railroad layout is located in Germany. That exhibition is called “Miniature Wonderland”. Inside this permanent model train exhibition many countries, for example, America, Denmark, Sweden, Italy, Norway, Germany, Switzerland and Austria are presented on HO scale layouts. In this video we are going to discover the section of Austria. This section was one of the first model railroad layouts inside the “Miniature Wonderland” to be built. It was opened in August 2001 and has a size of about 60 m². You will discover a little winter wonderland and the beauty of the Austrian countryside. It is high winter season in Miniature Austria. On the ski slopes, the skiers glide elegantly down the mountains. The mood is jolly, children have a snowball fight and build a snow man. In the background, a gondola lift transports skiers to the mountain peak, and passengers wait for departure in the blue cog railroad, a steam locomotive class 91. At the St. Wendel train station you will observe the passengers on the platform, as well as those already seated in the passing model trains. In Miniature Austria, there is also a bike race. The cyclists struggle on the mountain stage, some riders have fallen on the bend, other cyclists are fed up with the strenuous effort and decided to make a break.

Video #370#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoLucWt0CU8

Modelljärnväg Hässleholm - Cab ride on the largest model railroad in Sweden

Hässleholm is a small city with 18,500 inhabitants in Sweden. The city was gradually developed from 1860 in connection with the construction of the railroad from Stockholm to Malmö. Therefore, Hässleholm’s history is closely connected with the railroad history of Sweden. In June 2004, Hässleholms Modelljärnvägsförening (HMJF), the Hässleholm Model Railroad Association was formed. In the early years, the members of HMJF constructed a permanent model railroad layout on 250 square meters. The layout is called “Modelljärnväg Hässleholm” and depicts Hässleholm’s railroad station and buildings in the 1960’s. In 2008, another room was used for increasing the layout. The idea was to present not only Hässleholm, but also the surrounding villages, communities and railway stations in HO scale. In 2013, the HMJF moved to a new site with an area of more than 700 square meters. Today, Hässleholm’s Modelljärnväg presents Hässleholm railroad station, cargo yard, freight yard and the villages of Sösdala, Finja, Tyringe, Västra Torup, Tormestorp, Sandåkra and Vankiva. Actually, the model railroad layout of Attarp, Ignaberga and Vinslöv is still under construction. Ignaberga and Vinslöv will take more than 200 square meters, and this section of the layout will be a winter landscape. In this video, we are going to do model railroading in Swedish: Let’s discover one of the largest model railroad layouts of North Europe, totally built in 1/87 scale. Pilentum’s model train camera is cruising on more than 1,500 meters of rail tracks along a beautiful miniature world of Sweden.

Video #369#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRfSFYBZoN4

The Magic of Backdrops for Model Railroad Layouts and Backscenes for Model Railways: Narrow-gauge Railway in Salzburg in Austria

Actually, it’s just a narrow-gauge model railroad layout built in HO scale by a group of German model railroaders. But that certain something of this HO scale layout is highlighted by the amazing high quality photo backdrop, background or backscene. Therefore, Pilentum named this video “The Magic of Backgrops for Model Trains”. However, in this this video we are going to discover a superb scale model of the famous “Pinzgauer Lokalbahn”, formerly known as “Pinzgaubahn” or “Krimmler Bahn”, a narrow-gauge railway in Salzburg in Austria. This nearly 50 kilometer railroad crosses the Pinzgau mountains through a breathtaking landscape. Although Steffen Pohl, Michael Geifes und Rainer Dargel are train enthusiasts from Germany, they decided to construct this Austrian railroad. The combination of highly detailed weathered locomotives and trains with this tailor-made high quality photo backdrop and the amazingly designed landscape is truly spectacular. It’s a little work of art and a masterpiece of model railroading. On the layout, various narrow-gauge trains commute from the fiddle yard on the left to the fiddle yard on the right. There is also a replica of the “Tischlerhäusl” rail station, which in reality is located near Zell am See, Austria. Furthermore, there are a factory, a large sawmill and an abandoned gravel mill.

Video #368#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwQOVgHxqqM

Masterpiece of model railroading from France: The model railroad layout “La Maurienne” in HO Scale

The Club Ferroviaire de Franche-Comté (CFFC) is a model railroading club, which is based in Pontarlier, a commune in eastern France near the Swiss border. The club’s members come not only from the region, but from all over France. Therefore there is no clubhouse; there is also no permanent model railroad layout. CFFC members are working on model railroad modules, which are assembled for exhibitions all over Europe. In fact, model railroad modules made by the CFFC are superb HO scale layouts, constructed to museum quality. The latest layout is a historically correct scale model of the famous “Culoz-Modane Railway Line”, sometimes called “Ligne de la Maurienne”, between 1950 and 1960. The “Ligne de la Maurienne” is a 135 kilometers (84 miles) long railroad, running from Culoz to Modane in France and from Modane to Turin in Italy. The Culoz-Modane railroad is operated by the French railroad company “Société nationale des chemins de fer français” (SNCF), and the line from Modane to Turin that connects with it is operated by the Italian railroad company “Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane” (FS). However, the specificity of this railroad line was the electrification: In 1925 the main line was electrified with 1,500 V direct current (DC), using a third rail. Then, this was the highest voltage ever used on a third rail system in Europe. In 1976 the third rail was replaced by an overhead wire. Basically, a third rail is a method of providing electric power to a locomotive, through a semi-continuous rigid conductor placed alongside or between the rails of a railway track. Third rail systems are always supplied from direct current electricity. Therefore the locomotives on the HO scale layout, built by the French manufacturer “Jouef”, had to be modified. While the pantograph on the roof is not in operation, a pantograph is used, which was attached to the side of the locomotives (power socket). Furthermore, the rolling stock and buildings are carefully weathered. The layout takes approximately nine meters in length and two meters in width, including a large fiddle yard behind the rear panel. The software “Train Controller” (Gold Version) is used in combination with ESU decoder equipment for the rail control.

Video #367#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9eoZiaBZ8U

Superb Model Railroad Diorama: Double deck road and rail bridge for model trains in Z scale

There are many definitions for combined railway and motorway bridges. Some say double deck road and rail bridge or double-decker bridge, others say road-rail bridge. However, in this this video we are going to discover a superb scale model of the double-deck rail and road bridge crossing the river Moselle at Bullay, Germany. This bridge, called “Moselle Bridge Bullay”, is located near Coblenz and Trier, and it is Germany’s first combined railway and road bridge, built between 1875 and 1878. Its total length is 957 feet or 314 meters. Rainer Tielke, a model railroader and model railway enthusiast from Germany, constructed a true to original replica of this bridge in 1/220 scale, also known as Z scale or Z gauge. The bridge is the focus of his superb model railway layout. On the left and right side are tunnels; they serve as access to the fiddle yard behind the diorama. The bridge is shared by road and rail lines. The rail track is above the roadway, so that trains may operate at the same time as cars. On the bridge not only model trains drive, but also buses and trucks drive over the bridge. A so-called “Miniature Car System” was installed along the road. The bodies of the vehicles were produced with a 3D printer, while the micro gearwheels, micro gearmotors and micro gearboxes were produced by the Polish company KK Produkcja. Apart from the bridge, this diorama also offers a very special highlight, namely the perfect background scenery. In the background of the model railroad layout a scale photo was inserted. The photo wallpaper depicts the real landscape around the bridge.

Video #366#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gg6crmUHUBc

Pilentum‘s Cab Ride Documentary - Porsche‘s Model Trains (Full Movie)

This is the model railway layout of Mr. Hans-Peter Porsche. It is a permanent model railroad exhibition in Southern Germany, called “Traumwerk Porsche”. The model trains layout was built in HO scale and has an exhibition area of more than 400 square meters. In this video Pilentum Television presents all railway lines and track sections from the driver’s point of view (cab ride). We will experience Austria, Switzerland and Germany as well as mountains, bridges and valleys.

Video #365#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDkpMjSlrmw

HOn3 Model Railroad Layout with Steam Locomotives and Diesel Locomotives

This small and beautiful model railroad layout was built by the German model railroader Heinz-Ulrich Grumpe. It is a narrow gauge H0 layout; also known as HOn3 scale. The diorama has a size of 80 cm x 40 cm. The terrain was formed from Styrodur plates. Code-55 rail profiles (1.3 mm) were used for the tracks. The steam locomotive and diesel locomotive are operated in the same way with a speed controller in analogue mode. The switch frogs are polarized so that a continuous voltage supply is always guaranteed.

Video #364#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5t0PArvyGw

The East Berlin Model Train Layout by Bill Roberts in N Scale

East Berlin was the capital city of the German Democratic Republic from 1949 to 1990. Formally, it was the Soviet sector of Berlin, established in 1945. From 13 August 1961 until 9 November 1989, East Berlin was separated from West Berlin by the Berlin Wall. The American, British and French sectors were known as West Berlin. At that time also the railway lines were divided. In West Berlin there were trains of the “Deutsche Bundesbahn”, while in East Berlin there were trains of the “Deutsche Reichsbahn”. The model railway layout which was built by Bill Roberts from Great Britain, attempts to capture the scene at the former railway station “Marx Engels Platz”, today called “Hackescher Markt”, which is situated in former East Berlin between “Alexanderplatz” and “Friedrichstrasse” stations. The situation, shown on the model railroad layout, reflects the time after the fall of the Berlin Wall in spring 1990. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, in this corner of former East Berlin little has changed. There is evidence of the decay of the former capital of the German Democratic Republic. Model trains leave station of “Alexanderplatz” on the right and travel through “Marx Engels Platz” before crossing the river Spree onto the “Museumsinsel” and passing between the Natural History Museum and the Pergamon Museum. The two lines towards the rear of the model train layout are used by the “Stadtbahn” (Berlin Rapid Transit), whilst the double track towards the front of the N scale layout are the interzonal lines allowing trains to cross into West Berlin before continuing to their destinations in East Germany and beyond. Bill Roberts told Pilentum Television, that his layout has a size of 20 x 2 feet. Furthermore, the layout is based on the location but does not purport to be an exact replica of the area. Rather the intention has been to recreate a flavor of the old East Berlin albeit with some buildings modelled accurately. Apart from the trams, which operate at street level at both “Marx Engels Platz” and “Alexanderplatz” stations, the entire railway line is equipped with an overhead line (catenary). Bill Roberts also spends great attention on detail in his choice of the rolling stock: Only East German locomotives and train sets are in use. Also, the line sees a frequent service of the iconic Berlin S-Bahn units.

Video #363#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5iiBDTdWSI

Mind Blowing on30 Scale Layout “Purgartory Peak” with Denver and Rio Grande Model Trains

Purgatory Peak is an on30 scale layout which was built by the members of the Macclesfield Model Railway Group, Great Britain. Currently Purgatory Peak is the only club layout that is being exhibited. It is a first attempt at American on30 gauge layouts by British steam enthusiasts. Although there are perfectly weathered locomotives, trains and landscapes of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad, the model railway layout is purely fictitious. When gold, silver and other heavy metals had been discovered, the newly emerging economy of the United States was screaming out for these resources. But pack horses, mule trains and back packs were simply not up to the ever growing demands. Something needed to be done. So a railroad was to build from Denver to the furthest reaches of western Colorado and on to Utah, thus linking the two most important emerging trading centers in the area. And so the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad was born. The railroads around Purgatory Peak were conceived in the euphoria of the mining boom of the late 19th century. Purgatory Peak was selected for the area to model, neither for its scenic beauty nor for its significance as a milestone in railway history. It was simply chosen because getting to this point, not only on the original railway, but also on the model, had been sheer, bloody purgatory. So we are in a mining area where heavily loaded freight trains transport mineral resources every minute. The layout depicts narrow gauge main lines and branch lines serving two mines. It is 8.3 mtr or 27 ft long. On the main line trains up to 24 wagons long are pulled by K series locomotives. At least three model trains are in operation at all times - always something moving! Furthermore, the layout is fully scenic along the whole layout length. Behind the scene, the narrow gauge main lines are supported by an 8-road fiddle yard.

Video #362#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCKWK3pCL_c

Modular Model Railroad Layout with German Trains and Locomotives in HO Scale

Although we see German model trains running on this model railway layout, this modular model railroad layout was built by model railroaders from the Netherlands, namely by Ton van Dijk, Ton Huijink, Erik Dikken and Michel Turlings, who are members of the model railway club “MaasBuurtSpoor”. The club members call their layout just “De Duitse Modulebaan”, which means “The German Modular Railway” or “The German Modular Railroad”. With the construction of the railway, a very special idea was to be realized: The main thing was to create the atmosphere of the 1960's in Germany, when there were still many steam locomotives and diesel locomotives. On the layout in HO scale, there are many buildings and details to discover: There is a depot for steam and diesel locos, so train drivers have the possibility to shovel some coal, to fill up their steam engines with sand, or to fill up their diesel trains with fuel. Furthermore, a house is burning near the railway crossing and children are playing Chinese jump rope, also known as Chinese ropes, jumpsies, elastics, yoki or French skipping. Finally, it is a beautiful ambiance on this modular model train layout because of the many, varied train sets, which pass by. This ambience is enhanced by the amazing photo background, which results in a beautiful depth effect. The entire trackwork is equipped with overhead wires. Although the catenary is not in use, however, it does complete the ambiance of this miniature world.

Video #361#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fb0WweEuUyk

Something very rare: Model railway in TT scale with hand-built steam locomotives of Pomerania

This model railway layout was built by a model railroading club from Dresden, Germany. In East Germany the TT scale was very popular for model trains - both today and then. Therefore, the members of the club decided to rebuild an old branch line in the former Prussian province of Pomerania in TT scale. Once, this Prussian railway line was called “Franzburger Kreisbahnen”. The special feature of this model railroad layout is the rolling stock: Originally this Prussian railway line was not constructed in narrow gauge, but in meter gauge. Therefore, the main problems on railway modelling were the steam locomotives, because there is no rolling stock in meter gauge for rail transport modelling in TT scale. Locomotives which were built as N scale models were reconstructed to locomotives in TT scale meter gauge. The construction of the modular model railway layout started in 2014. While the landscape was rebuilt on the basis of old files and old photos, locomotives and railway cars had to be reconstructed from N scale to TT scale by hand. However, some freight cars and passenger cars were converted from TT gauge (narrow gauge) to TT gauge (meter gauge). On the modular model railway layout we can discover a typical East German atmosphere. There are small train stations, farms and even a light railway. The whole scenery presents Pomerania in the past. The abbreviation “DR” on steam locomotives and railway wagons means “Deutsche Reichsbahn”, i.e. the railway company in Germany before the Second World War or the railway company in East Germany.

Video #360#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Touzr3tWhgs

Z Gauge Model Railway Intermodal Freight Terminal with Z Scale Model Trains

This amazing model railway diorama in Z gauge was built by the German model maker Claudius Veit. The layout presents a model railway intermodal freight terminal, and occupies an area of just 160 cm x 60 cm. There is a lot of electronics: Digitally controlled model trains, locomotives with sound effects, moving trucks and cars, mobile gantry cranes and a lot of lighting effects. The rolling stock is made by the manufacturer Marklin. The four cranes, which were originally designed for N gauge model railways, are made by the manufacturer BRAWA, but have been completely revised by Claudius Veit. The street lights are from the LED assortment of Kokologgo Company and Evemodel Company. Finally, the model train layout is equipped with a photo background.

Video #359#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cld4HbYlk2s

One of the Finest and Most Detailed Model Railroad Bridges for HO scale Model Trains

In the city of Rotterdam in the Netherlands, there is a very famous railway bridge. The bridge is called “Delfshavense Schiebruggen”. This railway bridge is a double steel drawbridge with a clearance height of seven meters. Normally, the bridge only opens at night, so that train traffic is not disturbed by shipping during the day. Because this railway bridge is a landmark in the area of Rotterdam, this bridge was a challenge for a new model railway layout for the members of the Dutch model train club “MaasBuurtSpoor”. The model builder Mike van Raaij has carefully designed this model railway layout in HO scale. The detailed landscape on the model railroad layout has been reconstructed almost in perspective. Although there are even cyclists, boats and other loving details, the focus is on the railway bridge. The bridge consists of two leaning drawbridges lying next to each other. These drawbridges are placed diagonally across the railway line. However, the model bridge has the same functions as the original bridge. The model trains are controlled by a digital computer system. The train control is realized by the program “Koploper” and the block detection circuits are based on an S88 system.

Video #358#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-wlInHlA04

Tinplate Train - Lionel and Bing and Marklin Model Trains - Toy Trains in O Scale

In this video, we are going to discover an old tinplate model railway layout with power supply on a center third power rail. There are toy trains or model trains by the manufacturers Lionel, Bing and Marklin. The trains were produced between 1930 and 1950. The model railroad layout has a size of 12 meters x 3 meters. While HO scale and N scale are the most popular model railway standards of today, O gauge or O scale arguably remains the most popular toy train standard. O gauge trains represent a variety of sizes: O gauge track happens to be 1/45 the size of real-world standard gauge track, so manufacturers in Continental Europe have traditionally used 1/45 for O gauge model trains. British manufacturers rounded this up to 1/43, which is seven millimeters to the foot. Manufacturers in the United States rounded it down to 1/48, which is a quarter-inch to the foot. In the first half of the 20th century, the earliest toy trains were made of tinplate because technological advancements in materials and manufacturing allowed tin to be stamped, cut, rolled and lithographed faster than ever before. For example, Germany was the major producer of tin toys in the world in the early 20th century. The production of tin toys was discontinued during World War II because of the need for raw materials in the war effort. After the war, tin toys continued to increase in popularity but between 1950 and 1960 cheaper plastic ended the reign of tin toys. Furthermore, it was during 1950 and 1960 that the modern emphasis on realism in model railroading or railway modelling started to catch on. Since then, trains have no longer been called “toy trains”, but “model trains”. However, some adult fans of toy trains operate their trains, while others only collect.

Video #357#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6f-JKVaa10

Perfect Weathering: Scrapyard Model Railroad Layout by Samuel de Zutter in 1/32 scale

Samuel de Zutter is a famous rail modeller from Belgium. He has always been interested in car wrecks and scrap, so he decided to build a very messy model railway layout. He wanted to make a layout to do lots of switching with small diesel and steam locomotives. The track plan consists of two main tracks with a side track to the scrapyard where the switching takes place. After the scrapyard, those two tracks pass by an abandoned clay digging site, turned into a pond. On the model railroad layout, there is also a factory for car tyres. A loading dock next to the track provides the factory with resources and allows for the produced tyres to be transported by rail. All buildings have been built by hand. Samuel de Zutter spent a lot of time in detailing the interiors and little corners with all sorts of rubbish lying around.

Video #356#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeCzzz3RQdk

Model Railway Layout “Hawthorn Dene Colliery” in N scale by Les Richardson

This N gauge model railway layout represents the North Eastern Region’s Durham Coast mainline, somewhere around Easington in the late steam period. The British railway modeller Les Richardson, member of the Bingham Model Railway Club, has built this layout. The old Hawthorn Dene Colliery no longer winds coal, but it is still in use, mainly preparing household coal for merchants and for the nearby landsale yard. Colliery locomotives bring empties from the exchange sidings to the south for weighing and taking on to the screens, while full wagons are removed from the screens, weighed and taken to the exchange sidings. Buildings are typical of the area, though not modelled in the right places realative to each other. The layout is digitally controlled, using NCE Power Cabs. The semaphore Signal is by Dapol.

Video #355#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hio0hvRL3ao

Don't play with steam locomotives or you'll fall in love !!!

A love film or romance movie dedicated to steam locomotives by Pilentum Television.

Video #354#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xt4tmjVG598

N Gauge Model Railway Layout “Lymebrook Yard” by Steve Farmer

Steve Farmer wants to show us, how even the smallest space can be used for a model railway layout. His amazing layout, called “Lymebrook Yard”, is built on a single board with a size of just 4 x 2 feet and shows, what can be done if you are pushed for space. The layout is set in the late 1970s early 1980s with the location just north of Newcastle Under Lyme and is situated on an imaginary railway line between Newcastle and Crewe. On the model railroad layout, it is continuous run with the fiddle yard being dead end sidings that go under the scenery. Model trains consist of local DMU workings to trip workings to the yard and through freight workings. The trip workings to the yard arrive and depart with the train loco undertaking any shunting required. Track work is by PECO and is both code 80 in the fiddle yard and code 55 on the scenic section. The layout is analogue controlled with points operated by Gaugemaster SEEP point motors. The fiddle yard is operated by hand.

Video #353#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNMMSTq2cIg

High-Speed Trains in Japan: KATO N Scale Model Railway Layout 鉄道模型 高速鉄道 東海道新幹線

High-speed trains or high-speed rail is a type of rail transport that operates significantly faster than traditional rail traffic, using an integrated system of specialized rolling stock and dedicated tracks. One of the most famous high-speed trains is the “Tōkaidō Shinkansen” bullet train in Japan. In this video, we are going to discover a Japanese model railway layout in N scale presenting high-speed model trains made by KATO. Furthermore, there are authentic buildings, vehicles and landscapes from Japan.

Video #352#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gw8uC1doj4

Superb Model Railroad of a Forest Railway on Vancouver Island in Canada in HO Scale

This award winning model railroad was constructed by the two well-known model railroaders Leo Bettonviel and Walter Huijboom from the Netherlands. They call their HO scale modular layout “The Sodumb & Gamorrah Mining and Navigation Company”. The model railroad layout depicts an old forest railway line on Vancouver Island in the twenties and the thirties of the last century. A forest railway, forest tram, timber line, logging railway or logging railroad is a mode of railway transport which is used for forestry tasks, primarily the transportation of felled logs. Vancouver Island is in the northeastern Pacific Ocean, and it is part of the Canadian province of British Columbia. In the last century in the mountains of Vancouver Island, ore was found, and the railroad was used to transport the ore from the mines to the coast, where it was shipped for further processing. In addition, also wood was transported by rail to the harbor. As with many mountain railroads there are tracks along rivers, over bridges and in curves through the mountain valleys. The rolling stock and the locomotives must be able to withstand all possible conditions and obstacles along the way, for example on steep slopes and in sharp bends. Therefore, geared steam locomotives are in use. This type of steam locomotive uses gearing - usually reduction gearing - in the drivetrain. This gearing is part of the machinery within the locomotive and should not be confused with the pinion that propels a rack locomotive along the rack between the rails. The geared steam locomotives are built for conventional tracks; famous types are the Shay locomotive, the Climax locomotive or the Heisler locomotive.

Video #351#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8OfzDWp9ro

Model Railway Layout “Sidmouth” in 4mm OO Scale by Richard Harper

Richard Harper, a model railroader from Great Britain, had the idea to rebuild the terminus of an 8 1/4 mile branch line in Sidmouth, a seaside town in East Devon. Originally, trains ran on the former London and South Western Railway (LSWR) main line from Sidmouth Junction to Sidmouth. The line was opened in 1874. The model railway layout represents Sidmouth as it was operated by British Railways in the late 1950’s. During this period there have been around 15 trains each way per day. Freight workings were generally limited to coal, agricultural and building products. At the Warley Model Train Show Pilentum made a beautiful cab ride directly into the terminus.

Video #350#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31WUNSjX8Xo

Pilentum’s World of Model Trains: Model Railroading in Germany - HO scale Railroad Layout

In this video, we are moving back to the most beautiful era of the German State Railroads. Back in the 1980's when there were still some steam locomotives and a lot of diesel locomotives in operation. Our journey begins in a locomotive shed with a turntable. We accompany model trains with a gliding camera during the ride. We also see some funny and frivolous scenes in this model landscape. In this miniature world there is no train station, but there is a scrap yard. There are everyday scenes, somewhere in the neighborhood, and a motorway, where an accident happened, and much more. Again and again, the large locomotive shed is the focus of this video, because we see a lot of well-known German locomotives there. Enjoy 38 minutes of model railroading in Germany.

Video #349#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X11aAdPKIQ

Network SouthEast (NSE) Model Railway Layout “Tidworth” in 4mm OO Scale by Ian Blackall

Network SouthEast (NSE) was one of the three passenger sectors of British Rail formed in 1982. NSE principally operated commuter trains in the London area and inter-urban services in densely populated South East England. The railway sector was also known as London & South Eastern. The British railway modeller Ian Blackall constructed a 4mm OO gauge model railway layout presenting the village of Tidworth and its station. A lot of model trains by NSE serve the Tidworth station. For example, there are freight trains for the SWITCH warehouse at Tidworth or passenger trains arriving at the station.

Video #348#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhFbSaHN-W0

N Gauge Model Railway Layout “Bridgford” by Alastair Knox

Railway modeller Alastair Knox presented his beautiful model railway layout, which is called “Bridgford”, at Warley MRE. Bridgford is a “watch the model trains go by” type of layout set in the late 1930’s on the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS), a British railway company. The object is to run trains which are not out of proportion to the scenery, and which are as near as possible to the prototype in make-up and length. The “Bridgford” model train layout is not new, but already several years old. It was presented in the magazine “British Railway Modelling” (January, 1998) and “Railway Modeller” (June, 2014). Controllers are from AMR Electronics Company. Turnouts are fitted with PECO motors. Locomotives are kits or heavily modified. The coaches are marshalled as nearly as possible in the correct formations for the late 1930’s. Goods stock is the usual mixture of scratchbuilt, kits, modified proprietary and straight out of the box. Some of the goods stock is fitted with DG couplings for shunting. Most of the buildings on the layout are from the SD mouldings range, the rest are either products of “Ratio Plastic Model Kits” (PECO) or scratchbuilt. Signals are Ratio with Model Signal Engineering (MSE) arms. A feature of this model railroad layout is the beautiful railway viaduct. The viaduct etchings are by courtesy of Mike Raithby of the Manchester Model Railway Society, construction being in brass.

Video #347#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8BZvHkdIOk

British Model Trains by Hornby Railways - Show Layout of the Hornby Magazine in OO Gauge

When Pilentum was at the great Warley Model Train Show in Birmingham in 2018, he saw so many beautiful model train layouts that he did not know what to film. Therefore, Pilentum was capturing only some scenes of this superb OO gauge model railway layout including model trains made by Hornby Railways. It is the modular show layout presented by the Hornby Magazine. The layout consists of a great shunting yard on the left, of a rail crossing on the right and a fiddle yard in the background.

Video #346#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jty1cJDzjjc

Model Railway Layout “Blue is the Colour” in N Gauge by Norman Jones

The model railway layout that was built by Norman Jones in N scale is set in the mid 1970’s to early 1980’s, and portrays a secondary main line incorporating a branch line junction station and river crossing. The layout is called “Blue is the Colour” and was completed in 2014 and featured in the magazine British Railway Modelling (BRM). In addition, it has appeared in the magazine “Model Rail’s Great British Layouts” in 2017 as well as the British journal of the N Gauge Society. The rolling stock consists of British Railway trains, locomotives and passenger coaches.

Video #345#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbOJ9o-udrM

N Scale Micro Minimum Space Model Railway Layout “Priory Lane” by Malcolm Goodger

Malcolm Goodger calls his model railway layout “Priory Lane”. It is an N Gauge layout, which can be classified as a micro or minimum space layout measuring only 4' 6" x 1' 6" with an operational area of 3' 0". Priory Lane is a small country station in Great Britain with limited goods facilities which was originally a through station on the East West Line connecting with the terminus at Priory Hill to the West of the village.

Video #344#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyQlNHUrH54

The Yellow Ridge Uranium Mine - Minimum Gauge Micro Layout by Nick Wright

This model railway layout in 1/24 scale is set in the 1970’s and depicts a small Uranium mine somewhere in the Canada. The diorama was presented as minimum gauge micro layout at the Warley Model Railway Exhibition. Although the layout is not based on an actual mine, Nick Wright has tried to capture the industrial “run on a shoestring” look and feel of a typical mine of this size. Generally, these minimum gauge or micro layouts are small model railways, usually less than three or four square feet in area, that have a clear purpose and offer a degree of operating potential.

Video #343#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5xJt9-0qRU

Model Train Layout Ebsworth Street by Beckenham and West Wickham Model Railway Club

Ebsworth Street is the name of a modern image model railway layout that was built by the members of the Beckenham and West Wickham Model Railway Club. It is a 4mm scale or OO gauge layout for the exhibition circuit. Ebsworth Street recreates a small main line terminus station with three platforms running from London via the main line. Beside the railway station with a main road leading to town centre, there is a train care depot with locomotive sidings. The model train layout is DCC operated by Lenz 100 Control System and MRCCC (Model Railway Computer Control Centre).

Video #342#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gj1bShY7ZhM

Model Train Layout “Ulvaryd” by Charles Insley

The model railway layout is set in southern Sweden, on the shores of Lake Vättern in Västergötland. It is the lakeside terminus of the “Ulvaryd Mjölltorp Railway Line” (Ulvaryd-Mjölltorp Järnväg), a narrow gauge railway connected the small lakeside town of Ulvaryd with the main line from Skövde to Karlsborg. These Swedish railway lines were built in the early 20th century. The narrow gauge lines existed until the 1950s. All are now closed. The model railroad layout made by Charles Insley in HO scale is fictitious.

Video #341#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bmnz41d6BDE

Model Railway Layout “New Bryford” in OO Gauge by Mick Bryan and Peter Taylor

The model railway layout, which is called “New Bryford”, had previously been exhibited in the late 1990’s and after a change of ownership it has returned to the original model builder. The layout, built in OO gauge or 4 mm scale, has been extensively refurbished including a new, deeper backscene and conversion to Digital Command Control (DCC) operation via a Lenz 100 system. Peco Code 75 track is used in the scenic section and Peco Code 100 in the storage yards. Switches or points are equipped with Peco point motors - all have been fitted with extra switches to improve electrical reliability. The model railroad portrays the railway scene within the Manchester, Wigan and Bolton area in Great Britain. Passenger traffic, for example, is varied from Northern Rail diesel multiple units (DMU) to Voyagers on Anglo-Scottish duty and occasional Pendolino trains. Freight traffic is equally varied, for example, there are DB Schenker, Freightliner, Direct Rail Services and Colas Rail all having regular workings through New Bryford. The DCC system enables to control each item individually including lights and sound. Much of the rolling stock was modified, repainted and renumbered by Mick Bryan and Peter Taylor. Normally, ready-to-run items from all the major manufacturers are in use. But there are a few kit and scratchbuilt items to add further variety.

Video #340#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQ9QRdPqcdE

Marklin Model Railway in HO scale by Modelspoorklub van de Kust

This model railway layout was built by the members of the Modelspoorklub van de Kust (MSKK). It is a Marklin model railway (3-rail system). The layout is about the German region of Thuringia at the beginning of the 20th century. Then, it was the great era of steam strains and steam locomotives. The layout is constructed as a modular model railway layout of nearly 8 x 5 meters. The model trains are controlled by the “Koploper” software.

Video #339#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5h79vZsEXTA

Steam locomotives and diesel trains from Switzerland on the Furka Cogwheel Railway

The “Furka Cogwheel Steam Railway” is a largely volunteer operated heritage railway which operates a partially rack and pinion-operated line across Switzerland. Culminating at 2,160 meters, above sea level, it is an old mountainous section of the “Furka Railway” that was abandoned after the construction of the Furka Tunnel. It has been gradually brought back into service with the use of steam and diesel locomotives, with the entire line completed in 2010. On the model railway layout, we see - amongst other things - the famous railway station of Gletsch. It is a nearly realistic replica of the buildings and railway tracks. Furthermore, we can discover some other sections of the “Furka Railway”, for example, the “Steinstafel Bridge“ or the “Steffenbach Bridge”. All model trains are made by BEMO. In 1/87 railway modelling scale, these narrow-gauge railway lines of Switzerland are called “H0m scale” with a track gauge of 12 mm.

Video #338#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRHDN7ZO3TM

Industrial railroad of a former paper factory in East Germany - French model railroad diorama

This superb model railroad diorama in scale 1/43 was built by the French model train club, called “Club de Modélisme de St. Michel sur Orge”. Some members of this railroad club have a passion for field railroads, industrial railroads and narrow-gauge railroads. Therefore, they decided to build a former paper factory from East Germany. The focus is on the rails and locomotives which are using the industrial railroad lines in front of the factory. Locomotives are perfectly weathered. Additionally, there is a catenary. On the industrial site, there are also the typical old vehicles from East Germany. An industrial railroad is a type of railroad that is not available for public transportation and is used exclusively to serve a particular industrial site. So the paper factory, which is called “VEB Hoppenbach”, uses its own industrial railroad both for the delivery of raw materials and for shipping the finished products. The main reasons for industrial railroads in East Germany were normally onsite shunting and consolidation: Part-finished products or goods require movement between different parts of the factory site to enable them to be manufactured, or made-ready for shipment. Industrial railroads were once very common in East Germany, but with the rise of road transport, their numbers have greatly diminished. Industrial railroads or narrow-gauge railroads are railroads with a track gauge narrower than standard 4 feet 8 1⁄2 inches. Most narrow-gauge railroads are between 1 foot 11 5⁄8 inches and 3 feet 6 inches. Since narrow-gauge railroads are usually built with tighter curves, smaller structure gauges and lighter rails, they can be less costly to build, equip and operate than standard-gauge railroads. In East Germany lower-cost narrow-gauge railroads were often built to serve industries where the traffic potential would not justify the cost of a standard-gauge line.

Video #337#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2jSROmG4IQ

Model Trains from Switzerland: The Rhaetian Railway (RhB) - Metre gauge and electrified

The Rhaetian Railway (RhB) is a Swiss transport company that owns the largest network of all private railway operators in Switzerland. The RhB operates all the railway lines of the Swiss canton of Graubuenden. Inaugurated in 1888 and expanded from 1896 onwards in various sections, the Rhaetian Railway serves a number of major tourist destinations, such as St. Moritz and Davos. On the model railway layout, we see the RhB station in Alp Gruem, Swiss landscapes and model trains made by BEMO. All Rhaetian Railway lines are 1,000 mm (3 feet 3 3⁄8 in) metre gauge wide and electrified. In 1/87 rail transport modelling scale, these 1,000 mm railway lines are called H0m or HOn3½ with a track gauge of 12 mm (0.472 in).

Video #336#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sytoHjvcCoM

Superb Model Railway Layout: The Steam Tramway of La Roche-en-Ardenne by Rudi Nelissen

This superb model railway layout was built by Rudi Nelissen. The layout is called “La Roche-en-Ardenne” (Porphyry Quarry), and depicts the beautiful landscape of La Roche-en-Ardenne, a Walloon municipality of Belgium located in the Ardennes. The rolling stock in HO scale consists of tram engines (steam dummy or dummy engine), steam tramways and steam locomotives, which were used for transportation in Belgium in the last century. Furthermore, Rudi Nelissen built a porphyry quarry on the right side of the model railway layout, where the typical cobblestones in the Ardennes were produced. There are several steam-cranes that were used in the quarries at that time. These cranes are self-built in brass and are fully functional. Apart from that, it's a beautiful landscape modeling.

Video #335#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qhU-jaeW8c

Montreux Oberland Bernois Model Railway - Model trains from Switzerland

The “Montreux Oberland Bernois Railway” is a famous narrow-gauge railway company, operating in Switzerland. It’s one of the oldest electric railways in Europe. The main line, 62.4 km (38.8 mi) in length, built to 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) gauge, connects the cities of Montreux, Gstaad and Zweisimmen. On the model railway layout, we can see the rail traffic at “Gstaad Railway Station”. We can also discover one of the most beautiful model trains, namely the “Golden Pass Panoramic Train” in original crystal panoramic livery. The model trains and locomotives are made by “BEMO” Company.

Video #334#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHiTX53Ym6I

British Model Railway Layout “Devonport Road” - CLAPHAM CLevedon And PortisHead Armchair Modellers

The British Modellers Club “CLAPHAM”, CLevedon And PortisHead Armchair Modellers, presented its OO gauge model railway layout, called “Devenport Road”, at the Warley National Model Railway Exhibition 2018 in Birmingham, Great Britain. As the name suggests, Devonport Road is based in the suburbs of Plymouth. The station was the junction of the Southern Railway withered arm into Plymouth and the Great Western branch to Cattewater. Passenger traffic is in the hands of diesel multiple units (DMU), but there is still substantial freight. The model railway layout is self-standing and occupies a footprint of 4,000 mm by 1,800 mm or 14 feet by 6 feet, including operator area and access and stock storage area. In June 2017, the layout became an award winning model railway layout at the Shepton Mallet show.

Video #333#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRLbS226dqA

One of the finest and most famous model railroad layouts in the United States in HO scale

If you’re asking model railroaders and railway enthusiasts in the United States, where to find one of the most outstanding model railroad layouts, they will probably answer, this is the “Piermont Division” made by Howard Zane. In fact, the “Piermont Division” is a superb HO scale permanent display layout, constructed to museum quality. Howard Zane’s 2,850 square foot model railroad layout, showcasing his artistry in model railroad building and rail modeling, is acclaimed as one of the finest and largest private layouts. There are over 22 scale miles of track, historically accurate architecture, overwhelming landscapes and of course America’s greatest steam locomotives. Although fictional, the “Piermont Division” is filled with scenes and structures you would swear you have seen before. For decades, rail modeler Howard Zane has produced scratch built, custom structures of all kinds in HO scale and O scale for model railroads. Apart from Howard Zane’s Piermont Division, there are many other beautiful layouts in our little world of model trains. Pilentum Television would like to visit every single layout and record on video, but a trip from Germany, where Pilentum Television is based, to the US is far too expensive. Therefore, Forrest Nace, a videographer from the US, provided Pilentum Television with some exquisite video footage. Forrest made a documentary about the “Piermont Division”, which is available on https://nacesvideography.com. In this movie we see some short video sequences from his documentary.

Video #332#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96S1lF_CsIs

Trains and Locomotives from Marklin

Enjoy these locomotives and model trains from Marklin.

Video #331#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGEvUllEP6s

Model railroad of the old port of Antwerp - “Voorde Dok” by Samuel de Zutter and Wouter de Troyer

At the great model railway exhibition “Modelspoor Expo” in Belgium, Samuel de Zutter and Wouter de Troyer presented a beautiful model train layout in HO scale, H0 gauge or 1/87 scale. The layout is called “Voorde Dok”, and depicts a dock that could have been located at the old port of Antwerp in the 1950s to 1960s. Samuel de Zutter and Wouter de Troyer are known for their model railroad layouts which usually contain countless details. Nothing comes out of the box. Warehouses and factories are scratch-built and weathered to bring it to a lifelike state. Therefore, the crane, the locomotives, the ships and much more are of course not free of rust. Enjoy this masterpiece of railway modelling which was built by sanding, polishing, painting, weathering and distressing by forming dents and rust, dust, etc.

Video #330#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gtBgAyuRUA

Industrial scene with coal tippler - Model Railway Layout “Central Works” - Luton Model Railway Club

Pilentum was capturing only some scenes of this superb O Gauge model railway layout. The layout “Central Works” is being shown as a layout under construction, because it is the latest project of the Gauge 0 Section of the Luton Model Railway Club. The layout comprises an industrial scene featuring a car assembly plant. There are two segments: The mainline exchange sidings and the industrial section of the factory complex. Traffic for the factory arrives in the form of raw materials and is exchanged into the works via the industrial locomotives. The location is based on the intense network of sidings that once existed at Longbridge in Birmingham. A feature of this layout is a working coal tippler which provides fuel from loaded wagons to the plant boiler house.

Video #329#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klo2ZAFB0eA

Train ride through a miniature world of the former industrial Ruhr district in Germany

In this video, we are not the train driver, but a passenger. We look out the window and enjoy the train journey along an incredibly large model railway layout. This model railroad depicts heart of Germany’s coal and steel industry, the so-called Ruhr district. The layout was constructed in HO scale and covers an area of more than 420 square meters. On the layout, there are many well-known buildings of this former industrial region, for example, steelworks, blast furnaces and factories.

Video #328#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCYwbQT7WHA

Model trains from Switzerland crossing the railroad bridge HOn3½

This model railroad layout depicts a narrow-gauge railway line in Switzerland. Trains leave the fiddle yard from either the left or right side and have to cross the huge railway viaduct. Many railway lines in Switzerland are built as meter-gauge railways. These are narrow-gauge railroads with track gauge of 1000 millimeters or one meter or approximately 3 feet. In Europe, especially in Germany, the “BEMO” Company is the market leader for scale models of Swiss locomotives, passenger coaches, freight cars and trains in this narrow-gauge scale. The scale is still 1/87, but it’s called HOn3½.

Video #327#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pJQev93wHk

Heworth Sidings - Modular Exhibition N Gauge Model Railway Layout - Yorkshire Area Society

At Warley MRE Mark Hancock and members of the Yorkshire Area Group of the N Gauge Society presented their modular model railway layout, called “Heworth Sidings”. This model railroad is a fictitious modern image layout and is named after the local area in York. The layout models a twin track overhead electrified main line. The main line is busy and sees a constant flow of freight and passenger movements, the latter being a mix of Intercity and local traffic. The layout is 28 feet by 10 feet and allows to run scale length modern image block trains. Model trains are controlled via DCC. There is a working signalling system which uses track block detection to make sure the correct signal aspects are shown at any time. The main line is operated via computer control: Laptops are despatching and receiving the trains.

Video #326#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RS3KeC47DbM

N Gauge Model Railway Layout Wickwar by Farnham & District Model Railway Club

Wickwar is a small town on the railway line between Bristol and Gloucester. The model railway layout was constructed by the members of the Farnham & District Model Railway Club in N Gauge. The layout is modelled as it was around the early to mid 1950s. As well as local trains, there were many long distance expresses with destinations such as Plymouth, Bournemouth, Manchester, Bradford and Newcastle. Goods trains were mostly to or from Bristol or Avonmouth docks. Motive power was mainly LMR tender locos. To the south-west (left side) the line comes out of a tunnel and along the side of a valley. To the north-east (right side) it starts to cross the valley. All the buildings are scratch built. Next to the tunnel is the large brewery, built by the railway company to replace existing breweries whose water supply the tunnel cut through. At the period modelled, it had become a cider factory which later closed but has now reopened as the “Wickwar Brewing Company”. Each of the two tracks can operate on DC or DCC. The fiddle yard has three roads in each direction, each divided into sections so that 24 model trains can be stored. The backscene was “photoshopped” from photographs of the real location and printed on vinyl. The movement of trains in the fiddle yard is automated using MERG “Train On Track Indicators” (TOTI) detectors which work with both DC and DCC. Points, signals, and the car system are controlled by servo motors; the signals are operated automatically as trains pass. Lorries and buses run along the front using the Faller moving vehicle system.

Video #325#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfKxpS18-5Y

Toy Trains in N Scale - Model Railway Layout from the 1990’s - Germany

While watching the first seconds of this video, you will immediately realize that this model railroad layout in N scale is more than 25 years old. This N gauge model railway layout was constructed by a teacher in the 1990’s in Germany. When Hermann Frantz started model railroading, there were neither DCC software nor decoders or track occupancy detectors. Because he had very little space in his apartment, he chose the smallest scale for railway modelling, namely 1/160 scale. He constructed a base plate of 2.6 m x 2.0 m. For using several toy trains on the tracks, he chose the latest model train control system at that time. It was the “MpC System” published by Gahler + Ringstmeier. It is a program for multiple train operations which is running on MS DOS. For laying model railroad tracks, he was using the N Scale FlexTrack made by PECO.

Video #324#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_nQVhhAmNs

Passenger trains on the superb model railway layout “Westbrook” in N scale or N gauge by Paul Butler

At the great Warley Model Railway Show, Paul Butler presented his superb model train layout built in N scale or N gauge. The layout depicts a fictitious midlands industrial town on a busy cross country route, which is served by local and long distance passenger services. Beside the station for passenger trains, there is a rail served terminal on part of the site of the old goods yard receiving regular trip workings and occasional block loads for onward distribution by road.

Video #323#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ryryf6nAxU

The France Vacation Model Railroad Layout in HO scale - A Masterpiece of Railway Modelling

Some model railway layouts are so authentically built, so we believe that we are in a real world. The model railroad layout, which is called “Saint Tourbière”, is one of these miniature worlds. This masterpiece of model railroading was constructed by Wim Wijnhoud, a railway modeller from the Netherlands. During discovering this model landscape in HO scale, it feels like we are on holiday in France. This beautiful layout takes 10.5 meters in length and 2.5 meters in width. The landscape is based on a single-track railway line through the Cévennes - a range of mountains in south-central France. The village of Saint Tourbière is a picturesque town, with an old church and with a nice market square. On the market square, there are some bars, restaurants and shops. Down in the valley, the railway station of Saint Tourbière is located. The station has two platforms, a freight yard and a small locomotive depot including a turntable. Model trains arriving and departing at the station, which is located between the mountains, have to cross bridges, tunnels and viaducts.

Video #322#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzpDRfrLl3s

Model Railroad Layout in O Scale with Narrow Gauge Steam Locomotives and Diesel Railcars

This modular model railroad layout was built in O scale or gauge 0 by the German model railroader Wolfgang Zörkler. The layout depicts a former narrow-gauge branch line somewhere in East-Germany. Therefore, there are diesel railcars and steam locomotives, for example, the famous “Saxon IV K” locomotive - an eight-wheeled, narrow gauge, steam engine built for the Royal Saxon State Railways. These types of locomotives were built between 1892 and 1921. The model trains commute on a length of ten meters between the two stations “Reichelsheim” (on the left side of the layout) and “Altbrandsleben” (on the right side of the layout). Furthermore, there is a small field railway section with a fully functioning sand loading system. Apart from the rail traffic, there are many, beautiful details on this layout.

Video #321#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjOD-QGjnAI

Industrial Scene Model Railway Layout “Mulldale” in O scale - Letchworth Model Railway Society

Founded in 1981, the Letchworth Model Railway Society is one of the leading model railway clubs in Eastern England. The club’s O scale layout “Mulldale” depicts an industrial scene somewhere in Northern England in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. Mulldale is a 7 mm or 1/43 scale industrial scene incorporating 16.5 mm track (narrow gauge). The railway serves to move raw materials and goods around the site for the Mulldale Brewery and other small businesses. The model landscape is both kit built and scratch built. The layout size takes 12 feet x 3 feet.

Video #320#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZj0rNzbG3E

Model Railway HO Scale from Germany with Catenary for the Electric Locomotives

In this video, we are going to discover one of the most impressive model railways which was presented at the great model railway exhibition in Leipzig, Germany, in October 2018. The model railway layout is called “Bad Clausthal” and was constructed in HO scale or H0 gauge by the model railway association Friedrich List Leipzig, Germany. It is a nearly 15 -meter-long railroad layout containing a catenary system or overhead lines on its main lines.

Video #319#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74MCOefxqJg

Superb On30 Model Railroad Layout “Mara Harbor” by Martin Welberg

The model railroad layout, called “Mara Harbor”, was built by Martin Welberg. Martin is a well-known model builder and model railroader in the Netherlands. His interests in model railroading or railway modelling are coastal narrow gauge railroads in On30 scale. Some years ago, Martin started building a new modular model train show layout for the famous model railway exhibition OntraX 2014 in Utrecht, Netherlands. His idea was to construct a coastal line railroad layout, including an engine shed and locomotive depot with turntable, wooden bridges as well as a lot of trees and bushes. Of course, a dock or dockyard - also known as a shipyard - should not be missing. On Martin’s superb American themed On30 layout, we see different steam locomotives shunting along the coastal railway line between the fiddle yard on the left and the dockyard on the right. The whole layout, which was presented at the great “Modelspoor Expo 2018” in Belgium, takes approximately eight meters in length. Apart from the rolling stock, we will discover absolutely perfect weathered buildings on Martin’s railway layout. He is a professional in weathering and in the reconstruction of wood structures. By the way, On30 scale - also called 0n30, On 2½ or Oe gauge - is the modelling of narrow gauge railways in O scale on HO gauge track in 1/48 scale ratio by American model railroaders, in 1/43.5 scale ratio by British and French model railroaders and 1/45 by Continental European model railroaders.

Video #318#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UzZW_rsoRc

The Tram of Westerlo - Model Railroad Diorama with tramways by Modelspoorclub de Kempen

This beautiful model railroad layout, called “The Tram of Westerlo”, was built by the Modelspoorclub de Kempen from Belgium. Westerlo is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Antwerp. More than 100 years ago, the municipality had a tram connection, namely the Tram Line 275, which connected Aerschot and Westerlo. This tram line - some say tramway, streetcar or trolley car - was opened in 1911. On the Westerlo market square, there were four tracks in the beginning of the 20th century. The model railway layout is based on photographs from books and postcards about Westerlo. The diorama provides an overview of the houses on the south side, near the market square.

Video #317#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=citQfnLYIFE

British Model Railway Layout “Thornbury Hill” in OO gauge with Cab Ride along the Main Line

When Pilentum was at the wonderful model railway exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham, Warley Model Train Show, he was warmly welcomed by the Burgess Hill Model Railway Club and its members of the Thornbury Hill Owners Group. We had a good time playing with the model trains, we filmed many scenes and we made a cab ride video along the main line. The Thornbury Hill model railway layout began life in 1970 as the main OO gauge layout of the Burgess Hill MRC. In March 1986, the model railroad layout was described in the “Railway Modeller Magazine”. The layout model, set in the 1930’s - just prior to the main line electrification - was intended to represent a section of the London Victoria - Brighton mainline. It was not intended to represent a particular station. In 1991 the layout was sold to the present owners, who added the third rail and moved the period forward to the 1960’s, which allows using steam, diesel and electric trains. After the reconstruction, the layout depicts Thornbury Hill station with the four track main line merging into two, a goods yard and a non-electrified branch line. The track is to OO fine scale standards and is hand built; the signals are all operational and interlocked with the points. The station buildings are based on London, Brighton & South Coast Railway designs, with the canopies copied from East Croydon and the signal boxes based on the prototypes at Eastbourne and Seaford. On the model railway layout there is an intensive service of main line and suburban electric trains supplemented by steam or diesel hauled goods, parcels and special trains. The layout requires eight operators and requires a space 41 feet by 9 feet in total.

Video #316#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILHcIh2N60o

Cab ride along one of the largest model train layouts about Germany’s coal and steel industry

In 2008 this superb model railway layout was opened in the city of Oberhausen, located directly in the heart of Germany’s coal and steel industry, the so-called Ruhr area. Then, this permanent model railway exhibition represented cities, landscapes, steelworks, coal mines and the rail transport in the 1970‘s. The model railroad layout was constructed in HO scale or H0 gauge and covered an area of more than 420 square meters. Due to financial problems, this model railroad exhibit was closed two years after the opening. Fortunately in September 2012, this large model railway layout was sold to a new owner, who re-installed the whole layout and made it accessible to visitors again. Today, this fine layout is a part of the railway museum, called „Modellbahnwelt Odenwald“, located near Frankfurt/Main, Germany. The miniature world was built according to original track plans, stations and landscapes, for example, the Oberhausen central station, the port of Dortmund, the blast furnace plant of Oberhausen, colliery and coking plants. On the layout, there are many replicas of well-known buildings in the Ruhr area. Furthermore, a special highlight is the photorealistic background system of the model landscape. The model railroad was designed as a two-wire digital system, which is used by model trains of Fleischmann, Roco and from many other manufacturers, except Märklin. Locomotives, light effects and trains are managed by the digital model railway control system „TrainController“. Enjoy Pilentum’s train journey of at least 80 minutes on a several kilometers long track system.

Video #315#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJHqWAa3fUw

Model Railway Layout with Steam Locomotive and Diesel Railcars from Prussia in HO Scale

This modular model railway layout in HO scale was constructed by the German model railroader Dr. Franz Rittig. The layout depicts a former narrow-gauge branch line, which was operated in the 1960’s at the time of the Deutsche Reichsbahn (German Reich Railways). The model trains commute between the two stations “Franzburg” and “Friedrichsruhe”. On the layout there are Prussian steam locomotives, class T9 of the Prussian State Railways, later incorporated into DRG Class 91, and a diesel railcar, type VT 135. Buildings, elaborately weathered, were taken from Auhagen and Kibri. The rolling stock was made by Fleischmann (steam locos) and by PMT manufacturer, Germany.

Video #314#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRtV3FSUd0w

Warley National Model Railway Exhibition 2018 - The Superb Model Train Show at NEC Birmingham

In November 2018, Pilentum Television visited the 26th Warley National Model Railway Exhibition at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, Great Britain, for the first time. Pilentum was overwhelmed by the multitude of the model railway layouts and dioramas. There were more than 90 of the best layouts of British railway modelling and international model railroading in any scale and gauge. As you know, Pilentum Television is from Germany. In Germany we have also large model railway exhibitions, where model railroad layouts are presented. But usually there are about ten or twelve layouts at German model train exhibits. In the Netherlands, for example, there is a larger model train show, namely the “Eurospoor”, where about 30 or 40 layouts are presented. In Belgium, every two years there is the “Modelspoor Expo” with nearly more than 50 layouts and dioramas. However, what Pilentum saw at Warley Show was really one of the biggest, largest, greatest, most beautiful and entertaining exhibitions. Anyone interested in railway modelling should visit the Warley model train show. For those, who could not travel to Birmingham, Pilentum Television made this video documentary on YouTube. Enjoy these 100 minutes of video and find it both interesting and inspiring for your railway modelling.

Video #313#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeGJUlzX_sI

Gorbriton Hill O gauge or 7mm scale model train layout at Warley Model Railway Show in 2018

At Warley Model Railway Show in 2018 the Somerset Railway Modellers Club (SRMC) presented its beautiful model train layout in O gauge, 7mm scale or O scale. The model railway layout depicts a branch line which terminates at one of the many ubiquitous seaside towns found along the coast of Great Britain. This initially independent line was opened in 1855 by the Gorbriton and Wilsea railway company. The branch was 15 miles long beginning at Gorbriton Hill station, continuing through, Wilsea and Holbeach stations before ending at a connection with the Midland main line. Up to its demise under the Beeching Axe in 1966 Gorbriton Hill was a mecca for railway enthusiasts as it was uniquely placed, being a terminus for Great Western, Southern and Midland passenger and freight traffic. By the way, the “Beeching Axe” was a reduction of route network and restructuring of the railways in Great Britain. In reality of course Gorbriton Hill is a fictitious town, as is the associated branch line. The name Gorbriton is in fact an amalgam of three letters from the names of Gordon, Brian, Tony and Bill who are all members of the Somerset Railway Modellers Club. Nevertheless the model railroad layout has been built to fulfil two important criteria, to be of interest to the viewer and to run a range of rolling stock. The layout shall give an impression of the atmosphere that would have existed between 1932 and 1965 on the Gorbriton branch line. While watching this video, please note the unique scale model of the famous Leader Locomotive. The Leader was a class of experimental steam locomotive, produced in Great Britain to the design of the innovative engineer Oliver Bulleid. The Leader was an attempt to extend the life of steam traction by eliminating many of the operational drawbacks associated with existing steam locomotives. The design incorporated many novel features, such as the use of thermic siphons, bogies and cabs at each end of the locomotive, resulting in its unique modern diesel-like appearance. Unfortunately, the project was cancelled in the early 1950s. Five Leader locomotives were begun, although only one was completed. After all, this locomotive was being scrapped by 1951.

Video #312#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ntJKZgd3xk

Model Railroad Layout of the City of Tilff in Belgium - Very realistic railway modelling in HO scale

The model railway society, called “Artevelde Miniatuur Spoorweg Amateurs Club” (AMSAC), located in the city of Ghent, Belgium, is one of Belgium’s leading club in rail transport modelling. For building their latest HO scale model railroad layout the members were inspired by the railway station of the city of Tilff in Belgium. If you are using “Google Earth” or “Google Maps”, and if you are looking for the train station in “Tilff” in Belgium, you will see a very special building, namely a huge protective wall, directly located beside the main line near the river. This double-track railway line and the wall at the railway station are the focus in this model train layout. Therefore, the French speaking members of AMSAC call their model railway layout “LeMur”, meaning “The Wall” in English. The HO club layout was built especially for model train exhibitions. The layout has a length of about ten meters and depicts the main line along the river Ourthe in the Ardennes in Wallonia, Belgium.

Video #311#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MG2FeH4VNbM

Duxbury OO Gauge Model Railway Layout by the Leamington & Warwick MRS - Warley Model Train Show 2018

The Leamington & Warwick Model Railway Society presented its OO gauge or 4mm/ft scale club layout at the great Warley National Model Railway Exhibition 2018. The model railway layout is made up of ten 2 feet x 4 feet plywood baseboards giving an overall dimension of 16 feet x 8 feet. The mainline and branch leave their fiddle yards and curve round into the main station area, passing the engine shed, turntable and LT storage sidings on the right. The station has one bay platform with a run round, two through platforms and a loop platform which normally serves the branch but can hold other down trains to let express trains pass. Behind the branch platform is a small three road parcels and sundry goods depot. The two track main line leaves the station and curves back around into the fiddle yard. Track is a mixture of flexible track by Scale Model Productions Marcway and copper clad construction points and crossovers - all Code 75. Signalling is a variety of colour light and semaphore. All points and signals are electrically remote controlled. During the past twelve months the members of the Leamington & Warwick Model Railway Society have completely rewired the model railroad layout and it now operates under the MERG electronics system, which has enhanced the operational reliability of the layout immensely. The model train layout can also operate under DCC control to further display the versatility of the Model Electronic Railway Group (MERG) system. The miniature world of Duxbury Station is loosely based on Aylesbury in 1960. Aylesbury was the one time terminus for the Metropolitan Railway trains from Aldgate, Liverpool Street and Baker Street with a bay being provided for the purpose. These trains were electrically hauled to Rickmansworth where a BR locomotive would take over. However, with the extension of electrification to Amersham, the Aylesbury service was discontinued in the early 1960's. During railway modelling the club layout the members imagined, that London Transport extended the 3rd and 4th rail all the way to Aylesbury. This way on the club layout are running both electrically hauled LT trains using the famous Metropolitan Bo-Bo's as well as the Underground units. Furthermore, there are steam trains, albeit in BR guise, as well as diesel and electric trains.

Video #310#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SJb86nF-oQ

Haversham Central Model Railway Layout by John Dowrick N Gauge - Warley Exhibition 2018

When Pilentum visited the great Warley National Model Railway Exhibition 2018, he met John Dowrick presenting his first ever layout built in N Gauge or N scale, which he called “Haversham Central”. In reality, Haversham is a tiny village where John lives, near to Milton Keynes and very close to the west coast mainline. His layout depicts a fictitious city, set loosely in the early 1960s. The layout is a DC operation and shows just how much can be achieved in such a relatively small area, because the layout takes 5 ft x 2 ft x 9 inches. Despite the size, “Haversham Central” successfully depicts a very busy city setting with model trains coming and going from various parts of the country, for example, the blue Midland Pullman, Golden Arrow and even the Brighton Belle. Behind and near the station, there is also the opportunity to do some shunting in both the goods area and the engine sheds.

Video #309#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5zx9JoB9BQ

Model Railway Layout “The Train of the River Moder in Alsace” by Hubert and Laurent Bertrand

Hubert and Laurent Bertrand are two model railroaders from Alsace, France. They are father and son, and great enthusiasts of miniature trains, for example, steam locomotives, electric locomotives or diesel locomotives. In the last years, they constructed a modular model railway layout in HO scale, which is called “Le Train de la Moder” in French, meaning something like “The Train of the River Moder”. Without any doubt we can point out by watching the architecture of the buildings, that the model landscape is based on the valley of the Moder, a small river near the river Rhine, in the north of Alsace, France. The construction of this model railroad layout began more than ten years ago, when Hubert Bertrand inspired his son Laurent in railway modelling, model railroading and model making. The design of their modular model railway based on a dog-bone layout. It is built in eight removable elements and transportable segments with a full length of approximately 13 meters. These modules are made of cleats and plywood. The model landscape is made from wire mesh coated with plasterboard glue. Furthermore, products - made by manufacturers Noch, Heki and Busch - were used for landscaping. In this miniature world, there are an Alsatian village, a viaduct, tunnels, a traditional architecture with half-timbered houses and pink sandstone of the Vosges and much more. All the buildings are made by hand. There are also 30 meters of rails in HO scale for different locomotives circulating on the railway lines.

Video #308#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lu37eUbmRUI

TT Scale Trains - Model Railway with Rolling Stock of Tillig, PIKO, Hornby and Peresvet (Пересвет)

This model railway layout in TT scale was constructed by the club “Modelleisenbahn Freunde Köln” (Model Railway Friends of Cologne), a German model railroader association. Within the association, a special department has emerged, called the “Modellbau-Team Köln” (Railway Modelling Team Cologne). This team has focused on the construction of model railroad layouts, which are shown at model train shows and model train exhibitions throughout Europe. The team’s TT gauge layout takes an area of about eight meters in length and four meters in width. The layout can be viewed by visitors both from the front and from the back. Due to the separation of front and back two different landscapes can be represented, namely on the one hand a rural part with a single track railway and a small station and on the other hand an urban shaped part with a large central main station and electrified main line. In addition, there are imposing railway bridges. Today, TT scale is a niche model railroading scale, whose name stands for “table top”. Its 1/120 scale and 12 mm gauge sizes it almost halfway between HO scale and N scale. Model trains in TT scale retain a comparatively small niche in the United States and in the United Kingdom, but it is the second most popular scale in the former East Germany, in Eastern Europe and Russia. Currently Tillig is the largest company to make TT scale rolling stock. Most TT scale track today is also made by Tillig Company, which offers both standard model railroad track and an integrated roadbed track. By the way, the Russian Company Peresvet (Russian: Пересвет) is another manufacturer, who produces TT scale models, mostly Russian train sets. Also the German manufacturer PIKO has started with a TT line, focusing mainly on German stock, and Arnold - the subsidiary of Hornby Railways - offers TT scale models.

Video #307#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4PTTac21Dw

O Scale Trains at the Dresden Transport Museum by Pilentum Television

Pilentum really likes the very large o gauge model railway layout at the Transport Museum in Dresden, Germany. The model railway, the landscape and the rolling stock contain so much history because the railroad system in O scale was originally used by East German railway engineers as a training area. Some locomotives are custom-made. They are absolutely unique. Let’s discover this model railroad layout which takes nearly 325 square meters. Please, listen to the authentic sound when trains pass by.

Video #306#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJOXPciHSFM

N Scale Model Train Layout - Modular Model Railroad from Germany with Diesel Locomotives

This modular model railway layout was constructed by the German model railroader Karl-Heinz Friedel. In October 2018, he presented his N gauge layout at the famous model railway exhibition in Leipzig, Germany. Karl-Heinz started railway modelling in 1994. At that time, the first two segments were constructed. In 1995, he built two additional modules. Thus, the N scale layout grew year by year up to 28 segments with a total length of more than 29 meters. The basic framework of the model railroad layout, which is called “Karlsberg”, consists of 16 mm thick blockboard panels. The rails are laid on a 3 mm cork track bed or cork rail bed made by Tillig Company, Germany. In total, there are 105 meters of Roco rails and Peco tracks. Railway signals and Semaphore signals are made by Viessmann Company, Germany. The railway lines were also equipped with start-up and brake decoders from Uhlenbrock Company, Germany. These decoders are responsible for a smooth start and realistic braking of model trains. The N gauge layout by Karl-Heinz Friedel was built in the style of the German railway epoch III (1945-1970) and epoch IV (1965-1990), because it allows a larger variety of train sets for driving. While model railroading Karl-Heinz spends great importance to authenticity: Because no catenary is installed on the layout, no electric locomotives are used.

Video #305#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIqJLhSaszU

Steam Loco Test Run at the Rimkov Locomotive Works

This award-winning model railway diorama is called “Rimkov Locomotive Works”. It was built by the model railroaders Rik Martens and Koen Vermeulen in 1/32 scale. “Rimkov” is a fantasy name, though the layout was inspired by the Rugby locomotive testing station in the United Kingdom. Inside the factory a steam loco is running on a locomotive testing plant, and after the steam loco has reached its maximum speed, all steam valves are opened.

Video #304#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4uffgNWThQ

The Circular Railway of Paris - La Petite Ceinture - Model Railroad Diorama by François Joyau

In the 19th century, when the first railway lines were constructed in Paris, France, there was a circular railway to connect the different suburbs. Then this circular railway was called “Chemin de fer de Petite Ceinture”, also known as “La Petite Ceinture” in Paris. Serving first as a freight-only line, then developing into a passenger service, the circular railway became Paris’ first metro-like urban transport system. Since its last year of passenger service in 1934 the railway lines are mostly abandoned. Today, people, who like so-called lost places or abandoned places, can enjoy some of the remaining tracks and stations. Because of the special meaning of this railroad for the city of Paris, François Joyau built a small piece of this circular railway in HO scale. His model railway layout, named “57 bis Rue Eiffefe”, takes about 200 cm x 60 cm, and depicts beautiful weathered buildings, backyards and streets.

Video #303#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxcOivQGSak

British Model Trains at the Marshalling Yard or Classification Yard in OO Gauge

This model railway display was built by Frank Bunnik from Belgium. His little model railroad diorama is called “Albion Yard”, and it represents a railway yard somewhere in Great Britain. There are British model trains in OO gauge or OO scale - also spelled 00 gauge and 00 scale. This 1/76 scale is the most popular standard-gauge for model railway tracks in the United Kingdom. Frank’s model railway layout is not very big: The diorama is about three feet in width and about one foot in depth. There are several tracks that are mainly used for shunting or switching diesel locomotives and freight cars.

Video #302#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgwSuPWgGiw

U.S. Navy model ship and model boat diorama of Omaha Beach

Today, we are going to discover an extraordinary diorama. This miniature world of model ships, model boats or model shipways was constructed by the Shipbuilding Club MBV Hofstade, Belgium. This diorama is called “Omaha Beach, Normandy, June 1944” and depicts the famous Omaha Beach after the military conquest by US troops in World War II. It takes about five meters in width and approximately three meters in depth including a real water basin. There are floating pontoons connected by bridge elements with larger pontoons, which are used as jetties for the supply ships and warships. In front of the beach, there are landing ships and tank landing ships (LST) with open bow ramps. There are also Liberty ships, a class of cargo ships built in the United States during World War II. By the way, Pilentum does not want to change its focus from model railway construction to military vehicle modeling, miniature figure modeling or aircraft modeling. Pilentum was just fascinated by this little water world and would like to share this video with you.

Video #301#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLHZxRLn7Lg

One of the finest model railway layouts of Belgium's most famous model railroader Ivo Schraepen

If you know about the European railway modelling scene, then you have probably heard of Ivo Schraepen. He is a very famous rail transport modeller from Belgium, who specializes in the construction of very large model railway layouts in HO scale. He is present at every big model railway exhibition in Europe, and presents his exceptionally beautiful railroad layouts. One of his great layouts is called “Kempenland”. It is a double-sided layout of more than 20 square meters of model landscape. Double-sided means, visitors can view the miniature world from both the front and the back. On the front, there is a large Belgian main station with a lot of railway traffic, and on the back, there is a rural region, partly with industrial buildings and with a railway depot. Ivo Schraepen’s layout was built in 2008 but has been thoroughly modernized. After ten years a lot has changed, for example, the railway lines are fully electrified and completely digitized. Furthermore locomotives, trains and buildings are weathered. The model railroad layout “Kempenland” was inspired by the natural region “Campine” (French) or “De Kempen” (Dutch), situated chiefly in north-eastern Belgium and parts of the south-eastern Netherlands. Furthermore, the layout has been built according impressions from the railway line from Hasselt to Leuven in Belgium.

Video #300#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYJsVOoGkLs

Model Railroad Diorama of Cuba and Sugarcane Harvesting Narrow Gauge Field Railway

Today, we are going to make a journey to the island of Cuba. In the Caribbean there is a special season, namely the sugarcane harvesting season. It is called “Zafra”, and it runs from January through May. The term Zafra became well-known internationally during the 1960s due to its importance in Cuba. Therefore, we see a narrow gauge field railway running along crooked rails somewhere in the Caribbean rainforest. This special season has been picked up by a German model railroader, Wolfgang Stößer. Cuba and the beautiful landscape, the nature and also the palm trees were inspiration to start model railroading. On this little model railroad diorama we are at the Viñales Valley in Cuba. Sugarcane and other crops are cultivated on the bottom of the valley, mostly by traditional agriculture techniques. Many caves dot the surrounding hill faces. Finally, the Viñales Valley is a major tourist destination. The area of the diorama has a size of approximately 210 cm x 90 cm. The model landscape was made with “Plastiform”, a modeling compound. Trees and bushes are products which are made by the German company “Noch” but they were weathered by a special spraying technology. Some of the palm trees were bought by the Dutch company “Anita Decor”; some palm trees were handmade. The rolling stock, for example the steam locomotive and the railcar, was rebuilt from standard gauge to narrow gauge, HO scale. Additionally, locomotives and vehicles were weathered, too.

Video #299#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_XSiyKusBg

Superb Forest Model Railway and Sawmill in Narrow Gauge HO scale by Laurent Vandermotte

It is probably very difficult for a model railroader to build a forest railway, forest tram, timber line, logging railway or logging railroad. In this context, the biggest challenge may be the realistic modelling of the trees, bushes and grasses. Laurent Vandermotte from Belgium has taken up this challenge: At the great model railway exhibition “Modelspoor Expo” he presented his model train diorama depicting a sawmill or lumber mill and a little freight train running on narrow gauges. While watching this model railroad display we recognize, the small steam train is not the focus. On a surface of about 1.0 meter in width and about 0.5 meters in depth there are loving details, for example, the lumberjack, beavers in the river or the night simulation.

Video #298#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ll_a88kPwc

Model Railway Diorama “Les Robertmonts - Rue des Thermes” in HO scale by Pascal Hubert

In October 2018, Pascal Hubert presented his superb model railway layout in HO scale at the great model railway exhibition “Modelspoor Expo”. The model train diorama is based on the C Track rail system by Märklin. Pascal Hubert calls his model railroad display “Les Robertmonts - Rue des Thermes”. It is a railway station with passenger trains and freight trains of the National Railway Company of Belgium (SNCB). In Belgium, the “Robertmonts” are known for the quality of their spring waters since Roman times. Since that time, a famous spa resort developed. The spa resort became even better known when it was connected to the Belgian railway network. Spa guests travel by train and stay in the Palace Hotel, a luxury hotel next to the train station. However, something like that was common in the 1950s. Exactly this historic atmosphere was recreated by Pascal Hubert in his little miniature world. The construction of his model railway began in November 2017. The trains are controlled by an Esu ECos II model railway controller. Feedback is ensured by the Viessmann S88 feedback decoder with track occupancy detector. On his diorama, for example, there are a diesel locomotive SNCB (Marklin), a steam locomotive type 64 SNCB and a locomotive Type 26 SNCB.

Video #297#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ywL3FyDa7U

Amazing French Model Railroad Diorama Mouville by Henk Wust and Jan van Mourik

Usually, we love very large model railway layouts, so model trains have a lot of space. But the model railroad display made by Henk Wust and Jan van Mourik from Belgium is limited to an area of 80 cm x 80 cm only. That’s approximately 31.5 inches x 31.5 inches. Henk Wust and Jan van Mourik call their little model train diorama “Mouville” which was presented in the magazine “Train Miniature Magazine” and “Continental Modeller”. It is a tribute to all the beautiful, pretty, small and charming villages of France in 1/87 scale. Therefore, the both model railway enthusiasts reproduced small station and a goods hall located on a narrow-gauge regional railway line with a rail spacing of 9 mm. Furthermore, there is a village on a hill with pretty beautiful roads and houses. The original rural charm of any small French village was copied exactly from reality to this little diorama.

Video #296#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDrqpT4Fk2I

50 Ultra Realistic Model Railway Layouts - Model Railroad Exhibition “Modelspoor Expo” in Belgium

Every two years the great model railway exhibition “Modelspoor Expo” is organized by the publisher of Belgium’s biggest model railroad magazine, called “Modelspoormagazine” (Dutch) or “Train Miniature Magazine” (French). The “Modelspoor Expo” is the largest exhibition for railway modelling and model railroading in Belgium. In October 2018, Pilentum was there for the first time, and he could not believe it: There were more than 50 high quality model train dioramas, model railroad displays and model railway layouts.

Video #295#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf8c_JXQI84

The Little Model Tramway in the Province of Namur in Belgium by Jan Martens

When Pilentum visited the great model railway exhibition “Modelspoor Expo” in Belgium on the last weekend, he met Jan Martens, a very nice Belgian model railroader. I guess, Jan is fascinated by trams, tramways and narrow gauge railways. So he decided to create a nice model railroad layout of a former tramway in the province of Namur in Belgium. He calls his model railway display “Le Vicinal á Vresse”. This means something like “The tramway line at the city of Vresse” in the English language. You have to know, the “Tramways Vicinaux” or “Buurtspoorwegen” were a system of narrow-gauge tramways and local railway lines in Belgium, which covered the whole country. In the last century, these tramways had a greater route length than the mainline railway system. The model railway layout of Jan Martens was inspired by tramway line no. 553 of the national Vicinal tramway company, which was opened in the beginning of the last century. The layout is more of an impression of “how the railway line could have been” than an original presentation of “how the railway line really once was”. However, the intention is to show the atmosphere of the Ardennes in the 1930’s with the tramways cruising between small villages and beautiful landscapes.

Video #294#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8mrR_aeUfo

Superb Model Railway made by French Railroad Enthusiasts

Today, we are going to make a journey to France. At the great model railway exhibition in Leipzig, Germany, the French model railroad club “Amis du Rail 67” presented its beautiful layout built in HO scale. On the modular railway layout, there are one large railway line in HO scale, two railway lines in narrow gauge, and a miniature street for vehicles of the famous Faller Car system. The whole display takes approximately 15 meters in length and 5 meters in width. Pilentum was absolutely fascinated by the good work, how buildings and trees and the landscape were modeled. Furthermore, the background consists of a beautiful painting. I guess, the background image was painted by Patrice Hamm, a famous artist in railway modelling. The model railroading club and its members created a very special atmosphere: The landscape is not overcrowded with gimmicks. It is a simple, but very beautiful landscape including a small town with half-timbered buildings. But the most important thing, of course, is the rail transport traffic. On the main line of the railway, we can discover a lot of the finest steam locomotives and steam trains used by the French State Railway. There are also some diesel locomotives and, for example, the famous French railcar. Therefore, there is no catenary, because the French model railroaders do not prefer high-speed trains, only steam trains and freight trains. On the two narrow-gauge lines some ugly model trains running on two independent loops. Mostly, there are railcars for passenger traffic running between the small villages. Finally, there is also a miniature car system. There are trucks and buses driving behind the railway lines.

Video #293#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXJlRDjNNXg

One of Europe’s largest model railway exhibitions: The ArsTECNICA model railroad in H0 scale

We have to go back in time. In March 1997, one of the first and largest digital model railways in Europe was opened in Losheim, a small town on the border between Belgium and Germany. At that time, the model railroad exhibition was called “Euro Tecnica”. In the first years, a total of 800 meters of catenary and 1,200 meters of tracks in scale H0 were installed. Later, the railway network grew to 2,000 meters of tracks and the exhibition area of the model railway layout increased from 110 m² to 200 m². Also the name of the exhibition was changed. For several years, it is called “ArsTECNICA”. The model railway is digitally controlled via two PC systems. On the railway network there are 125 trains. 40 trains can drive at the same time, while the other trains are parked in waiting position in special shadow stations or hidden yards. For the system not the system of Märklin in alternating current (AC, three-wire), but the two-wire system in direct current (DC) is used, for example ROCO or FLEISCHMANN. For additional reality and movements, a car system is used on the model railroad display. This car system is built in 16 different sections. 20 vehicles can drive at the same time. In total, there are 40 vehicles, for example, trucks and cars and buses. The model railway layout presents typical features of Germany, especially of the Eifel region. The Eifel is a low mountain range in western Germany and eastern Belgium. Of course, there are also half-timbered houses, castles and palaces. The audience of Pilentum Television will recognize very quickly, that this model railroad is a bit older. The model trains are typical scale models of the railway era of the 1990's.

Video #292#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vusdq7N3vHo

The Superb Steam Locomotive on Mr. Porsche 's Garden Railway including Firing Up the Steam Engine

Behind the great “Porsche Traumwerk”, a toy and model railway museum in Southern Germany, there is Mr. Porsche’s very large garden railway. Some people say garden railroad, backyard railroad or miniature railway. Anyway, the rolling stock also includes a superb steam locomotive. The locomotive was built by some steam loco experts from Germany. During the train operation the steam locomotive runs with 8 bar boiler pressure and generates a performance of 4 horsepower. Often Pilentum Television was invited to make video recordings inside the “Porsche Traumwerk”, but in this case not the large model railroad in H0 scale but the great garden railway was to be in the focus, especially how to fire up the steam locomotive. After firing up the steam loco we made some very relaxing and beautiful cab rides along the tracks. Pilentum’s camera was installed on several positions on the locomotive. A very special camera angle is right in the driver's cab, immediately above the fire box. Porsche’s park railway consists of two large sections, more than 1.3 kilometers in total. This makes it one of the largest garden railways in Europe.

Video #291#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rz9CW-JRRbs

Oktoberfest in Munich - World's Largest Beer Festival and Funfair with Roller Coaster and Bumper Car

I guess, you must have heard about the famous “Oktoberfest”, the world’s largest beer festival and travelling funfair in Munich, Germany? This festival begins this weekend. Therefore, I had the idea, to make a funny video of model railway layouts or model railroad displays showing an amusement park, a funfair or a fairground. All these miniature worlds - presented in this video - are built in HO scale. But you should not only enjoy the video, but also learn something about Germany’s greatest beer festival. The Oktoberfest is held annually in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. It is a folk festival running from late September to the first weekend in October, with more than six million people from around the world attending the event every year. The festival is an important part of Bavarian culture, having been held since the year 1810. During the event, large quantities of beer are consumed. Apart from the biggest stupid things the Germans have done in their history, they have done something good for the world: Yes, they invented the beer. I can say that because I am a German myself. Usually, more than 8.0 million liters of beer were served during the festival. Furthermore, visitors also enjoy a lot of attractions, such as amusement rides, games, roller coasters, bumper cars and a wide variety of traditional foods. But it's true: There are many beer tents at the Oktoberfest. Inside these tents, traditional music, but also modern pop music is made, so that the visitors can party all night long.

Video #290#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfdn9ZaW7v8

Model Railway under Construction - Cab Ride and Train Driver ‘s View

This model railway in HO scale is still under construction. It is being built by a German model railroad club, called “Modellbahnclub Schmallenberg”. The layout has a size of 66 square meters and the railway tracks are made by Fleischmann. The length of the rails is nearly 600 meters. That is good enough for making a cab ride video in train driver’s view.

Video #289#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gGqJm5zHoA

Superb Modular Model Railroad Layout in HO Scale of York Railway in Pennsylvania

Pilentum would like to present this wonderful modular model railroad layout of a local short line in York, Pennsylvania. This model railway was built by Denis Arrufat. The York Rail, a subsidiary of Genesee & Wyoming Inc., and its freight trains gave inspiration to Denis to create a city limits layout based on scenes found along the original tracks. Normally, model railroaders define a city limits layout as a model railroad consisting of county and city boundaries including local industry. Doing rail transport modelling in this way is always a challenge for railway modellers: Houses, streets, facades, dirt and garbage on the roads as well as rust on the locomotives, cars, trains and coaches must be modeled. Finally, it is a special way of model railroading requiring a careful operation in weathering. With emphasis Denis built an authentic reproduction of this railway line serving the local industries in York, Pennsylvania, United States of America. The realistic atmosphere is amazing, for example, graffiti on the freight cars, rusty locomotives, broken fences, dirty tank cars, etc. To underline the impression of reality, Pilentum has added some original sounds and railway noises.

Video #288#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HN8J-hdfyZ4

Model Railway Cab Ride at the Porsche Model Railroad Museum on the Gotthard Railway in the Switzerland

At the large model railroad museum of Porsche, one of the finest model railways in the world is installed. The model railway layout presents three countries, namely Germany, Austria and Switzerland on 340 square meters. Pilentum had already made some cab ride videos with model trains at the Germany model railroad layout and at the Austria model railway display, but in this video our train travels through the wonderful railway world of the Gotthard Railway in Switzerland - and this model world is absolutely fascinating. With our Swiss locomotive, in which the camera is installed, we are going to discover 950 meters of Märklin railway tracks in HO scale. We are crossing 185 points or switches and we are passing 34 signals. During our train journey we will meet a lot of other train sets. Furthermore, we travel through the famous Gotthard Mountains. Our model train has to overcome a height difference of up to 3 meters by driving many track spirals or helices. We are going to reach three major railway stations in Switzerland, where passenger trains and freight trains are waiting for their departure. In addition, we are going to see famous buildings in Switzerland, for example, castles, cities and bridges. The special design of this miniature world and its layout makes it possible that several loops can be traveled by model trains. Therefore, our Swiss loco drives alternately in the southern Switzerland (“Bellinzona Railway Station”) as well as in the northern Switzerland (“Göschenen Railway Station” and “Wassen Railway Station”). Several times we will meet the “Crocodile” electric locomotive and the class Re 620 or class Re 6/6 locos, one of the most famous locomotives of the Swiss Railways. Our cab ride trip begins near the city of Wassen in Switzerland. On the left side of the railway line we see the church built in the style of the Baroque style of architecture. A little bit later we are reaching the Wassen Railway Station. After passing the tunnel, our locomotive reaches the Göschenen Railway Station. Above the railway station we can see the famous Bietschtal railroad bridge. After some circles we arrive at the Wassen Railway Station again. A few minutes later, after driving through some tunnels, we arrive at the Göschenen Railway Station in another direction of travel. After that, our train goes in the southern part of Switzerland and we reach the Bellinzona Railway Station. The station has more than nine platforms. Many passengers are waiting for their trains. While our locomotive has to wait in front of a red signal, we can see the massive mountains of Switzerland in the background. These scale model mountains have a height of more than four meters in 1/87 scale. Now, our loco is climbing up the mountains. The train rides on the first level - approximately 1.5 meters above the ground - and we see the big construction site for the highway bridge. A little bit later the train rides on the second level - approximately 2.5 meters above the ground - and we are directly below the highway bridge. After passing through the last helix our model train rides at the highest point of the model railway layout. From now on, our train is going downhill again. Our journey continues in the opposite direction of travel. However, we change the route, because we additionally drive on the small branch line inside the Swiss canton of Ticino. At the end of this video, our train drives into the very large shadow station or hidden yard.

Video #287#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HMLnjUGfGA

Modular Model Railway and Railroad Layout with German Model Trains in HO Scale

When Pilentum visited an exhibition for model railways, he saw this fine model railroad with German model trains in HO scale. The model railway layout was constructed as a modular model railroad layout with typical features of a landscape in Southern Germany. Therefore, a lot of German diesel trains and railcars are presented on this layout. The model railway was built by a German model train club. Construction began in 2015 and each year, new segments and new modules were added. The model railroad has an area of approximately 9.5 meters x 3.0 meters and it is operated with the digital control from Roco and Uhlenbrock.

Video #286#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ojvlwFRJ_g

Model Railway with Marklin Model Trains in Z Scale

This model railway in Z scale was created by a Germany model train club. It is a modular railway layout built on a nearly three-meter-long base plate. Houses, buildings and garden sheds in the foreground are made by the manufacturers Kibri and Faller. The rolling stock is mainly from Märklin. Model trains are controlled digitally by a RMX control center from Rautenhaus Company. For driving the trains the software TrainController is used.

Video #285#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=030N3fq7BfA

Cab Ride as Train Driver along Mr. Porsche’s Superb Model Railway with Austrian Model Trains

In December 2016, Pilentum visited the famous model railway layout of Mr. Hans-Peter Porsche for the first time. Then, we made some really fantastic cab rides with the model trains in HO scale. Unfortunately, at that time we had disabled the automatic train control system to make the train rides. Therefore, there were no oncoming trains and sometimes the railway signals were red. In June 2018, Pilentum visited again Mr. Porsche’s model railway exhibition. This time, we made an absolutely beautiful cab ride along the Austrian model railroad section. Pilentum’s locomotive, including a camera, starts at a small railway station. After that, the train crosses the big railway viaduct or railroad bridge and drives into the tunnel. Somewhat later the train arrives at the large railroad station, while other trains leave the station. Finally, it will be exciting for all friends of technology: The train passes the next tunnel and goes behind the scenes, where the hidden yards, storage yards or fiddle tracks are installed. In addition, the train passes many track spirals to get back to the normal level of the model railway layout. Behind the scenes, you'll see a lot of model trains parking - some made by Marklin and some made by Roco. Thereafter, the train is coming back to the beginning of the Austria section. Now, you’ll see how the track layout is organized. It is a very large dog-bone arrangement of a continuous loop where the model trains turn around. Enjoy this journey by train and feel like a train driver, locomotive engineer, railroad engineer, engine driver, locomotive operator or train operator in this miniature world.

Video #284#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4mhjJPoSCY

Model Railway Layout »La Gare de Landeyrat-Marcenat« in HO scale

The French model railway club, called “Association des Modélistes Cheminots de Limoges”, presented its modular model railroad layout at Germany’s model train exhibition “Intermodellbau 2018”. The layout is a scale model of the railway infrastructure of a small branch line in France, somewhere in the region of Landeyrat-Marcenat. On the railway lines, there are various French steam locomotives, freight trains and the famous French diesel engine railcar “Autorail”.

Video #283#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeleUKkbP4s

Model Train Video by Pilentum with Car System and Cab Ride on a Model Railway under Construction

Sooner or later, dear friends of Pilentum Television, you will see that this model railway layout is still under construction. Normally, Pilentum only presents already finished and perfectly built model railroad layouts, but this case, Pilentum would give you the unique opportunity to have an unrestricted view of the various stages of construction. This miniature world in HO scale is being built by a German model train club. Originally, the members of this railroad club had the idea to organize a permanent exhibition. But they did not want to present a finished landscape with trains, but also to present the individual construction phases. For several years, guests can visit this model railroad display every Sunday. The model railway layout has a size of 66 square meters and is constructed in an E-shape. The railway tracks are made by Fleischmann. The length of the Fleischmann railway tracks is nearly 600 meters. A few years ago, a miniature car system was installed. It is the so-called “MCC Model Car Parts” system made in the Netherlands. All model trains, light effects, the railroad network and the cars are controlled digitally by the software “iTrain”. In the background decoders, track occupancy detectors and feedback sensors made by “Lenz Digital” and by “Rautenhaus Digital” are in service. In the future, decoders made by “Lokstore Digital” will be used. Trains, locomotives and coaches are primarily scale models from Fleischmann, Trix, PIKO, Roco, MEHANO, Liliput and BRAWA.

Video #282#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkGezpNMKCo

N Scale Model Railroad built by the Maas and Waal Model Train Club in the Netherlands

This model railway layout, built in N scale, presents a partly restored castle ruin situated on a mountain in a hilly and wooded landscape in Germany. The focus of this model railroad is on the castle and on the single track railway line that leads around the mountain. The members of the Maas and Waal model train club would like to show the railway in the 1960's, when trains on this route had not yet been electrified. Therefore, the railway traffic is very diverse with both steam trains and diesel traction and ranges from express trains and longer freight trains on the main route to local passenger trains and occasional rail buses. The layout was designed specifically for model railroad exhibits because the dimensions are 2.5 meters in the width by 1.0 meter in the depth. The Maas and Waal model train club used PECO rails and points for the construction; the PECO rails were first pinned with thumbtacks and then permanently glued with wood glue. Furthermore, the landscape and forests are made with elements from Woodland Scenics.

Video #281#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ny016wzO1Po

The Superb Porsche Model Railway Layout inside the Dream Factory Museum in HO scale

There are many ways or ideas in model railroading or in railway modelling for designing and constructing a permanent model railway exhibition. On the one hand, as you know, there is the beautiful “Miniatur Wunderland” in Hamburg, Germany. It is the world’s largest model railroad exhibit, a destination for families and a great tourist attraction. On the other hand, there is, for example, the “Modellbundesbahn”, one of the finest model railways built in HO scale in Germany. Of course, there are also many superb model railway layouts throughout Europe, also in the United States, in Russia, in Australia or in Asia, especially in Japan. Apart from the commercial model train exhibitions, there are model train clubs around the world building absolute amazing layouts with great attention to detail. And all these model railway layouts deserve to be presented on Pilentum Television. But sometimes, there are such extraordinary model railway exhibitions that we rate not only in size or in detail, but also in their unique beauty. One of these special exhibitions is - without any doubt - the model railway from Hans-Peter Porsche, the grandson of the famous automotive designer, Ferdinand Porsche. Hans-Peter Porsche created a museum for model trains and tinplate toys in Southern Germany, in the district of Berchtesgaden. In the German language we call this museum “TraumWerk”, meaning something like “Dream Factory” in the English language. The “Dream Factory” is a 365 square meter model railway reaching five meters high. The precision found in this miniature world is nothing short of impressive. Model trains travel through the most beautiful regions of the Alps. It is a lovingly designed piece of Europe in miniature containing Austria, Switzerland and Germany in HO scale. A model railroad specialist and his team were building this model railway over a period of two years. In total, there are more than 180 trains. At least 50 of them are running along at the same time on nine separate electrical sections while the other trains are parking in 32 fiddle yards or hidden stations below the installation. The digital model railway control system is based on decoders and devices of Rautenhaus Company, using the Selectrix protocol and digital command control (DCC). Below the installation, there are sixteen computers to operate locos, cars, light effects and much more. Furthermore, four technicians are constantly taking care of the railway traffic in the control room. As you can see, these are no cab rides using the camera in front of the loco. This time, Pilentum has installed the camera on the side of a rail car to imitate a train passenger’s view. Furthermore, this camera setting offers the best view of the entire model railroad system. I know, dear friends of Pilentum Television, some criticize buildings, locomotives and trains are not weathered. Others complain that the pantographs of the electric locomotives are not in operation. In that sense, Porsche’s model railway layout is not as realistic as we expect. But the dimensions of Porsche’s model railway layout are really unique. Now, enjoy this video, share it with friends or write a comment. And, don’t forget to visit this layout when you are going to make a journey to Germany.

Video #280#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9s0-HzOsYo

One of Germany's finest and most famous and superb model railway with steam trains in HO scale

If you’re asking German model railroaders and railway enthusiast, where to find the most outstanding permanent model railway exhibition in Germany, they will probably answer, this is the “Modellbundesbahn”. In fact, the “Modellbundesbahn” is a superb HO scale permanent display layout, constructed to museum quality. In 2007, the British railway journal “Continental Modeller” called this layout the “German equivalent of Pendon Museum”. On the contrary to many other model railway layouts, which are presented in Germany, this HO scale display is an accurate and historically correct scale model of Ottbergen railway station and its locomotive shed as they were in 1975. Buildings, locomotives and trains are carefully weathered. There are no high speed trains. No, there are freight trains, local passenger trains and a lot of railway traffic at the classification yard or marshalling yard as it was usual in the early 1970’s. Over time the loco depot at Ottbergen, housing the strong steam locomotives, type Class 44, was to become famous as one of the last major centers of steam in Germany. Also in the early 1970’s, there was a young boy, called Karl Fischer, living near the railway line in Ottbergen. When he was a child, for countless hours, he stood near the railway line and watched the large steam locomotives of the German Federal Railroad. He was fascinated by the Class 44 steam train locomotives, and of course, he was fascinated by the big marshalling yard - right behind his parent’s house. Twenty years later, Karl Fischer, had a dream: He wanted to recreate Ottbergen in miniature as an authentic historic record. Captured by its memories of the steam age, 30 years later in October 2005, the first stage was opened in Bad Driburg. The layout had been built in sections and was assembled as a large U shape. On one side is a scale model of Ottbergen railway station and the famous loco depot. On the other side is an accurate scale model of Bad Driburg railway station. The HO scale display was built over a period of eight years. Taking around 35,000 man hours. Occupies about 100 square meters and consists of 1,100 meters of track, 216 points and 83 signals. When building this miniature world a lot of emphasis was put on reality. There are no gimmicks, just high quality railway modelling at realistic speeds, using authentic train formations. Trains run at authentic scale speeds. The landscape is modelled to a very high standard. The first stage of the railway layout was constructed by professional builder Gerhard Dauscher, while the second stage has been supervised by Michael Butkay. The buildings are mostly scratchbuilt, or at least heavily adapted, as few commercially available kits were correct. In 2009 Karl Fischer and his team decided to expand the layout. This was not just a simple case of an addition but involved modification of the existing installation. A large new central module was added with a new railway station. If you look at the cab ride, you will discover this new section because it was used as a starting point of the POV drive. Furthermore, this “point of view video”, some say “first person view video”, which was made by Pilentum with great passion, is a very good way to get to know this model railway layout exactly. Everything was fine by the year 2017. But then, Karl Fischer and his team, especially Norbert Sickmann, decided on a change. The old location of the model railway exhibition had become too small. An enlargement of the layout or an extension of the exhibition area was not possible. Therefore, the entire installation was dismantled in the summer of 2017 and rebuilt in a completely new exhibition hall. At the end of May 2018, the new exhibition was opened in the city of Brakel, approximately 15 kilometers away from the old location. Today, the size of the whole installation makes it necessary to use a digital control system, using the software “TrainController”. Control of trains, control of accessories, occupancy detectors and locomotive decoders are based on the “Selectrix” digital model train control system. Finally, there are more than 80 locomotives, 900 items of rolling stock, 150 buildings, 7,000 figures, more than 1,500 trees and 2,500 shrubs. There is an ongoing programming to fit interior lighting to all coaches. Actually, the new car system is running. And, as you can see on the cab ride train journey, inside the new location is enough space to expand the railway installation. Please, enjoy this video. There are beautiful cab rides and a lot of outstanding video footage of steam trains and steam locomotives. Don’t forget to visit this layout, called “Modellbundesbahn”, when you are going to make a journey to Germany.

Video #279#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wG7nvWRxGXs

Big Boys and Great Toys: Live Steam Garden Railway and Real Steam Trains on Backyard Railroad

Some say live steam trains, others say real steam trains. Today, we discover the world of garden railway, backyard railroad or garden railroad with live steam locomotives from 5 inch gauge up to 7 1/4 inch gauge. It is about ridable miniature railways including locomotives large enough for one or several persons to ride on. The whole video was taken on the railway course of the German Railway Modelling Club, called “Dampfbahnclub Taunus”, located near Frankfurt/Main, Germany. As you can see from the tracks, the park railway is suitable for 5 inch and 7 ¼ inch model trains. Please, enjoy these steam locomotives and listen to their original sound.

Video #278#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pCXSQocoSM

The miniature world of Venice: A masterpiece of modelling in HO scale without model trains

As you know, there is the great “Miniature Wonderland”, the world’s largest permanent model railway exhibition, in Germany. Two years ago, the model builders finished the Italian section with beautiful coast lines, with the central station of the capital Rome and much more. In February 2018 - after more than a year of construction work - the new section of Venice was opened. This masterpiece of modelling in HO scale completes the Italy theme inside the “Miniature Wonderland”, although there are no model trains and no model railway. The new Venice section with a size of only nine square meters is one of the smallest sections of the “Miniature Wonderland”. More than 35,000 man hours have been dedicated to create this Italian world with its winding streets, waterways, gondolas and palaces that were finished with greater precision than ever before. Approximately 60 model builders have been involved in modelling the new Venice section. They have made more than 280 houses and bridges by hand, have installed 2,800 LED, laid more than 5,000 meters of cable and have made 160 individual street lights. At a square meter price of more than 100,000 Euros, this diorama of Venice didn't come cheap at all. But every corner of miniature Venice is the result of so much devotion, for example, the 450 gondolas of Venice, each of them were carefully hand crafted and decorated. The famous tourism sights of Venice - the “Canale Grande”, the “Piazza San Marco”, the “Rialto Bridge” and the many water taxi gondolas - can be discovered in 1/87 scale.

Video #277#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42n44t5cxJk

The $ 30,000 Live Steam Locomotive 7 1/4 Inch Gauge Model Railway

Recently, many friends of Pilentum have complained that there are far too few videos about steam locomotives. Therefore, Pilentum wants to make all enthusiasts of steam trains happy with this new video of a $ 30,000 live steam locomotive in 7 ¼ inch gauge. If it should be a steam engine, it must be a real steam or live steam garden railway. Some facts about this steam locomotive: The steam locomotive of Class 23 was a German passenger train locomotive developed in the 1950’s for the German Federal Railway. The locomotives had a 2-6-2 wheel arrangement and were equipped with Class 2'2' T 31 tenders. In reality, 105 types of this locomotive were built - from numbers 23 001 to 23 105 - by the manufacturers Henschel Company, Arnold Jung Locomotive Works Factory, Krupp Company and Maschinenfabrik Esslingen. Reduced to 1/8 scale, this steam locomotive was constructed in 2002 by a railway modeller from Cologne, Germany. The weight of this loco is 285 kg or 628 lb. The weight of the tender is 85 kg or 187 lb. Pilentum made a video from different angles by using three cameras. In the first part the miniature railway video was taken by the JVC Adixxion GC-XA2 camera installed on a passing train on a parallel rail track. In the second part, the riding railroad or grand scale railroad was taken by the Yi 4K+ camera installed above the running gear. In the third part, the train was taken by the Panasonic HVX 200 camera filmed from the hand. The whole video was taken on the railway course of the German Railway Modelling Club, called “Dampfbahnclub Taunus”, located near Frankfurt/Main, Germany. As you can see from the tracks, the park railway is suitable for 5 inch and 7 ¼ inch model trains. Please, enjoy this “Big Boy” steam engine and listen to the original sound.

Video #276#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXOP0c51yko

Lovely model railway layout with at least 100 details and miniature world attractions in HO scale

This is the latest model railway layout, which was built by Peter van den Wilderberg in HO scale. Peter is a famous model railroader living in the Netherlands. He is also known by the name “PEMOBA” which is an abbreviation for “Peter’s Modelbaan”. Peter does not build big model railway layouts; he focuses on small, cute and lovely dioramas, which are about three meters in the width and just one meter in the deep. When Peter builds a new layout for European model railway exhibitions, every square centimeter is filled with technical details and fascinating gimmicks. As a spectator you have to look closely to the layout for several times to discover all the little details. In the left section of this layout, which is controlled by the “Win-Digitpet” railway software, there is the little train station of the city named “Peters-Brück”. There are two platforms. At the front of the platform, you should pay attention to the station master who lines his head to the passing trains. And, in front of the train station there are two working guys who are loading a truck. In the background of this miniature world, there are the many buildings that are fully furnished and illuminated. On the street, a street sweeper is very busy cleaning the road, while the kids are playing at the children’s playground and the bus drives along. In the middle of the layout, there are two bridges that span a small river. Below the bridge, boats are loaded with a crane. In the right section of the model railway, you can see rows of houses with a small market and a church. In front of this scenery, there is a scrapyard or junk yard. And, behind the railway line, there are some transport activities at the warehouses.

Video #275#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zw9_HCVvJCI

Superb Model Railway Layout in OO Gauge and one of the finest in British Railway Modelling

Once again, Pilentum presents one of the finest model railway layouts made in Great Britain. It is the third layout made by the British model railroader Peter Goss. The model railway - built in OO scale or 4 mm or OO gauge - is based on the North Yorkshire market town of Knaresborough. It was completed at the end of 2014 and has been presented at model railway exhibitions since then. Pete Goss started planning this model railway in 2009, and after extensive survey work and detailed planning model construction finally commenced in February 2010. The scenery is set in the time period around 2005 to 2015. The rolling stock includes the modern day colorfully liveried diesel multiple units (DMU) and several long special trains, for example the “Northern Belle Pullman” or the “Scarborough Spa Express”. The layout has only a simple branch line theme with trains running through the station on a twin track continuous circuit run. The market town setting contains a very strong historical theme. It is that theme of model railroading that Pete is very familiar with. Pete has always had a fascination with railways and buildings. His main interest is the architecture and styles of old and historic buildings and displaying them at a true scale within the realms of railway modelling. Over the years, Pete has attended model railway exhibitions all over the United Kingdom and also in Germany, Netherlands and Belgium. The model railway layout in this video got the name “The Worlds End”, because this name refers to the pub that is located near the railway station of Knaresborough. Apart from the train station, the model railway layout contains a large stone built and ornate viaduct over the River Nidd which is around five feet long and 14 inches high. And, there are other scenes on the layout that will intrigue and entertain folks whilst watching the model trains go by. Substantial numbers of metal cast and converted plastic model figures have been employed on the layout and inside the coaches. Pete’s model railway layout was shown at the great Norwich Model Railway Exhibition in 2017. Pilentum made this video at the International Scale Model Exhibition in Dortmund, Germany, in 2018.

Video #274#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6U1Y6IGb7kc

Model Railway Exhibition in Germany with Model Trains made by Marklin, Fleischmann and Roco

Model railway exhibitions in Germany are normally organized by model train clubs. They build railway modules, mostly in HO scale, and plug them together. That's how they get a huge model railroad system for their visitors. One focus of model railroading or railway modelling is on joining different modules with different train control systems. Before they open their model railroad exhibit on the weekend, the members are busy harmonizing various decoders, locomotives, switches, etc. In this video, Pilentum presents a model train show which was organized by three modelling clubs. After building a large modular railway layout consisting of more than 100 single modules, visitors enjoyed more than 200 meters of railroad track in HO scale and a lot of rolling stock, mostly German locomotives, freight trains and passenger trains. In Germany, the brands Marklin, Fleischmann and Roco are very popular. But recently there are smaller manufacturers making very detailed scale models of locomotives, for example ESU and BRAWA. They focus on realizing amazing digital functions in their locomotives, such as sound and light effects in electric locomotives or smoke generators in steam locomotives. Finally, German model railroaders more and more are using digital car systems on their model railway layouts even if the layouts were designed only as a modular system. The joy of running these little miniature vehicles or model cars in HO scale is unmistakable.

Video #273#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-N_vilsaBE

One of the finest award-winning model railway layouts made in the United Kingdom

In this video, we take a look at the beautiful model railway layout which was built by Maggie Gravett and by her husband Gordon Gravett. It is the famous, award-winning model railway layout showing a little town in Brittany, France, in the early 1960’s. Pilentum Television: Please, Gordon, would you like to tell the story of this model railway layout to the viewers of Pilentum Television? Gordon Gravett: The layout is based on a small metre gauge railway in Brittany. We've called it “Pempoul”. The name is purely robbed from a small hamlet where there was a sheet we used to stay in, so it doesn't have any sort of bearing on a real railway or that the real railway in the area. But the “Réseau Breton”, which was quite a sizeable system for a metre gauge railway in Brittany, offered us the opportunity to do something a little bit different. Pilentum Television: Maggie, as you know, Pilentum Television is based in Germany. And, for a German model railroader it is more or less typical constructing a German model railroad scenery. But you are living in Great Britain. Why did you choose the French railway system for model railroading? And, please, explain to the viewers of Pilentum Television, how did you start building this amazing layout? Where did you get the inspiration from? Maggie Gravett: We start to work on it, we had to look at papers and pictures and maps and all sorts of things, because we knew not a thing about this railway. A lot of the British Railways we knew. A little bit about or could find out about that the French one. The Internet wasn't bad, but not that good and nothing was being built commercially. So we knew, it would have to be totally, totally hand-built. Everything you saw, had to be hand-built. Pilentum Television: Maggie, please, tell me, railway modelling by hand was the only way to catch the essence of this French small town life. How did you learn to make such unique buildings? Maggie Gravett: I started to get involved doing buildings. I didn't like the plastic buildings because they didn't represent, what I wanted them to represent. I wanted funny things. I want to strange things. I wanted sheds with roofs that had holes in and it's a little bit more difficult, when you've got a ready-made or kit ready to make. So, I used to build. I still do build my buildings right from scratch. Pilentum Television: I guess, the viewers of Pilentum Television want to know some more of railway modelling. Please, tell us a bit of you passion. Maggie Gravett: You can build a square box as a building, put a roof on it, make it look beautiful, but somehow, you don't feel like anybody could live in it because it's just something missing. And very often you can't even put your finger on it and then you change the color scheme. Slightly you put a dent in a front door. You break a window in model form and suddenly - it looks like it's been lived in. And, I think that that is, what we both try to achieve. Finally, it was written, that you needed seventeen years for making this wonderful miniature world. And, I guess, the time was worth it. Thank you, Maggie und Gordon, for giving us such a great model railway layout.

Video #272#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xw8Am1jLv9o

Model Railway “Burgundy 1,500 Volt” with French Model Trains made by Jouef in HO scale

In this video, the French model railway club, called “Rails Miniatures de la Boucle”, from Gennevilliers, France, presents its beautiful model railroad layout named “Burgundy 1,500 Volt”. This French association of model railroading is located near Paris, France, and was established in 1982 by twenty model railroaders and railway modelling designers. The layout was built in HO scale and took approximately ten years of working time. It presents a famous French railway line near the city of Dijon inside the Burgundy region, France. This railway line is one of the major axis of the French rail traffic network, connecting Paris, Cote d'Azur in the southeast of France and other Italian destinations. In 1950, the railroad section between Paris and Dijon was electrified by catenary wires with 1,500 Volt. Therefore, the members of the French model railway club called this layout “Burgundy 1500 Volt”. Of course, in reality this railroad track has been modernized according to the modern standards of rail traffic systems. On the model railway layout, there are some of the finest model trains made by the French manufacturer Jouef, today a subsidiary company of Hornby Railways. The model railway layout has been built extremely detailed: The signal systems and the rails are designed very realistic. And, a very important argument, the locomotives drive with pantographs. The layout was built especially for toy train exhibitions. It is about ten meters in length. On the front side, spectators can enjoy the three-track railway line. On the back, behind the layout, what spectators cannot see, there is a large shadow station or fiddle yard where the miniature trains are parked. The whole train system is digitally controlled.

Video #271#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ix9JtVJ_DWU

Model Train Show Blue Brix in Germany HO Scale

A new permanent model railway exhibition opened on February 8, 2018, in Germany. The model train show is called “Blue Brix Wonder World”, and it is located in the South of Germany, near Munich. There are different model railroad layouts inside the whole exhibition area, for example, two layouts built in G scale presenting Switzerland. Another layout, approximately 130 square meters in HO scale, presenting the Germany city of Straubing. The most beautiful layout is the great HO scale show room with an exhibition area of more than 440 square meters. On a rail network with more than 1,600 meters in length, there are a lot of toy trains made by different European manufacturers, such as Marklin, Roco, Hornby, PIKO and Fleischmann. Some passenger cars and freight cars are made by Bachmann, Athearn and Liliput.

Video #270#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVwoZvu2GJk

Train Ride in Germany's Marklin Model Railroad Exhibit in HO scale

The best way to explore a model railroad layout is doing a train cab ride. Therefore, we are going to discover another model railroad exhibit in this video. This layout, respectively this model railway exhibition was opened some years ago in Germany. It is called “Oktorail”, a permanent model train show of 400 square meters that mostly uses trains made by Marklin. The exhibition is divided into different sections. For example, the old Ruhr area in Germany, an industrial landscape known for its blast furnaces, steel and coal industry. In another section Germany is presented with modern streets, big cities and with a very large central station. By the way, this is the largest central station in HO scale Pilentum knows. In another section the Alps are presented. The landscape consists of high mountains and alpine regions. Unfortunately, Pilentum could make the video recordings only during the visitor hours. Therefore, only short train rides were shot. Anyway, enjoy this miniature world and, as you are used to from Pilentum, feel like a train driver.

Video #269#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GppybzJlxtM

The World of Model Trains - Enjoy more than 75 different locomotives and train sets in HO scale

Doing model railroading or railway modelling is something beautiful. Apart from the construction of a model railway display, the model trains and locomotives are a very important detail of any model railroad layout. Again and again Pilentum is extremely fascinated by different locomotives and train sets. It does not matter if they are steam locomotives, diesel locomotives or electric locomotives. That's why Pilentum focuses very much on the passing trains while making videos. And, Pilentum prefers to capture them in macro photography mode. But in macro photography, choosing the right exposure, distance, or focus is not always easy. But sometimes everything is perfect and beautiful shots are taken. In this video, Pilentum would like to present you these beautiful shots. Enjoy more than 75 different trains and locomotives, some from Europe and some from the USA.

Video #268#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YSEwy2ZfU4

Beautiful Model Railroad Layout both in Summer and in Winter Landscape in HO scale

In this video, I would like to show you, an amazing model railroad layout that was built in HO scale. This layout was built by a group of model railroaders living in Cologne, Germany. But, let’s point out, what is the special thing on this model railway, and on this video. Two years ago, I visited a model railway exhibition for US model trains in Germany. I saw this fine layout built with landscapes in summer time. Two years later, I visited this model railroad exhibit again, and I also saw this fine layout. But now, it was built with a landscape in winter time. Within two years the members of the German railway modelling club have completely rebuilt their model train layout from summer time into winter time. Therefore, in this video, I would like to present a kind of “visual comparison”. We are going to see some sections of this model railway in the summer, and then we are going to see nearly the same section, with almost the same angle of view, in winter. At the first time, perhaps, you will not immediately see the difference. So, you need to pay attention to the many details along the railway line.

Video #267#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSS8d0z_0q8

Train Cab Ride along a never ending model railroad layout in HO scale

Once again, you are the train driver, railroad engineer, loco pilot or train operator along this never ending model railroad layout which was built in HO scale. While watching this cab ride video you are going to discover a beautiful model railway layout in train driver's view. You are going to explore more than 1,000 square meter of this miniature world, and you are going to meet some of more than 200 model trains.

Video #266#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82BUn5t0sBI

The Excellent Model Railroad Layout in HO Scale

In this video, Pilentum presents a German model railroad exhibit that is located in Bavaria. But, do not expect any Bavarian locomotives and model trains. Inside this model train show, a slightly different philosophy of railway modelling exists because the operator of this model railroad layout wants to represent the complete development of railway history in Germany. Therefore, for each time period a railway display was built in HO scale. Actually, there are five very large railway displays presenting Germany’s rail transport history. For example, there are the very first steam locomotives and steam trains of the German Empire since 1870. Also, there is another railway display presenting the first electric locomotives and diesel locomotives in the 1920s and 1930s. The whole development of Germany’s State Railway Company is shown up to the modern times with high-speed trains. Apart of this philosophy of model railroading, the correct speed in relation to the HO scale is remarkable. At this model railroad layout toy trains are driving only with 80 % of the maximum speed which the trains would drive in reality. In addition, most locomotives were converted with new engines and gear sets from the famous Faulhaber Company. Faulhaber’s special engines and fine gear boxes ensure the most accurate movements of model trains with very realistic start-up and braking. And, there is another special feature. Normally, model railway exhibitions are using digital train control systems, for example computers with special programs. But these five model railway displays are controlled by analogue technology. There are no computers and there are no digital components. The entire model trains are controlled by the analogue system made by Gebhardt Company. Gebhardt’s system is based on block circuits controlled by electrical relays. While watching Pilentum’s video, you will not recognize this electrical technology, but you can sometimes hear when relays are switched. Please, enjoy this excellent model railroad layout and hundred famous model trains.

Video #265#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-klxwckWKEM

Model train driver's view : Cab ride on an HO scale model railroad layout

Let's discover a beautiful model railroad layout in train driver's view. This miniature world is a modular model railroad which was constructed in HO scale by the members of the French model railroad club, called Trains Miniature de l'Omois. The railway layout was presented at the Eurospoor, the largest exhibit for railway modelling and model railroading at Utrecht, Netherlands. Inside the locomotive, there is a camera onboard, so you are the train driver, engine driver, railroad engineer, loco pilot or train operator on this model train layout.

Video #264#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cRysXy_C8g

Cab ride on a model railroad layout with hidden railway station in HO scale

As you know, Pilentum is fascinated by doing cab ride videos with model trains. Therefore, in this video, a new model railroad layout is presented. It was built by a German railway club in HO scale. A special feature is the big hidden railway station and its parking trains and locomotives. Please, enjoy becoming a train driver in miniature.

Video #263#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHL8vdD6JIc

HO Scale Model Railroad Layout made by a German Model Railroader Club

In this video, Pilentum presents a model railroad layout that was made by a German model railroader club in HO scale. This model railroad layout follows a mixture of two philosophies in railway modelling: On the one hand, there are permanently installed railway segments, and on the other hand, there are replaceable railway modules. Finally, the model railroad display is so large that it extends over several rooms. In the first room, there is a huge hidden staging yard. From there, the model trains drive through two tunnels through the wall into the main room. Locomotives and trains drive along the main railway line, crossing a little station and reaching a huge railway bridge. Behind this railway bridge a large mountain rises above the landscape. In the valley, behind the mountain, the railway line is divided in two directions: The one railway line leads to the new central station which is still under construction. The other railway line leads through tunnels into the next room. In this room, the railway embankment was installed along the wall. While locomotives and trains drive on the railway embankment, below a large lake followed by a funfair, a restaurant and a medium-heavy fire brigade are presented. Inside the restaurant, take a look at the waiter who takes care of the guests without getting tired. Behind the fun park, the fire brigade has to extinguish a burning truck. Besides that, the model trains reach the next room. Here, the railway line was built under a mountain. On the top of the mountain, there is a large park with a children's playground. Down in the valley, near the railway line, crazy hippies are going to have a party when they are not stuck with their VW Bully in the mud.

Video #262#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bL7sBlk9c6c

The Great Model Railroad Layout in Berlin with 9,680 square feet of model trains in HO scale

This amazing model railroad layout in Berlin, Germany, with more than 9,000 square feet of floor space, was the world's third largest model railway exhibit. It opened on September 18, 2004 in Berlin, later it moved to the Alexa Shopping Center in 2007. Note, the last opening day was August 31, 2017. At the beginning, 70 employees constructed this model railroad with a size of 6,000 square feet of floor space. Thereafter, the railroad display was taken down, moved and rebuilt in the new shopping mall. When the model train show was re-opened, the display was expanded to more than 9,000 square feet of floor space. A large part of the model railroad presented places and buildings in Berlin. In addition, there were Berlin’s famous railway stations and sections of the famous Berlin Underground, also known as Berlin Metro or Berlin Subway. Also attractions such as the zoo, the television tower, the Reichstag and the Brandenburg Gate were presented. However, the model railroad layout was not a complete model of the city. The display was built in HO scale and included over 13,000 feet of railway tracks and 32,800 cars and much more. The model trains, made by Fleischmann, Roco, Brawa, Gützold and Piko, were digitally controlled. For example, 30 computers and 80 cameras monitored the railway traffic. In addition to the trains, there were also model cars on the run using a system similar to the Faller Car System. Every 20 minutes there was night, so the lights of the houses became visible. Sorry, but during the night Pilentum could not take video recordings. In total, 30,000 LED were installed in trains, in cars and in buildings.

Video #261#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7lOfRXmWqY

Model railroad layout in HO scale with steam locomotives and steam trains

Enjoy this compilation of German steam locomotives and trains driving on the mail railway line of an amazing model railroad layout in HO scale.

Video #260#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mqPi5rGLuY

Model trains in HO scale: Passenger trains and freight trains

While sitting at the railway embankment, a lot of passenger trains and freight trains came along. Please, enjoy this small compilation of German locomotives and trains.

Video #259#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwA0ylGz_Jo

Model trains - Rare and famous types from Germany in HO scale

In this video, Pilentum’s camera is capturing both rare and famous model trains from Germany. For example, there is the DB Class 403, a series of three electric multiple units commissioned by the German Federal Railways in the 1970s, an early predecessor of the Intercity-Express as a high-speed train. The units were mainly used for rail passenger service by the Lufthansa airline in the 1980s. Due to their distinct design of the front section, they were nicknamed Donald Duck. In 1981, the Lufthansa airline wanted to replace very expensive short-haul flights by rail transport. So the train was renamed in Lufthansa Airport Express. In addition, there are usual commuter trains, freight trains and express trains from the 1980s and 1990s. The model railroad display was created by the members of a German model railroading club. And, the members worked in great detail, for example, look at the platforms at the station, at the railway line or at the overhead line (catenary).

Video #258#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-cog65NhTM

Model Trains and Model Railroading in former East Germany

After the Second World War, the world separated into East and West. So, also Germany was divided into West Germany and East Germany. Therefore in West Germany, typical types of locomotives and trains were developed by the German Federal Railways (Deutsche Bundesbahn). And, also in East Germany special designs and types of locomotives and trains were developed by the state railway of East Germany (Deutsche Reichsbahn). In this video, Pilentum presents a model railroad layout, where steam trains and diesel trains of the old state railway of the GDR are running. Noteworthy are the powerful diesel locomotives that were originally delivered from the Soviet Union to East Germany for freight traffic. And, there are the famous bilevel passenger cars, also known as double-decker train cars, which are still used in passenger traffic today.

Video #257#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0LsakxebpM

On30 Narrow Gauge Model Railroad Display with Steam Locomotives

This beautiful model railroad layout in On30 scale, called “Stirmouth & Southern Railroad Company”, was built by the Dutch model railroad club MSM Modelspoor. On this narrow-gauge railroad a typical American landscape is presented with steam locomotives in the 1940’s. Remarkable are the turntable, the large bridges, and the many buildings made of real wood.

Video #256#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8InIEcVhmXc

N scale model railroad diorama with freight trains

This model railroad layout was built by the German model railroader Elmar Manfroid in N Scale. It is a diorama with approximately 6 meters in length and only 20 centimeters in width. Therefore, Pilentum was able to shoot only some little sections and corners, in which freight trains are presented.

Video #255#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uT4opSqJ83k

Freight Trains Galore and Toy Trains Galore

Probably one of the longest freight trains in miniature. There are four diesel locomotives operating in multiple-unit train control leaving the tunnel. These locomotives are from the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway (BNSF Railway). This freight train consists of 25 freight cars weathered in a perfect way. And, at the end of the train there is still the fifth diesel locomotive.

Video #254#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTKnoACvQwU

Very long freight train in HO scale

In this video, Pilentum presents a very long freight train with two diesel locomotives in front and 19 freight cars. Ultimately, it's not a high quality video, but it's simply entertaining.

Video #253#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijaHX8ysdII

Southern Pacific Lines Model Railroad Display in HO Scale

This model railroad display was built by Juergen Bode in HO scale, and it is a fictional design of a main railway line of the famous Southern Pacific Lines in the 1990’s. There are mountains, forests, lakes and a small town called “Grand Valley”.

Video #252#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0hSXMGZm-4

Beautiful Model Railway Layout in HO scale

At the great festival for US model trains in Germany, also Gerrit Schoenmaker from the Netherlands presented his beautiful model railway layout, called “Western Rhapsody”. This display presents the Southwest of the United States in the 1950’s and 1960’s with its freight and passenger rail services. Apart from the model trains, for example, two steam locomotives operating in multiple-unit train control, the effect of the background wallpaper must be noted. So the landscape with its railway line merges with the background of the canyons.

Video #251#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L11OOjhrGkI

Weathering model trains on a three rail model railroad layout in O scale

In this video the members of the model railway club from Porvoo, Finland, present their particularly rare three rail model railroad layout in O scale. The members call their layout “Shark Bay Railroad”. They were weathering their locomotives, trains and coaches in an absolutely perfect way. The model trains are equipped with digital control from Lionel (Legacy) and MTH (DCS). The locomotives rumble along the tracks through an industrial landscape with a sawmill, a brewery and even a small fishing port. Let me explain the use of a third rail in model railroading: Early toy trains used two metal rail tracks like most real trains. However, manufacturers quickly found that using a center rail for electric power and the two outer rails for common or ground made electrical contact much more reliable and less prone to short circuits. Three rail contact also negates the need for insulated wheels, an important consideration before plastics wheels became widely available. Therefore, most models on the Finnish model railway display are made of metal. Finally, the entire layout is not very large. There is a marshalling yard on the left, and a circuit on the right. So the locomotives and the loving weathering are special.

Video #250#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5E2wYNrOygA

Wonderful US model railroad layout in HO scale with landscape in winter

This model train layout in HO scale was built by German modellers from Cologne. There are three different landscapes covering the whole model railway layout. And, there are a lot of North American locomotives and freight trains, including Amtrak or CSX, etc. The model railroad layout was carefully designed with a beautiful snow cover.

Video #249#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APJgCsgLsss

HO Scale Model Railway Layout of Narrow Gauge Rail Transport in Chile

While Pilentum visited a model railway exhibit for American model trains in Germany he saw this special model railroad diorama of the Chilean railway. The model railroad was built by Juergen Petrik in HO gauge, 1/87 scale, narrow gauge. It is a model of the famous “Ferrocarril Andino”, the narrow-gauge railway somewhere in the Atacama Desert in Chile. On the right section, there is the Pacific coast where penguins and sea lions swimming in the cold water. In the background of this scenery, the locomotives and trains drive on the railway line. On the left section, there is the high plateau of salt lakes and volcanoes with a little station. The landscape on this model railway layout is really impressive, for example the rocks, the very small stones and the plants along the tracks.

Video #248#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiV-4ihJM0E

The Choo Choo Barn Model Train Layout in Strasburg Pennsylvania

As you know, Pilentum lives in Germany. But Pilentum knows that there are many wonderful model railroad displays in the United States. A great desire of Pilentum is to visit the US once to film these great model train layouts. Unfortunately, the travel costs from Germany to the US are very high. But in order to present some of the most impressive model railways Pilentum asked the Choo Choo Barn for getting some video footage. So this video was created. Now, you should ask yourself why Pilentum did choose the Choo Choo Barn. The reason is the extraordinary story behind this model railroad exhibit. The Choo Choo Barn was originally born in 1945, in the basement of the Groff home in Strasburg. George Groff had just returned from World War II, and was looking for a Christmas present for his son Gary. He found a $ 12.50 Lionel model train set. And, one thing led to another - within few years - that simple train set had begun to take over a larger and larger portion of the family basement. In the 1950’s, the Groff family began opening their model railroad display for neighbors, townspeople and local school groups during the Christmas holidays. The exhibition became very popular so that the Groff family decided to move the model railroad into a small township maintenance facility. Then, the Choo Choo Barn, as George decided to call his display, opened on Thanksgiving Day in 1961, and it was very quickly a hit with local folks and visitors alike. With over 600 square feet of detailed landscaping, 6 trains, and 6 animated figures, people knew they were seeing something special and unique. Over the years, the display continued to grow. The train layout has grown into an attraction for all ages and all groups. There are miniature replicas of The Willows Restaurant, Dutch Wonderland amusement park, the Strasburg Railroad, and a scale version of the Groff family home. Today, the Choo Choo Barn is a 1,700 square feet model train layout.

Video #247#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ebh81NWGGMM

Z scale highly detailed model railroad layout

Last weekend, Pilentum visited a model railway exhibit for US model trains in Germany. One of the most impressive displays was built by Juergen Tuschik, a German model railroader. For creating his miniature world he chose neither HO scale nor N scale, but Z scale. The layout, named “Flaggstone East Terminal” presents a marshalling yard with industrial plants in the foreground and a silhouette of a big city in the background. Of course, there are larger and perhaps more beautiful model railway layouts, but in this case the small size of only 1/220 scale is extremely special.

Video #246#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LIxWm4o9OI

The fantastic miniature world of model railroading and railway modelling in Germany

The Miniature Wonderland is the world‘s largest model railway, located in the city of Hamburg, Germany. More than 15 million visitors - from all over the world - have already visited this famous model railroad exhibition. Spreading over more than 1,500 square meters, a unique and outstanding exhibition built in HO scale arose in 760,000 man hours - and it keeps on growing. Next to sophisticated technologies, the Miniature Wonderland is known for its captivating richness of detail. There are 250,000 figures lovingly set in scene. There are moving cars and ships. And, at the miniature airport airplanes are taking off and landing every minute. The Miniature Wonderland is a breathtaking miniature world unmatched anywhere in this world. Every year more and more visitors are discovering the Miniature Wonderland. But also behind the scenes, there is a lot to report: For example, currently more than 360 people are working there. From technicians to art students - the whole team is going to create new worlds in HO scale. The great exhibit invites its visitors to dream and to observe. And, visitors get the possibility to look at our world from a totally different perspective. Although the model trains - sometimes - disappear in the background, however, not only the creation of these amazing landscapes makes Miniature Wonderland so unique. It is also the innovative high-technology, which has never been installed in model railway layouts before. This technology, hidden within the impressive landscapes, is an important factor for the fascination and uniqueness. For example: 385,000 lights, which are dynamically controlled by a self-developed light control system, provide an almost perfect simulation of day and night. Of course, also approximately 300 amazing miniature cars must be mentioned, which are controlled by several computers. Finally, Germany’s Miniature Wonderland is not only a normal model railway exhibition, but a miniature world - for the young and the old - which invites its visitors in many ways to marvel, to dream, and to discover. So, please: Visit Germany. Visit Hamburg. And, visit the Miniature Wonderland. Thank you, and keep on watching Pilentum.

Video #245#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dAII6Oljuo

Railfanning cab ride view of a large modular model railroad built in FREMO or Mod-U-Trak standard

In this video, Pilentum presents a railfanning cab ride view on a very large modular model railroad layout built in FREMO, Free-Mo, Mod-U-Trak and Modutrak standard. Model trains run along more than 50 meters of HO scale railway tracks in narrow gauge. The great model railway display presents the famous Furka Cogwheel Steam Railway in Switzerland.

Video #244#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CM0iRvNZHp4

Railfanning view of a large modular model railway layout built in FREMO Free-Mo Modutrak standard

Basically, there are two methods to build a model railway layout. On the hand a model railway layout can be built on a single plate. In this case width and length finally define the size of the whole layout. On the other hand single modules are built by members of a model railway club. Because of consistent standards in module construction, wiring, DCC, track and scenery, these single modules can be fitted to a very large modular model railway. For example, FREMO, Free-Mo, Mod-U-Trak and Modutrak are well known standards for building those model railway modules. In this video Pilentum presents a model train cab ride along a very large modular model railway layout. There are more than 50 meters of HO scale railway tracks in narrow gauge. The whole model railroad layout presents the famous Furka Cogwheel Steam Railway in Switzerland. This Swiss mountain metre gauge railway operates between the Realp railway station in the Canton of Uri and the Oberwald railway station in the Canton of Valais, crossing the Gletsch railway station also in the Canton of Valais. Because the entrance of the tunnels were built so low, what is usual for narrow gauge railways, Pilentum's cab ride camera does not fit. So Pilentum had to make a video cut between the tunnels.

Video #243#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNCiZSpSmh0

Model trains in action at the famous Gletsch railway station in Switzerland

Many model builders and railroad modelers in Europe are fascinated by the railway system in Switzerland. Although there are high mountains and deep valleys, everywhere the railroad runs. So, many model builders would like to create this atmosphere on a model railway display. Especially in Germany there are many layouts with Swiss landscapes. Therefore, we see in this video the famous Furka Cogwheel Steam Railway. Of course, it is a model railroad layout built in HO scale, narrow gauge. In particular, we can see the railway traffic at the famous Gletsch station in Switzerland. Let me explain why this station is something special: This railway station was opened in 1914, and owned and operated by the Furka Oberalp Bahn. The Furka Oberalp Bahn was the only railroad that crossed the mountains. The railway line was used until 1982. Then the railway line was abandoned because the new Furka Base Tunnel was opened for crossing the mountains. But since 1992, the abandoned railway line has been reopened as a heritage railway. And, also the station at Gletsch was reopened. The station in this model is a very, very good copy of reality in 1/87 scale. Now, please enjoy watching these Swiss locomotives and trains.

Video #242#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1Y8XRoxEtY

Very Large Model Railway Layout by Märklin in HO Scale

In this video, Pilentum presents a very large HO scale model railway layout. Now, we are going to discover this amazing model railroad in detail. In this miniature world, there are 50 trains running simultaneously in digital railway control mode. There are both passenger trains and freight trains. Especially at the large central station there is a lot of rail traffic.

Video #241#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg_HD-5YcXc

Awesome model train layouts made in Swiss model railroading and railway modelling style

In the history of railway and railroad construction, we must recognize that the most beautiful and the most ingenious railway lines have been built in Switzerland. There are many tourists who visit Switzerland only because of the railway tracks. Therefore, it’s not a surprise that there is a separate genre in model building, namely Swiss model railroading or Swiss railway modelling. In this video, Pilentum presents three model railway layouts in HO scale, narrow gauge, showing special structures and places of the Swiss railway. You can recognize the places by identifying the name signs at the miniature railway stations.

Video #240#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MN9Goenq0IA

Famous Diesel Locomotives DRG Class V 140 and DB Class V 200 of the German Federal Railroad

Pilentum would like to show you some famous diesel locomotives of the German railway history. Therefore, we have to visit a very old model railroad exhibit built in O gauge or 1/45 scale in Germany. On this railroad layout any toy train is made by hand. The first locomotive in this video is the famous DRG Class V 140. It was the first diesel locomotive with a hydraulic power transmission diesel engine, transmitting more than 1,000 kW of power. The locomotive was developed in the 1920’s and has been taken regularly on rail transport service since the 1930’s. After that loco, there is a very short video record of a battery electric multiple train used on the Prussian railway lines. It is the Prussian Class AT 3 Wittfeld battery locomotive. Thereupon, we will see the very famous DB Class V 200. It was the first diesel-hydraulic express locomotive of the German Federal Railroad. The DB Class V 200 hauled express trains on all main lines in the 1960’s. Because of the electrification of many railway lines the V 200 locomotives were used increasingly for commuter trains and freight trains. They were taken out of service in the late 1980’s. While many model train manufacturers produce as well the DRG Class V 140 locomotive as the DB Class V 200 locomotive, for example made by Hornby, Marklin, Roco, Fleischmann, etc., it is very difficult to find a scale model of the Prussian battery electric locomotive.

Video #239#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bS1e0BuERKI

Steam Locomotive DRG Class 01 - Germany’s Big Boy Steam Train in O Scale

In this video Pilentum presents the famous steam locomotive DRG Class 01 in 1/45 scale. This steam locomotive was the first strong steam express passenger locomotive in Germany that was built between 1926 and 1938 for the German Federal Railroad. Later, the steam loco was also used for freight service. The top speed was 125 km/h or 79 mph (forwards) and 50 km/h or 31 mph (backwards). The video was taken on a very old model railroad exhibit in Germany. On this railroad layout, built in O gauge or 1/45 scale, any toy train is made by hand.

Video #238#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxeWOpjMQRw

Germany’s First Fast Diesel Trains DRG Class SVT 877 and DB Class VT 08 in O Scale

In Germany, there is a very old model railroad exhibit built in O gauge or 1/45 scale. On this railroad layout any toy train is made by hand. Pilentum would like to show you two special diesel trains in this video: The famous DB Class VT 08 and the DRG Class SVT 877. The famous DB Class VT 08. VT means “Verbrennungstriebwagen” in German, and “Diesel-Electric Powered Train” in English. Starting in 1952, the new class VT 08 diesel-electric powered rail car came into use on the long-distance express network for the new German Federal Railroad. These diesel trains impressed people because of their elegant streamlined shape. Inside the train, there was a galley, a dining area, a writing compartment, and a mail compartment. The very comfortable DB Class VT 08 trains ran on all the important long-distance railway lines in Germany. The DRG Class SVT 877, also known as the “Hamburg Flyer” or “Flying Hamburger”, was Germany’s first fast diesel train. Since 1933, this diesel-electric powered train was used to carry passengers on the Berlin-Hamburg railway line. The speed was about 286 km/h or 178 mph.

Video #237#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_dmlaWgjJw

360° Video Camera from Google Street View for Photo Mapping a Model Railway Layout

As you know, in Germany the “Miniature Wonderland” is the largest model railway layout in the world. It is a permanent model railroad exhibition built in HO scale. One year ago, a team from Google made some amazing panorama views with a very special 360° camera. Today, these photos are integrated into Google Street View and into Google Maps. At that time, a secret was made of which camera Google used for making these 360° photos. In this video, Pilentum explains which camera was used. Then, the Kodak PixPro SP360 Action Cam and the Kodak PixPro SP360 4K were used. Of course, the team had to reconstruct the camera so that it was small enough to fit it on the tracks under the overhead power line (catenary). And, the team had to build a small kind of a locomotive in HO scale, which automatically runs on the railway tracks. The yellow camera housing of the Kodak PixPro SP360 is clearly visible on the Google railcar. This camera is very good for creating 360° panoramic views. Especially when you take a look at the results on Google Street View, the camera's image quality is surprisingly very good. For making 360° photos from the miniature street level, the team constructed a 1/87 scale camera car that drove across the streets. Then, they used the Kodak PixPro SP360 4K Action Cam. The big secret was not the camera itself, but the technique with which the camera was used. Kodak had released this new camera, which takes video recordings in Ultra High Definition (4K quality), a few months later. If you are interested in the creation of 360° videos, you should take this camera because of the higher video resolution. The camera makes a photo or video with a camera angle of approximately 210°. Therefore, two cameras are required for making a full 360° panorama view: The first camera for the front view and the second camera for the rear view. In the next weeks, probably in September 2017, Kodak will launch a new camera on the market: The Kodak Orbit360 4K PixPro Action Cam. This camera has two lenses for the all-round view forward and backward.

Video #236#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReRjNyhrhS0

Cab ride on a super sized Marklin model railroad layout in HO scale (Part #2)

Do you remember the large model railroad layout with a size of 28 meters in length and 5 meters in width? On this miniature world built in 1/87 scale, there are 50 trains running simultaneously in digital railway control mode. There are two railway sections, an inner circle and an outer circle. In this video the train camera is driving along the inner circle. Because of the enormous length of the whole layout there are some fiddle yards or staging yards. Planning and construction of this model train layout began more than 10 years ago. Today, the railway layout is part of a public model railroading exhibit in Germany.

Video #235#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcJzz7PIDjU

Cab ride on a super sized Märklin model railway layout in HO scale (Part #1)

This model railway layout has got a size of 28 meters in length and 5 meters in width. On this miniature world built in HO scale, there are 50 trains running simultaneously in digital railway control mode. The area of the main station has got a length of approximately 15 meters. There are two railway sections, an inner circle and an outer circle. In this video the train camera is driving along the outer circle. Because of the enormous length of the whole layout there are some fiddle yards or staging yards. Planning and construction of this model train layout began more than 10 years ago. Today, the railroad is part of a public railway exhibition in Germany.

Video #234#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUgBGH31nYE

Explore the fantastic model trains and locomotives of the world's largest model railway exhibit

In Germany, there is the largest model railway exhibit of the world. It's a miniature world consisting of nearly 16,000 meters of train tracks and representing many places around the world. Started in 2000, the so-called Miniature Wonderland has been built with an eye for detail, humor and fantasy. Today, it has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in Germany. In this video Pilentum presents the fantastic model trains and locomotives only. There are locomotives and high speed trains from Germany, from Italia, from Austria, from Scandinavia and from the United States.

Video #233#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imynTm743Fk

The most beautiful trains and locomotives in the Netherlands

In this video you'll se the most beautiful trains and locomotives in the Netherlands. The video footage was shooten inside the famous Miniworld Rotterdam, a very large model railway exhibition built in HO scale.

Video #232#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6vGJN-DW3Q

Swiss Railway Modelling

In this video, Pilentum presents a pretty layout of the famous Brig-Visp-Zermatt-Railway of Switzerland. In reality, this railroad is a metre gauge railway in Switzerland. Its 44 kilometre long railway line links the communities of Brig and Visp in the Rhone Valley with Täsch and Zermatt in the Mattertal. It is that railway line where the famous Glacier Express drives between St. Moritz and Zermatt.

Video #231#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msQyBlWU1jU

Amtrak Trains, Burlington Nothern Railways and Pennsylvania Railroad HO Scale Layout

In this video, Pilentum presents a model railroad layout, located inside a German toy train museum. The railroad layout is about Amtrak Trains, Burlington Nothern Railways and Pennsylvania Railroad in HO scale.

Video #230#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwL-9Sq7OZ8

Model Railway Traffic on a Marklin Railroad Layout in HO Scale

This model train layout was built in HO gauge or 1/87 scale. There are trains, passenger trains and freight trains, of the German Federal Railway. On the railroad layout, there are some attractions, for example the very large central railway station with nine railway lines and four platforms. Furthermore, there are two miniature bike riders driving along the streets.

Video #229#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_bw0hpaTSw

Burlington Northern Model Railroad in 1/87 Scale

The Burlington Northern Railroad was a railway company formed from a merger of four major railroads in the United States. Pilentum found this model railway layout inside a German toy train museum. In this model railroad movie only one train is presented: A typically green Burlington locomotive with a yellow railbox freight car, with an Illinois Central Gulf freight car, with a Columbus and Greenville freight car, with a western Pacific freight car, and with a Conrail freight car with open doors an the end. Burlington Northern operated between 1970 and 1996. Its historical lineage begins in the earliest days of railroading with the chartering in 1848 of the Chicago and Aurora Railroad, a direct ancestor railway line of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, which lends Burlington to the names of various merger-produced successors. Burlington Northern purchased the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway on December 31, 1996 to form the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway, which was owned by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation.

Video #228#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCPNXyQor2s

Amtrak Model Train for Passenger Railroad Service in HO Scale

Amtrak, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, is a passenger railroad service that provides intercity service in the United States. In reality, Amtrak serves more than 500 destinations, operating more than 300 trains each day over 21,300 miles of track. Pilentum took some video shoots of an American model railway layout inside a German toy train museum. In this model railroad movie only one passenger train is presented: Two Amtrak locomotives with five passenger cars. I guess, it is an Amtrak Viewliner, Amtrak Amfleet or an Amtrak Horizon passenger car of Amtrak rolling stock.

Video #227#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWP1CsWPfBU

The Great Marklin Model Railroad Show in HO Scale

This permanent model railway exhibit was one of the first digitally controlled Märklin model train systems in Germany. By the year 2001, it was the largest model railway layout in the world with more than 700 square meters of exhibition space. The construction of the model railroad was started in 1997 and completed in 1999. Built in HO gauge or 1/87 scale, on the layout there are more than 250 model trains in action including electric trains and steam trains. There are typically German landscapes from the North Sea, from the Ruhr and Rhine area, from the Lake Constance, and from Switzerland including Swiss model locomotives and passenger cars. You will be impressed by the many bridges - breathtaking and spectacular railway bridges - connecting the German landscape to the Swiss landscape. Unfortunately, in December 2016 the model railroad exhibit was finally closed due to high operating costs.

Video #226#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCI_wb1kKms

Impressive City Edge Layout and Cab Ride with American Model Trains

This amazing city edge model railway layout was built by German model railroaders. They were so fascinated by American trains, for example Conrail Trains or Amtrak Trains, that they have built a modular model railway layout. The main modules present the typical street life in America, a locomotive depot, backyards, side streets and a large railway line. In Germany, American model railroads are rare. But this layout convinces with a very realistic modeling style. Locomotives and trains are scratch built in a very impressive way. Even streets and houses are scratch built.

Video #225#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJPRUpbzSjQ

Toy Trains in 1 Gauge at the Hamburg Model Railroad Museum

Today, Pilentum Television visits the large model railway layout inside the Museum of Hamburg History, Germany. Most people - in the context of Hamburg and model railway - are thinking about the great Miniature Wonderland, the largest model railway of the world. But many years before, a very large model railroad has been built in Hamburg. This model railroad wants to appear anything but commercial, but to present the railway history of Hamburg in an educational way. It is the 1 gauge railroad layout built by Germany’s first model railroad association in 1949. The origin of this beautiful layout dates back in 1944, when the Director of the Museum of Hamburg History had the idea to establish an exhibition of Hamburg’s railway history. In order to show Hamburg's railway history, a large exhibition hall inside the museum was chosen. And, a few years later, the idea of building a model railway layout came into reality. The members of Hamburg’s railroad association began to work. But note, this happened immediately after the Second World War. And, Germany was destroyed in ruins. Therefore, it is not a surprise that model railway friends from Sweden organized nearly 250 square meters of wood panels for the construction of the model railroad. After two years of construction, on October, 1949, the first layout of Hamburg’s model railroad was finished. However, over the years, there have been a number of smaller and even larger problems, but the analogue railway system was running for more than 40 years without a technical failure. In 1995, many parts of the first layout had failures. Locomotives and the rolling stock were also affected and had to be modernized. This is not surprising, because the rolling stock had travelled almost 6,000 kilometers along the model railway tracks. Anyway, the members of the railroad association were able to solve these problems successfully. But there was another big problem: The entire cabling of the model railroad had to be modernized. This problem was a disaster, because anyone, who builds model railroads, knows that there are numerous electrical cables and power connections that have to be installed along the tracks. It is a laborious work to fulfill this electrical installation. And, it was even more difficult to modernize the old electrical installation completely. The members of Hamburg's railroad association went to work again to restore the old railway layout. Old tracks were replaced by new tracks. The three-wire alternating power operation was switched to the two-wire DC operation. As a result, of course, all locomotives, passenger wagons and freight cars had to be retrofitted. Furthermore, the analogue model railroad control had to be exchanged. A full digital solution, which we know on the market today, was not used at that time, because hundreds or thousands of decoders had to be installed inside the rolling stock. But a very good solution was offered at that time by the computer-aided model railroad control of the company Gahler & Ringstmeier from Germany. With the Gahler & Ringstmeier system defined routes are stored for each model train. And, the current position of all available model trains is also monitored. However, in December 1996, this mammoth work was completed. Years later, the modernization of the railroad layout could be continued. New sections, new landscapes, and new railway stations were installed. And, the catenary was modernized, too. Finally, today's concept of the modernized and expanded railroad layout, is to present 100 years of railway history in Hamburg. This includes all trains of passenger and freight transport, from Prussian wagons to the new ICE high-speed train. Today, visitors of the Museum of Hamburg History enjoy 115 vehicles, including 60 steam locomotives, 13 electric locomotives, 26 diesel locomotives, 4 electric tramways as well as 12 diesel railcars, and much more. There are 185 passenger cars, and 380 freight cars. Since the opening of the model railroad layout in October 1949, this model train show was built by members of Hamburg’s model railroad association, and today it is still supervised by members of Hamburg’s railroad association. The exhibition takes 600 square meters. The model railway layout itself, has a size of 250 square meters. With a track length of more than 1,200 meters, there is a lot to discover on the left and right of the railway lines.

Video #224#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNJL8_lPriA

Big Model Trains and Cab Ride at the Dresden Model Railroad Museum

Inside the Dresden Transport Museum in Germany, there is a beautiful model railroad layout. It is an amazing O gauge model railway layout measuring more than 300 square meters. There is also a train collection of the finest scale models that were built in the German Democratic Republic. Yes, we are talking about the old GDR, also known as East-Germany. Then, this railroad layout was built as a teaching system for young railway engineers for learning the rail transport traffic. In a playful way, those railway engineers used the O scale model railroad trains to simulate the railway operation. They had to learn about the operation of multiple trains on the same railway line or on a large rail transport system. Using model trains they learned about the signalling control, the process by which control is exercised over train movements by way of railway signals and block systems to ensure that trains operate safely, over the correct route and to the proper timetable. Many years later, when the German Democratic Republic still existed, this train layout was installed inside Dresden Transport Museum. Today, it is a typical model train show which is very popular with the inhabitants of Dresden. When Pilentum visited the Dresden Model Railroad Museum he used a GoPro Hero 3 camera inside the diesel locomotives pulling freight cars. And, a second camera was installed on the right side of a passenger car. Thus these cab ride video recordings were made. Normally, the operation of multiple trains on the same layout is made easy due to DCC, digital command control. But at the Dresden Model Railroad Museum diesel locomotives, electric locomotives and steam locomotives do not have a DCC decoder inside. In Dresden, they are using the famous Gahler + Ringstmeier system - a block control system - which allows you to control each train individually. There are still model trains in analogue mode but they are controlled by a computer system. Today, there are approximately 30 locomotives and 115 coaches, mostly unique models or individual constructions corresponding to the railroad history of the GDR. There are heavy-weight locomotives generating a unique, unmistakable sound.

Video #223#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCLw2U2Mm_A

The miniature train passenger view on a model railway line 4K UHD

Basically, this railroad movie is nothing special, except that it has been produced in 4K and UHD. When Pilentum visited a large model railway exhibition in Germany, he had the idea not to install the camera inside the locomotive for making a cab ride video, but to install the Yi 4K+ camera on the side of the railway coach. This is a new and impressive camera angle: You feel like a passenger sitting in the train and looking out through the window. It is very attractive when trains pass by. Impressive are the scenes, when the train drives along the large railway station.

Video #222#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjOpfCr70AY

Cab ride on a very large model train layout in HO scale

This model train layout in HO scale was installed in a former railway museum in Germany. Then, the whole model railway layout was restored, and the train control was converted from analog technology to digital technology. Today, this display is one of many model railroad layouts at the largest model railway exhibition in Southern Germany. Totally, there are 126 model trains in action. A lot of the electric trains, steam trains and diesel trains are parked inside of the fiddle yards. The whole display has a length of 50 meters and varies in width from 1.6 meters to 2.2 meters. The entire layout has more than 1,100 meters of track length. Please, enjoy this beautiful cab rides along the whole railway exhibition.

Video #221#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkLTMylyH4c

Model Railway Layout with Diesel Trains and Steam Locomotives

This model railway layout in O scale was built as a modular model train display by a German railroader association. Before the members started model railroading, they decided on the one hand, that they want to build their railway in 1/45 scale, and on the other hand, that their home town should be the focus of their model landscape. Because the members are living in the Westphalia region, Germany, on the railroad layout there is a little railway line, non-electrified of the former Deutsche Bundesbahn. Passenger trains arrive and depart at the station. Diesel trains and freight trains are crossing the scenery.

Video #220#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjLO6gdhOUY

Fantasy Island Model Railroad Layout with Cogwheel Railway or Rack Railway in O Gauge

Imagine there would be a small island, somewhere in the world's seas. And, on this island a cogwheel railway or a rack railway is driving from the port, down in the valley, up to train station on the mountain. In the harbor a passenger ship rocks in the waves, and on the other side of the island a fishing port is located. On the sea, there are a submarine and a lighthouse. This is the whole model railway layout, based on 3 x 3 feet, that was built by Thomas Schmid from Switzerland. He named his absolutely amazing display in the French words Île VaOù, and his model train layout was awarded with several prizes, for example at the famous model train exhibit Ontraxs in the Spoorwegmuseum at Utrecht, Netherlands. Please, enjoy the little railway climbing the hills along bridges, along rock faces and along deep fissures in the mountains.

Video #219#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcsPOXF3hoU

At The Train Station of Josef Brandl 's Austrian Model Railroad Layout

This video was made at the largest model railway exhibit in Southern Germany which is built in HO scale. There are a few model train layouts arranged in one large exhibition hall. Pilentum was just set the camera beside the train station. Please, enjoy departures and arrivals of the toy trains on Josef Brandl 's Austrian model railroad layout, called the Duernstein Miniature World.

Video #218#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI40wjsYdic

Pilentum Model Railroads - At the Railway Line

While making the latest cab ride video with model trains in action, Pilentum was set the camera beside the railway line. Please, enjoy some fast electric trains, some freight trains and some high speed trains from Germany.

Video #217#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvsbN_fwHwo

Pilentum Model Railroad - At The Central Station

Once again, this video was made at the largest model railway exhibition in Southern Germany which is built in HO scale. Pilentum was just set the camera between the platforms at the large central station. Please, enjoy departures and arrivals of the toy trains.

Video #216#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyOdS3vHegI

Pilentum Model Trains - At The Railway Embankment

This video was made at the largest model railway exhibition in Southern Germany. Pilentum was just set the camera beside the railway embankment. Please, enjoy some fast diesel trains, some historic steam trains, some freight trains and some high speed trains.

Video #215#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rO6P5Cnec6k

The little steam train inside a realistic built model railway landscape in HO scale

This model railway layout is another masterpiece of European model train layouts. The landscape was built by Patrice Hamm from Alsace, France. On his narrow gauge railroad display, there are ancient buildings and houses in medieval style. Figures are behind the windows, and on the market square and in the corners of the houses are many details. The whole model railroad is professionally designed in HO scale or 1/87. Sometimes a steam train or a railcar runs along the landscape.

Video #214#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkt617LXpns

Heavy Freight Trains and Passenger Model Trains in action

This extremely large HO gauge model railway layout was built by Ivo Schraepen, a well-known model builder. The railroad display represents the great Hasselt railway station in Belgium. On its model railway, which has a length of almost 25 meters, the origin railway station is exactly rebuilt in 1/87 scale. All the real elements of the railway line are replicated on the model train layout. There are nine platforms available for passenger transport, and there are 14 railroad tracks available for freight trains.

Video #213#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zQt5Pp2o1Y

Porsche Model Railroad Museum with Model trains in HO Scale

For two days Pilentum filmed the whole model railroad museum built at 1/87 scale. Of course, not all scenes, buildings, locomotives and Marklin trains could be recorded on video. However, in this big movie, which has almost one hour playing time, you can watch a lot of the model train layout and of its details. The journey starts in the railroad section of Austria where trains arriving at the big central station. For example, there are some other stations, bridges and one large railway viaduct. Thereafter, the journey continues in the railway section of Switzerland. This part of the movie begins when the toy train is driving along the impressive bridge. In the Swiss section you will discover the great mountains, many railway lines and a central station again. Finally, the journey through the large model railroad layout ends in the section of Germany. There you can watch many castles representing Southern Germany, the landscape around the Lake Constance and some marshalling yards.

Video #212#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvrHMZatnic

Behind the scenes at Mr. Porsche ‘s Model Railway Museum

Many viewers asked Pilentum if there is a video recording in which you can look behind the scenes, for example looking into the fiddle yard or staging yard. And, the answer is yes. Pilentum made a cab ride from the Austrian model trains section to the Swiss model trains section. Therefore, the camera model train had to cross the big railway bridge. After crossing this bridge the camera loco is riding along the impressive fiddle yards or staging yards behind the scenes. These model railway tracks are hidden from view and allow trains to be stored by the operator. Please, enjoy the railroad landscape and railway scenery.

Video #211#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpYCrBuqN0c

When it gets night on Mr. Porsche ’s model railway layout, II

In 2015, Mr. Hans-Peter Porsche, the grandson of Ferdinand Porsche, the automobile designer of the famous VW Beetle, decided to build a toy train and model railroad museum in the South of Germany. Every 17 minutes the day changes into the night. At this moment, a beautiful light show and laser show are presented, which the world has not seen before. It is a unique and awesome mixture of computer animation, light and laser effects and Sound FX in the 400 square meter model railroad exhibition hall. There are more than 20 laser beamers spotting buildings, bridges and simulating amazing effects. If you’re going to visit Germany, then take a ride to the Mr. Porsche ‘s museum. It is called “Traumwerk Porsche” in the German language, meaning “Dreamworks Porsche” in the English language.

Video #210#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mf0XL6u1RsM

When it gets night on Mr. Porsche ’s model railway layout, I

This is one camera angle of the model railway layout of Mr. Hans-Peter Porsche. As you know, Hans-Peter Porsche is the grandson of Ferdinand Porsche, the automobile designer of the famous VW Beetle. In 2015, he built a special model railway museum in the South of Germany. This museum is called “Traumwerk Porsche” in the German language, meaning “Dreamworks Porsche” in the English language. And, there is a very large railroad display with many model trains in action made by Marklin. The large model railway layout has got an exhibition area of more than 400 square meters. Every 17 minutes the day changes into the night. At this moment, a beautiful light show and laser show are presented, which the world has not yet seen. It is a unique and amazing mixture of classic railroad model building and modern computer animation through a 360 degree laser video show panorama.

Video #209#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbUfNz_xkeE

G Scale Garden Train Model Railroad Cab Ride Yi 4K Camera

This is Germany in autumn: cloudy weather, cold, and hardly sunshine. We have installed a small Yi 4K camera in front of a LGB G scale locomotive for making a cab ride. In fact, nothing special. Note, it’s the first video on Pilentum’s YouTube channel in 4K video quality.

Video #208#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeDL7Wst0-U

Steam locomotives on an amazing model railroad layout in scale 1/32

This model railroad layout is one of Germany’s largest private model train displays in 1 Gauge. It is located near Frankfurt, Germany. The whole layout is built in 1 gauge or in gauge one or in 1:32 scale. There are not only model trains made by Marklin, but there are also the finest steam locomotives made by KM1 company and by KISS company. Any steam train is scratch built and weathered. Also the tracks, switches and railway lines are weathered. Inside the locomotives are sound decoders and smoke decoders. The model railway layout consists of two levels: The fiddle yard on the lower level and the normal railway display on the upper level. Here is a four-track railway station with a marshalling yard as well as an locomotive depot with turntable or wheelhouse. Note, planning and construction of this beautiful model railroad began in 2006.

Video #207#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40TrOQ9gBWo

Cab ride on Mr. Porsche ‘s very large model railroad layout

This is the model train layout of Mr. Hans-Peter Porsche. He is the grandson of Ferdinand Porsche, the automobile designer of the famous VW Beetle. Since his childhood, Hans-Peter Porsche collected tin toys from Marklin, from Bing and from other manufacturers. A few years ago, he decided to present his collection of toys to the public in a special museum. This museum is called “Traumwerk Porsche” in the German language, meaning “Dreamworks Porsche” in the English language. In addition to the toy collection, there is a large event hall for Porsche cars and a very large model railroad display with model trains in action. Outside, there is also a railroad and a playground for children. The Dreamworks model railway museum is located in the South of Germany. The large model railway layout has got an exhibition area of more than 400 square meters and represents the three countries Austria, Switzerland and Germany. Pilentum was capturing video footage of more than six hours, for example these beautiful cab rides along the whole railway exhibition. Please, enjoy the railroad landscape and railway scenery.

Video #206#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOUNHsi-78c

Cab ride on a model railroad display with Marklin and Kiss and KM1 steam trains

This beautiful model railroad layout belongs to a railway fan from Germany. He started construction in 2006. On this layout, there are two levels: The upper level represents a little village with a railway station, with a marshalling yard and with a round house for steam locomotives. The lower level contains a large fiddle yard. The whole layout is built in 1 gauge. Gauge 1, 1 scale or gauge one is a model railroading and toy train standard that was popular in the early 20th century, particularly with European manufacturers. Gauge one was standardized at 1:32 scale. Today, 1 gauge experiences a renaissance, first in the UK and then elsewhere. This was helped by 1 gauge being the same size as the modern G scale, a popular standard for outdoor model railroads.

Video #205#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNY6-0XK9Vo

The most beautiful model railway layout of Italy - State of the Art of Rail transport modelling

The new model railway layout of Italy is really a masterpiece and a work of art in the field of model building. It is located at the so-called “Wonderland of Miniatures” in Germany. Only then, when Pilentum was editing and cutting this YouTube video, he was able to find the thousands of details. Visitors of this model railroad exhibit will be a little overloaded because every square meter amazing, impressive and loving details. There are hundreds of little stories which a told by the sceneries of the model trains layout. Furthermore, the day and night illumination in Liguria and on the Amalfi Coast is impressive because it is like a light show. I guess, you must have seen this overwhelming scale model exhibit in Germany in person.

Video #204#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZvwBwUqNEM

The Great Model Railway Show - The most beautiful model railways in Europe

The great model railway show in Utrecht, Netherlands, is one of the largest exhibitions for model railways in Europe. There is an exhibit space of more than 20,000 square meters, and there are more than 50 model railway layouts from model railroad clubs, from railway enthusiasts and from model trains manufacturers. In this film by Pilentum, 18 of the most beautiful model railway displays are documented. At the great model railway show in Holland, there are also demonstrations in the area of model building. In addition, there is always a model railway market for trains, model railways, model building, collector's items, literature etc.

Video #203#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5f0FteAODs

Model Railway Exhibition Cologne Germany : The world of digital model railways

The world of model railways and railway modeling found a place at the large International Model Railway Exhibition from 17th - 20th November 2016 in Cologne, Germany. For four days, there was the home of the world of toy trains. At the exhibition were 208 exhibitors from 15 countries, for example market leader Marklin, Trix, LGB, Fleischmann, Roco and PIKO. Furthermore there were amazing model railway layouts displayed by exhibitors, model railroad clubs and rail transport modeling societies. In this film by Pilentum, 14 of the most beautiful model railway displays are documented.

Video #202#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0PsDBLOSHk

The Great Munich Model Railway Museum

For more than 30 years, the Munich Model Railway Museum has been one of the largest miniature and model railway exhibitions in Germany. Originally, the HO gauge layout was designed in 1978, and opened in 1980. At first, the layout was growing up to almost 400 square meters. More and more attractions were added to the model railroad system, such as a fairground or the simulation of aircrafts at the miniature airport. In 2008, the entire model railway layout and its electronics were renewed: The model railway control was converted from analogue to digital operation by DCC format. On the whole, the rolling stock consists of locomotives, coaches, and trains of all eras in order to offer a great variety of railway traffic and railway history to visitors. There are old German steam locomotives as well as modern high speed trains, such as Intercity, Railjet and Intercity Express.

Video #201#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxMOxVnRyaA

Model Railroad Layout with Steam Locomotive Depot in World War II

This model railway layout in HO gauge was made by Maciej Lukaszewicz from Poland. His layout is representing the old steam train and steam locomotive depot in Białogard, the most important railroad junction of the Middle Pomerania. Białogard became part of the German Empire in 1871. After World War II, it became part of Poland. The model railway layout presents the historic railway era, including the genuine Reichsbahn atmosphere around the year 1930. Then, the locomotive depot was located in Eastern Pomerania. Born in Poland, the model builder Maciej Lukaszewicz decided to build a German layout because he has got a detailed and excellent knowledge of technical German railway history. So the “Steam Locomotive Depot in World War II” is a very fine example of model making handicraft, including historic locomotives and rolling stock. There are perfectly modelled engine sheds, service buildings, and the large turntable. The size of the model railway layout is about 5.0 meters x 2.0 meters.

Video #200#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQyQpnfgeNk

The Italian Model Railroad Layout - State of the Art of Model Railroading

Perhaps you know that in Germany the world’s largest model railway exhibition exists. It’s a permanent model railway exhibit with thousands of model trains. There are several model railroad sections, such as Skandivania, Austria, Switzerland, Germany and the famous scale model airport. In September 2016, the new section was opened. This new layout is called “Beautiful Italy”, and it is a masterpiece in model railroading. The entire country of Italy is represented on an area of approximately 300 square meters. There are the volcano Vesuvius near Naples, Pompeii, the ancient Roman town-city, the beautiful Amalfi Coast along the coastline of the Salerno Gulf in Southern Italy, South Tyrol, Liguria, Tuscany and of course, the capital city Rome with its St. Peter's Basilica and the Colosseum or Coliseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre. Pilentum was using the Yi 4K camera for making this video footage because the wide-angle lens is meant to convey the enormous dimensions of this model railway layout.

Video #199#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuQeNZLAUAk

Beautiful Model Railroad in HO Scale by NMJ Norsk Modelljernbane

This model railway layout was built by the model train manufacturer NMJ Norsk Modelljernbane. This company is well known for producing Scandinavian model trains, locomotives, passenger coaches and freight cars. The Norwegian railroad display is called “Scandinavian Impressions”. There is the Hønefoss railway station, an important junction between the railway line between Oslo and Bergen in Norway. Some say, it is the famous Randsfjord railroad line. Furthermore, there are the beautiful scenery of Norway and Sweden.

Video #198#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdMnu75wvKU

Rail transport modelling with Soviet-built diesel locomotive for heavy freight trains

Walking along the large model railway exhibit in Cologne, Germany, Pilentum found this little model railway layout that was made by the German company NOCH, a manufacturer of model landscaping. Apart from this, on the railway display there was running the famous M62 locomotive. This is a Soviet-built diesel locomotive for heavy freight trains, exported to many Eastern Bloc countries. This type of locomotive was sent to East Germany between 1966 and 1978, too. This locomotive has a certain cult following among railfans, and is has got many nicknames, for example Gagarin in Poland, Iwan or Ivan and Siergiej or Sergej in Czechoslovakia, Szergej in Hungary, Taigatrommel (Taiga Drum) in Germany, Mukha in Belarus, and Sinsŏng in North Korea. In the Soviet Union the locomotive is called Mashka or Машка in the Russian language. Why this diesel loco is so famous? Because from the powerful noises and vibrations, when the locomotive runs.

Video #197#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3zvFHbJw9k

Model Railroad Layout by VBF Group with Italian High Speed Train Frecciarossa by Trenitalia

This modular model railway layout represents a small corner of the Tuscan coast in Italy. The display in HO scale or HO gauge was built by the railroader Mr. Vincenzo Bologna and his friends. They are calling themselves the “VBF Group Ferrara-Venturina”, and they are “Ferromodellista” from the botton of their heart. By the way, the word “Ferromodellista” in the Italian language means model railroad enthusiast in the English language. The whole model railroad layout has got a length of 18.5 meters and a width of 2.40 meters. There are famous Italian locomotives and passenger cars as well as the new high speed train Frecciarossa by Trenitalia.

Video #196#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-JMI3MB1Pk

The new Faller Car System Digital with Satellites for Automatic Vehicle Location

During the great model railway exhibition in Cologne, Germany, Pilentum Television had taken some video records from the new car system made by Faller. The famous Faller car system was updated to a digitally controlled system. Therefore, it is called “Faller Car System Digital”, now. The system offers a higher degree of reliability as well as a high degree of individual road traffic on the model railway layout or model street layout. Ultrasonic signals which are exchanged between the cars and the satellites, accurately determine the position of each vehicle. It is an automatic vehicle location for scale model cars. The software behind the system running on a computer calculates values for the car’s distance control. There is a fully automatic control for high traffic on the street layout, now. Similar to track plans at model train layouts, you can generate road maps with the miniature car system by Faller. Please, take a look at the computer display at 1:20 in this video file. The software at the computer display is presenting all information and settings clearly and graphically. The small model cars and the system are in permanent contact via a radio link. Via the radio link, each car receives driving commands and reports information, such as the state of charge or the current driving stage, back to the system. With this wireless connection, any function’s change is possible during driving. Unfortunately, the satellites, which are used for vehicle identification and for vehicle location, must be installed over the model railway layout. And, depending on the size of the layout, at least three satellites are required for fully automatic operation. Furthermore, it is a disadvantage, all the vehicles have a black radio and satellite sensor integrated on their roof, which does not look really nice. There are other car systems, like the DC-Car system (Germany) or the MCC ModelCarParts system (Netherlands), which appear to be more advantageous for true model building. Nevertheless, such a car system makes a lot of fun.

Video #195#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Z-l08rat7Q

The Beautiful Spanish Model Railway Layout with Cab Ride and RENFE Trains in HO Scale

This HO gauge model railway layout is based on the original railway line in Catalonia, Spain, between the city of Lleida and the city La Pobla de Segur. The railroad is called “The Train of the Lakes” because of its beautiful landscape. Frequently tourists use this railway route when they stay on vacation in Spain. There are trains from the Catalan railway company as well as Spanish RENFE trains. This model train layout was made by the Spanish modeler Mr. Jordi Auqué. He was commissioned by Mr. Raül Valls, the editor of the Spanish Railway Magazine “La Revista MásTren”, to build a beautiful Spanish railroad display. The layout in 1:87 scale depicts a part of the railway line in Catalonia, and has got a length of almost 25 meters. The locomotives and scale models of the Spanish RENFE trains are made by Electrotren, Ibertren and Mabar. Furthermore there are some unique self-made or hand-made scale models.

Video #194#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqWAIXEgeRY

British Model Railway Layout Ladeside Diesel Depot in O Gauge

At the international model train exhibit in Cologne, Germany, Mike Bisset and John Donaldson presented their famous model railway layout, called Ladeside Diesel Depot. The model railroad system was built in O gauge or O scale, and it depicts a diesel locomotive depot in the early 1960s of British Railways. Then, diesel locomotives were starting to take over from the old steam trains. The brand new locos could often be seen standing side by side with steam engines in dirty rundown steam depots. The authorities soon discovered that these old steam sheds were not the ideal environment for the maintenance of diesel locomotives and they decided to convert the former steam sheds to provide basic servicing and fueling facilities for the diesels. The model train layout of “Ladeside Diesel Depot” is typical of such conversions. The layout is based on the former steam shed at Ardrossan in the south-west of Scotland. The railroad system is DCC wired and all diesel locomotives are fitted with sound decoders, some even have smoke generators. Some steam locomotives are also in evidence, and they are also fitted with sound decoders and smoke generators. The size of the model railway layout is about 7.0 meters x 2.0 meters.

Video #193#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viKOOT2sCss

Cab Ride from Follonica to San Vincenzo Station in Italy

At the great model railway exhibition in Cologne, Germany, Pilentum met Vincenzo Bologna from Italy. He was building this modular model train layout. Vincenzo and his friends, called VBF Group Ferrara-Venturina, were building a small corner of the Tuscan coast in Italy in HO scale. There are the San Vincenzo railway station, the electrical substation at Campiglia Marittima, and the Follonica railway station, all located along the coastline opposite the island of Elba. The whole model railroad layout has got a length of 18.5 meters and a width of 2.40 meters. This was large enough to make a cab ride along the Italian landscape. By the way, Vincenzo Bologna Ferromodellista constructed 6 buildings using plywood, cardboard and biscuit cartons in order to build a realistic replica. In total, 72 catenary masts were made out of little brass tubes. Please, enjoy this cab ride from Follonica to San Vincenzo.

Video #192#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5z7l8sfRVuk

Cab Ride from San Vincenzo to Follonica Station in Italy

This modular model train layout was built by Vincenzo Bologna from Italy. Pilentum met him at the great model railway exhibition in Cologne, Germany. Vincenzo and his friends, called VBF Group Ferrara-Venturina, were building a small corner of the Tuscan coast in Italy in HO scale. There are the Follonica railway station, the electrical substation at Campiglia Marittima, and the San Vincenzo railway station, all located along the coastline opposite the island of Elba. The whole model railway layout has got a length of 18.5 meters and a width of 2.40 meters. This was large enough to make a cab ride along the Italian landscape. By the way, Vincenzo Bologna Ferromodellista constructed 6 buildings using plywood, cardboard and biscuit cartons in order to build a realistic replica. In total, 72 catenary masts were made out of little brass tubes. Please, enjoy this cab ride from San Vincenzo to Follonica.

Video #191#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHoRDbRGh1M

Impressive and Lovely Built O Gauge Model Railroad Display

This modular model railway layout was built by two German model railroaders. They wanted to construct a scale model of the North German landscape. There are lovely built details, for example the two swans or the guys hanging around at the fish factory. And, there are beautiful steam locomotives and passenger coaches.

Video #190#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHXb0JYtPqw

Z Scale Model Railway Display Standen Watchett from Britain

The model railway enthusiasts Graham and Damien Jones were showing their little model railway layout, called “Standen Watchett”, built in Z scale. The layout presents a fictitious location on the East Coast main line, with a main central station at one end and a viaduct leading into a tunnel at the other. Sorry, Pilentum had difficulties to film this small scale 1:220 because light was missing in the the exhibition hall during the model trains show in Cologne, Germany. The special feature of this model railway layout is the rolling stock because locomotives and coaches were built using CAD with a 3-D printer. And, there is an overhead contact line, an overhead wire or a catenary in this small Z Gauge scale. This model railroad system will be presented at the Warley National Model Railway Exhibition, too.

Video #189#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUJpbpro0fM

N scale model railway layout from Finland

At the international model railway exhibition in Cologne, Germany, this modular model railway layout with typical Finnish landscapes was presented by Kai Vehmersalo and Tapani Laakso in N scale. The size of the model train layout is about 7.0 meters x 6.0 meters. The rail enthusiasts and railway modellers from Finland were building the famous Lahti Vesijärvi harbor area in 1950 in N Gauge connecting the lake transport to and from the railway, which was important in the old days. And, there is the beautiful Punkaharju district with its old railroad track.

Video #188#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7tKP0t2Lak

Cab Ride on Spanish Model Railroad Layout in HO Scale

In this video, Pilentum presents the famous model railroad layout which was built by the Spanish modeler Mr. Jordi Auqué in HO scale. Along the cab ride you will see several model trains of the Spanish RENFE company, Red Nacional de los Ferrocarriles Españoles, made by Electrotren and Ibertren.

Video #187#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14ZqRe_H5ro

TT Scale Model Railroad Layout with Trains from the Czechoslovak State Railways

In the Czech Republic, Eastern Europe, are ambitious railroad enthusiasts, too. Due to historical development, they don’t use HO gauge or HO scale but TT gauge or TT scale. TT scale is a niche model railroading scale, whose name stands for “Table Top”. Its 1/120 scale, a gauge size between HO scale (1/87) and N scale (1/160). Its original purpose was to make model trains small enough to be able to assemble and operate it on a table. TT model trains retains a small niche in the United States and in the United Kingdom, but growing popularity in the former East Germany, and it is the second most popular model railroading scale in Eastern Europe and Russia. In this video, the model railway layout was built by the Czech model building club called KŽM Trutnov. On the TT display, there are motives of the old Czechoslovak State Railways. On the club’s TT layout is also a doubletrack railway line in Bohemia, a large central station, and a narrow gauge railroad. A big part of the rolling stock was handmade by the club members. The size of this outstanding TT gauge layout is 6.0 x 4.5 meters.

Video #186#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tRIhSA7Xhw

Impressive Model Railroad Layout by Club de Modelisme de Draveil from France in HO scale

In France, there is a model railroader club, called “Club de Modelisme de Draveil”. The members are best known for their modular model railway layouts. Often they are going to present their model train layout at model train shows. The latest layout is called “Saint Libéral” presenting a French village in the 1950’s. The rail tracks and points are made by Peco Company. Most of the rolling stock is taken from various toy train and railroad manufacturers. The outstanding element of this French model railway layout is the market place. It is one of the most impressive features of the whole layout because there is a rotating panel for three different days. On Wednesday there is a market, on Fridays there is a circus, and on Sundays there are kids playing soccer. And, there is a helicopter landing.

Video #185#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHOA2lSJmRo

Amazing Railway Layout in HOn3 gauge with Rocky Mountains and Winter Landscape

For Pilentum’s friends from the United States, these video records were made. It is an amazing model railway layout in HOn3 gauge presenting the snowy winter landscape of the Rocky Mountains. This outstanding layout was built by Pit Karges from Luxembourg, a country in Western Europe, between Belgium and Germany, and north of France. The railway modeler Pit Karges called this HOn3 scale model train layout “The First Snow on the High Line”. The visible part of the display is 2.0 meters x 0.5 meters, only. The remaining part of the railroad display is hidden behind a fiddle yard. Steam locomotives, excellently weathered and fitted with sound decoders, are used from Blackstone. The model trains are controlled with a Digitrax and Loconet system.

Video #184#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buE4prfbT2E

Beautiful Narrow Gauge Model Trains with Realistic Catenary made by Niek Talsma

This amazing model railway layout was built by Niek Talsma from the Netherlands. Although he lives in Holland, he is a friend of the railroad in Switzerland, especially of the narrow gauge railway lines. His beautiful model trains are running through the mountain landscape of Switzerland. Central focus is the realistic catenary or overhead power line. All locomotives are operated with their current collector or pantograph on the overhead contact wires, and the passenger cars and trains have got interior lighting. Enjoy this modular railway layout with a size of 8.0 meters x 1.0 meters.

Video #183#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgPzlAUpxrU

Narrow Gauge Model Railway Display with Swiss Model Trains by BEMO

In Germany, there is the company BEMO which is known in the model railway scene for its locomotives, passenger cars and freight cars in narrow gauge 1/87 scale. They are producing rolling stock in a track gauge of 12 mm or 0.472 inches, that is called HOn3½ (NMRA) and H0m (NEM); this means metre gauge and 3 ft 6 inch in reality. Furthermore, there are narrow gauge tracks in HOn2½ or HOn30. The company BEMO was established in 1976, and they presented the first products at the Nuremberg Toy Fair. Since then, various model trains were manufactured, especially Swiss scale model trains. Please, enjoy this railroad display showing trains and locomotives from Switzerland.

Video #182#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8RUPhvfAOI

HO Gauge Model Railway Cab Ride at the Kaeserberg Railway Museum

Pilentum Television is fascinated by cab ride videos. Therefore, Pilentum made a cab ride on the railway line at the Kaeserberg Railway Museum in Switzerland.

Video #181#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmIDb6eyxnE

Toy Train Cab Ride and Electric Trains in Action at the Kaeserberg Railway and Railroad Museum

This is one of Pilentum’s favorite model railway layouts. It is the famous Kaeserberg Railway and Railroad Museum in Switzerland. In this video you can watch a cab ride along the model train display.

Video #180#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GntqrG5BCng

Model Trains Cab Ride in HO Scale

When you are fascinated by cab rides on model railways layouts in HO scale, enjoy this little cab ride on a large model railroad show.

Video #179#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFRjNbK6a3c

Model Train Cab Ride in HO Scale

When you are fascinated by cab rides on model train layouts in HO scale, enjoy this cab ride video made at the beautiful Kaeserberg Railway Museum in Switzerland.

Video #178#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xWXcRhlqtg

Model Railway Cab Ride in HO Scale

Pilentum Television knows that you are fascinated by cab rides on model railway layouts. Please, enjoy this little cab ride with model trains in HO scale at the beautiful Kaeserberg Railway Museum in Switzerland.

Video #177#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=314MUPPxM7Y

Cab Ride in HO scale on a German model railroad layout

Pilentum Television knows that you are fascinated by cab ride videos from model railroad layouts. Please, enjoy this cab ride with model trains in HO scale. It is a model railway exhibition in Germany. Inside the locomotive a miniature camera was installed.

Video #176#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlfx9xCKMpg

HO Scale DCC Model Railroad Layout of the Amtrak Northeast Corridor

A model railway layout, which is about the famous Northeast Corridor in the US, was built by a German model railway team with perfect weathering and scratch built trains. The Northeast Corridor is an electrified railway line in the Northeast of the United States. Owned primarily by Amtrak, it runs from Boston through New York City, Philadelphia, and Baltimore to Washington. The Northeast Corridor is the busiest passenger rail line in the United States. And, it is used by many Amtrak trains, including the high-speed Acela Express, intercity trains, and several long-distance trains. Most of the corridor also has frequent commuter rail service, operated by the MBTA, Shore Line East, Metro-North Railroad, New Jersey Transit, SEPTA, and MARC. The model railway presents a small section of the corridor, which is built so realistic that you would like to watch the model trains for hours. There is a railway station, where numerous locomotives are serviced. And, there are a typical American small town as well as a commercial or industrial area.

Video #175#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCSGpsQoyas

The Funicular Scale Model down in the Romanian Forest

This model railway layout was designed by the German artist and model maker Hans Poscher. His layout, showing the famous forestry railway and funicular of Covasna-Comandau in Romania, has been presented and honored at many model train shows in Europe. In 1997, Hans Poscher visited the village of Covasna in Romania and he found this funicular in reality. Immediately after this trip to Romania, he was thinking about modelling this trains, cable cars and funicular as a scale model. He build this railroad system with all the details, especially with the platform carriages, with the station house, with the machine house, with the track system, etc. The model train layout is built in 1:43 scale or O scale narrow gauge with a track width of 16.5 mm. Houses, switches and rolling stock were almost completely made by hand. Rails are taken from the manufacturers PECO and TILLIG.

Video #174#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcqBhykJgrU

Model Railway HO scale with animal park by the model railroad club TCM Netherland

Modular model railway layout in HO gauge or HO scale built by the model railroad club TCM Netherlands. It is a typical layout on modular design with a lot of segments. Each member of the railroad club builds its own segment, and at a model train show, all modules are linked together. The exhibition area of this Dutch model railway layout, including an animal park, is about 15 meters x 30 meters.

Video #173#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0I9LFv47ac

Model Railroading and the famous Brusio spiral viaduct

The Brusio spiral viaduct, some say “Brusio circular viaduct”, is a single-track nine-arched stone spiral railway viaduct. It is located near Brusio, Switzerland, and was opened on 1 July 1908. The Brusio spiral viaduct is a part of the Bernina Railway. Normally, you would think, that this model railway layout was made by Swiss model railroaders. But this layout came from the Netherlands. In Holland, there is a very special model railway association. Its members work exclusively on modular model railway segments with Swiss landscapes and with Swiss trains, only. Every Tuesday, almost 20 model builders and model railroaders meet to build on their model railway system.

Video #172#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQeYjSYk2W0

N Scale Fleischmann Model Railroad Layout from the Netherlands

This mountain railroad in N gauge was built by the model railway club MSG Oudenbosch from the Netherlands. The club has got 30 members, who meet twice a week for railway modelling. They are working on modular model railway layouts in N gauge as well as HO gauge.

Video #171#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUlVH5yAzZE

Model Railroad in HO scale by ModelSpoorClub de Kempen from Belgium

This model railroad system in HO scale was made by the Belgian model railway club, named “ModelSpoorClub De Kempen”. The railway club was founded in 2000. Its members are concentrating on the construction of modular model railways for model train shows in Europe. This railroad system in HO gauge represents an old railway line between Scherpenheuvel station and Zichem station in Belgium.

Video #170#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppilX59VDB4

British Model Railway Layout in OO Gauge with Cab Ride

At the international model train exhibit Eurospoor in Utrecht, Netherlands, the British Mickleover Model Railway Group presented its famous model railway layout Farkham. The model railroad system was built in OO gauge. OO gauge or OO scale, also spelled 00 gauge and 00 scale, model railways are the most popular standard-gauge model railway tracks in the United Kingdom. This track gauge is one of several 4 mm scale standards used. Farkham, a quiet Midlands town in England, is served by an occasional passenger service with freight being the main traffic on this secondary railway line. Beyond the station and town centre, the land opens out to reveal a small freight yard, whilst the main line gently curves away with a mixture of old and new buildings following its course. The concept behind Farkham was to capture the atmosphere of an urban scene with the railway passing through. This has been attempted, by locating buildings and trees at the front of the layout to break-up the direct lines of sight between the viewer and the trains, so when looking at the model the trains will come in and out of view creating a series of interesting cameos. This encourages the viewer to look into the layout and not just at it and siting the twin tower blocks at the front, along with other large structures and trees, has created visual barriers to enable this. Finally to create a realistic scene and make everything visually blend together, each item has been weathered to differing degrees. Trackwork on the layout is all hand built using C&L and Peco components and is to finescale 16.5 mm gauge standards. The major aspect of the model is its buildings and structures and whilst some of these are modified kits, most have been scratch built. The rolling stock on the layout is detailed, repainted and weathered with a large number of kit and scratch built items. Special thanks from Pilentum Television to the members of Mickleover Model Railway Group for making possible the beautiful cab ride video recordings.

Video #169#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kP8cslep2w

Modular Model Train Layout in N Gauge with Dutch Trains

In the Netherlands, there is a model railroad association located at the city of Delftse. The members are enthusiasts in model railway building, whose hearts are striking for N gauge scale model trains. In October 2016, at the great model train show they presented their model railway layout called “Dutch Model Railroading”. Each member has developed its own module or segment, for example with bridges, with railway stations, with curves, etc. The modular railroad system has got the advantage that their layout can be installed in various sizes at railway exhibits.

Video #168#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epPIyoM2S3c

Cute and tiny model railroad layout with winter landscape by Hans Louvet

This cute model railway layout is a tiny diorama, a scale model of a winter landscape scene, built by the Dutch artist Hans Louvet. There is snow everywhere. Even the small steam locomotive and its passenger cars are decorated with snowflakes.

Video #167#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9heH7cAP0xQ

Superb Model Railway Layout from the Valkenswaard Model Railway Group

The Valkenswaard Model Railway Group was founded in 1990 with the main objective of modelling beautiful modular model railway layouts in HO scale for visiting model train exhibitions in Europe. Their latest layout is about a Dutch railway line in southeast Brabant region in the 1950’s and 1960’s.

Video #166#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRSgCd1d3o0

Beautiful French Modular Model Railway Layout with Cab Ride in HO Scale

In France, there exists a model railway association, called “Trains Miniatures de l'Omois”. This French model train club has 35 members concentrating on the construction of modular model railway layouts and model railway segments in HO scale only. They do not have a permanent model railroad system because the members like to visit model railway exhibitions and other events for presenting their beautiful model railway layout. While modular model railway layouts often consist of segments that are built very simple or without landscapes, the French segments delight the viewer with an infinite number of beautiful details. For Pilentum it was hardly possible to record all these details on video, for example the old city, the beautiful French railway stations, the old castle, the market square, etc. Therefore, Pilentum and the model train club members were made some cab rides along all railroad segements.

Video #165#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sihIhFV9qJ4

Narrow Gauge Model Railway Layout with Steam Locomotive made by MSC Spijkspoor

The model railway club MSC Spijkspoor was founded in 1971 in the Netherlands. 36 members are focusing on the construction of modular model railway segments, modular systems and railway dioramas. At the great model train show in Utrecht, Netherlands, they presented the latest layout: A narrow gauge layout consisting of three railroad segments, each with the dimensions of 1.25 meters length x 0.62 meters width. Model trains, among others steam locomotives, diesel locomotives and trolley busses, are running on an idyllic landscape, which is located in the south of Germany.

Video #164#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g86a7Bh0oDg

Model Trains Layout with Thousands of Funny Details in HO Scale

This model railway layout is called “Peterseck” in the German language, and it means something like “Peter's Corner” in the English language. The layout is made in HO scale by PEMOBA. PEMOBA is an abbreviation for “Peter's Modellbaan”. Peter is a model builder and model railway enthusiast from the Netherlands. He started railway modelling, when he had received a Marklin starter set at the age of 6 years. Since then, he has built his model railroads either in the bedroom or on the attic. In 2000, however, Peter decided to visit model train exhibitions for presenting his model trains. Therefore, he was also at the model railway exhibition Eurospoor in Utrecht, Holland. There, he presented his model railway layout containing thousand details, self-made buildings and many moving figures. The railroad is almost in the background, because the attention of the spectators is directed, for example, to the restaurant with a mobile waiter, to the small toy railway in the window, or to the neighbors who are cutting the hedge at the railway line.

Video #163#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8t2qsTVSeo

Modular Model Railroad Layout by Stichting M-TRAK Baan with Dutch Model Trains

The Dutch model railway club, called “Stichting M-TRAK Baan”, presented its modular model railroad layout in HO scale at the famous model train exhibition in Utrecht, Netherlands. It is a typical modular railway system in 1/87 scale with Dutch trains.

Video #162#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_vf8zRABpo

Model Train Layout with Field Railway and Brick Factory in O Scale Narrow Gauge

This little model train layout was built by Hans Louvet. He is an artist in railway modelling and model railroading in the Netherlands. The model railroad layout presents a beautiful rail transport system with field railway and brick factory on approximately 0.25 square meters.

Video #161#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOGO-9oUcJI

N scale model railway layout by Association Françaises des Amis du N

The French model railway club, Association Françaises des Amis du N, presented its large modular model train layout called “The train station of Chalon-sur-Saône”. The model railroad system is built in N scale showing typical French locomotives and trains.

Video #160#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2gvQDsmWBg

Model railway Pempoul by Gordon and Maggie Gravett

This superb French model railway layout was built by Gordon and Maggie Gravett in 1:50 scale with 18.2 mm track gauge. The model train display is based on the now defunct Reséau Breton system in Brittany, northern France. This French railroad was a narrow gauge railway system with a length of nearly 425 kilometers around the city of Carhaix-Plouguer. The narrow gauge system was operational until 1967. Then, it was one of the largest railway networks in narrow gauge in France. The model railroad layout, called Pempoul, presents a little village, a station and a railway junction. The model railway layout is so deceptively real that it was presented in the BBC TV show “The Joy of Train Sets”. Please, enjoy this masterpiece of model railroading.

Video #159#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhL6AFDt_nI

Street Life Scale Model and Police Crash in Chicago

At the large model railway exhibition, called Eurospoor 2016 in Utrecht, Netherlands, the members of Beneluxspoor present one of their famous little model railway layouts respectively the model railway module “Sweet Home Chicago”. On the little display, there are police cars, buildings and the presumed street life of Chicago.

Video #158#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEaqEXuBT70

Model railroad masterpiece made by Hans Louvet

This beautiful model railway layout was built by Hans Louvet from the Netherlands. The model railroad presents the old narrow gauge based tramway de Puy de Dôme near Clermond-Ferrand, France. The model shows the little village, La Baraque, with its buildings and with the old tramway. The layout was built in 1:64 scale, narrow gauge respectively meter gauge. The dimension of the model train layout is 300 x 180 cm but there are thousands of amazing details. It looks like it is real: The scratch built and weathered locomotives, and the deceptively real buildings. Please, enjoy this masterpiece of model railroading.

Video #157#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pf6URENeBYk

The Beautiful Model Railroad Layout at the Kaeserberg Railway Foundation

The Kaeserberg Railway Foundation built one of the largest model railway layouts in Switzerland. Time taken to build 17 years with a total surface area of 610 square meters in HO scale. There are normal track gauge 16.5 mm (HO) and narrow track gauge 12.0 mm (HOm). The length of the track system is about 2,045 meters. It is a fantastic and amazing model railway layout with its own philosophy and history. The story of the Kaeserberg Railway Foundation: It's eleven o'clock. The sky is clear, the air dry and cold. The station master announces the arrival of the train for St. Jakobstadt. I turn to look one last time at the Kaeserberg, as if to make sure it hasn't disappeared. It is as beautiful as ever. I board the train and it pulls away slowly. In front of me, a small seven year-old boy, nose glued to the window, observes the billowing smoke from a steam engine of the Kaeserberg railway. We leave the small Graubunden village of Kaeserberg. The train penetrates deeper into the valley. The autumn countryside passes by the window. On emerging from the forest, St. Jakobstadt and its large station can be seen in the distance. The train slows down and stops. Off to one side, workmen are busy loading and unloading goods trains. This is the philosophy of the Kaeserberg Model Railway layout. It is a wonderful story, the tale of a childhood dream that became a reality thanks to the imagination, determination and patience of its designer, Marc Antiglio. The Model Railway Layout: The entire network is imaginary. However, meticulous attention to detail has been paid to the landscape and the work of the railway to ensure they are as faithful as possible to the Swiss reality. Built on three levels on a scale of 1:87, the network comprises 2,045 meters of track. Four railway lines operate in the Kaeserberg mountain region, managed by three companies: the CFF (Swiss Federal Railway), the RhB (Rhaetian Railway) and the KBB (Kaeserberg Railway). In order to make his dream come true and build the network, Marc Antiglio worked hard, spending hours at the drawing board to determine the specifications, design and trace out the plans of the future network and bring to fruition a concept that had lain in his mind for many years. The first level: The trains are marshalled in a large two-storey station. This station has purposely been left without a landscape. These trains run by computer control over the entire network on all levels. 87 trains are available (CFF 59 and RhB 28) and 33 are in reserve (CFF 20 and RhB 13). Trains arrive at the upper level by means of a spiral ramp developing a height of 2,4 meters and a length of 134 meters. This track is not visible to the visitors. Trains then arrive at a marshalling yard. With its 16 tracks (13 CFF and 3 RhB), this station allows train traffic to be regulated on the network. The second level: The main console controls the circulation of trains serving the station of St. Jakobstadt, the meeting point of 2 companies (CFF and RhB). St. Jakobstadt is revealed with its large 15-track station (12 CFF and 3 RhB). Contrary to the first level, all train movements are executed from the control console. In the background, the foothills of the Kaeserberg can be admired, with the road and track of the RhB criss-crossing the sides of the mountain towards the Graubunden village of Kaeserberg. After the big station the visitor looks onto shunting, loading and unloading tracks and a track service depot. This area is completed by a storage area for hydrocarbons and a landscaping company. In the background can be seen the 4 tracks leading into and out of the station. Running parallel over a distance of 20 meters, the 2 lines eventually separate. One winds its way towards the Monikastein tunnel, the other towards the station of Graberegg. This tourist village is the departure point for boat cruises, coach trips and journeys on the funicular railway. The third level: Here we discover the village of Kaeserberg where the architecture of the houses is different, in the style of the canton of Graubunden. This village is the starting point for excursions by train or coach. RhB trains bring passengers, who can travel on to the summit of the Kaeserberg or climb the mountainside along the Waglisbach valley.

Video #156#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAeINnRDRVs

The Railway Line of Jakobstadt in Switzerland

There is heavy traffic on the railway line of Jakobstadt in Switzerland. It is the famous railway line near the central station of the famous Kaeserberg Model Railroad Layout.

Video #155#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lV8CQ_uypU

Model Railway Bridge of Graberegg in Switzerland

Do you like Swiss railways? Then you may also like Swiss model railways. This is the famous railway bridge of Graberegg, Switzerland. Now, let us begin to count the trains.

Video #154#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6QUjCYdZ0E

Model Railway Layout with Cab Ride of Beautiful Swiss Trains in HO scale

There is a fantastic model railway layout in Switzerland. The model railroad was built in 1:87 scale - both with normal track sections and with narrow track or gauge railways sections, HO scale and HOn3½ gauge. This film was made with the very wide-angled Yi 4K camera to illustrate the enormous dimensions of the whole model train layout. The railroad system extends over three levels: On the lowest, first level there is a large shadow station, in which more than 300 trains and train combinations are stored. From there, the model trains are going the climb a 3.4 meter high track spiral to the main middle-level. On the second, middle level there are a big railway station as well as a goods and marshalling yard with container terminal and tank storage. Opposite the main station, there is a little village with two railway lines. While the one railway line runs over the large lattice bridge, the other railway line passes through the village. In total there are trains of the Swiss Federal Railroad as well as of the Rhaetian Railway. Please, enjoy the cab rides and the wide-angled field of view.

Video #153#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCa20mCk0FE

Amazing Marklin pre-war tinplate fully functional model railway in O scale

Originally, the company named Bing, based in Nuremberg, Germany, manufactured the first toy trains made of tin. On the contrary to today's model railway, these tinplate trains were primarily focused on gaming experience, not on scale conformity or on details. Model trains from the early years - the pre-war period - were mainly made of tin or tinplate. In the 1920’s Bing was the European market leader in tinplate model railways, which were initially operated with a wind-up power and later with electric power. Even the famous company Marklin focused on model railways and produced in the 1930's tin plate trains. Today, railways as well as tin toys of yesterday are absolute rarities. And, if it still is a fully functional model railway, then it’s absolutely unique.

Video #152#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lxIxD_U-Ao

Model Railway Layout with High Speed Trains in HO scale

This model train layout is one of the most beautiful model railway exhibitions, which was built by a railroad club in Germany. In January 2016, Pilentum visited this model railroading club and made a film. Now, in August 2016, Pilentum visited this model train exhibition again. There are spectacular camera angles and some funny scenes, for example the electrician. A special mention must also get the model tram, which was also filmed from great camera angles.

Video #151#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=172LrIHw9Dg

Funny Red Light District of a Miniature World

In the truest sense of the word, with a lot of love, members of a model railway club built a small diorama of a funny red light district in HO scale. Normally, they are constructing model train layouts, but sometimes they do something new: A street with nightclub, bars, pubs, nudism and nudes on the roof, table dancers and other erotic establishments. Enjoy this little world of love.

Video #150#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAn0-_4smbM

The Litte Railway Depot or Locomotive Depot or Motive Power Depot in 1 Scale

This engine shed, train depot or railway depot was constructed by the members of a German model railway club. It is built in 1 Scale or 1 Gauge. In this place usually locomotives are housed when not being used, and also repaired and maintained. Steam locomotives are there for coaling, watering, refuelling and replenishing water, lubricating oil and grease and, for disposal of the ash. At this running shed or engine shed there is also a workshop for day to day repairs and maintenance. There are beautiful locomotives, for example the German steam locomotive class 50 and the famous Swiss Crocodile locomotive, a steeplecab electric locomotive. Please enjoy this litte motive power depot or traction maintenance depot.

Video #149#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JBTqHuyH0

Model Railway in HO scale of Switzerland

The trains of Switzerland are famous. So it was only a matter of time to build a model railway layout of Switzerland at the world’s largest model train exhibition in Hamburg, Germany. The Swiss layout was opened in 2007 on an exhibition area of over 250 square meters. On the Swiss model railroad layout there are beautiful landscapes and many model trains of the Swiss Federal Railways, which are known as SBB, CFF or FFS.

Video #148#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBKXMRhXCE0

The City of Hamburg in Germany as Model Railroad Display in HO Scale

As you know, the world’s biggest model train exhibition is located in the city of Hamburg, Germany. And, one of the first model train layouts in this exhibition was the model railway of Hamburg. Nearly all city attractions were reconstructed in HO gauge or 1:87 scale. On the model railway layout, there are the great Hamburg Central Station, the large soccer stadium, the St. Pauli district and the famous harbor. The model railroad display of Hamburg has got an exhibition are of more than 200 square meters.

Video #147#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9j3cQOJC6To

Model Railway Layout in HO scale with German Landscapes

At the famous model railway exhibit in Hamburg, Germany, also German landscapes and German cities are shown in HO scale. One of them is called city of Knuffingen, a town with the amazing car system. This car system is called microcars or minicars or Faller Car System or DC Car or simply model car. On the Knuffingen model train layout there are many German model trains, a lot of self-driving cars and trucks in 1:87 scale. There are also police cars, a fire department and many magnificent attractions.

Video #146#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOMaXiAiP_M

Chesapeake & Ohio Hudson Locomotive No. 490 in 1:32 Scale Live Steam

The locomotive no. 490 was constructed by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) for the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway (C&O) in 1926. This great steam locomotive was used on passenger trains on the mainline east of Charlottesville and west of Clifton Forge. In 1930, locomotive no. 490 was assigned to the so-called Sportsman train, the premier C&O passenger train at the time. Later, the locomotive operated between the Cincinnati and Washington route. After World War II Chesapeake & Ohio Railway decided to upgrade their passenger service. They rebuilt the locomotive no. 490 from 4-6-2 into 4-6-4 type locomotive. And they gave them the name Hudson. The new Hudson locomotive had roller bearings, front-end throttle, high-speed booster, cross counterbalance, and the Franklin system of steam distribution. This video is representing a prototype of Hudson locomotive no. 490 in 1:32 scale Live Steam made by Bowande.

Video #145#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FT5etRXon4

Model Railroad of the United States of America in HO scale

The model railway layout of the United States was opened in the year 2003 at the Miniature Wonderland, Germany. A special attraction is the city of Las Vegas, which is illuminated at night with more than 30,000 small lamps. Furthermore, other landscapes of the United States of America are rebuilt in HO scale, for example the Florida Keys, the Grand Canyon and Cape Canaveral. Even the highway in front of the Mount Rushmore National Memorial and the Yosemite National Park are amazing attractions because of the famous car system including self-driving miniature trucks and mini cars.

Video #144#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHHJ-1NjS68

Model Railroad of Norway with cruise ship in HO scale

The model train layout of Norway was opened in 2005. It is located at the famous Miniature Wonderland, Germany. The main attraction is the large saltwater pool, which includes more than 30,000 liters of water representing the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. Also noteworthy is the Great Belt Bridge. The model railroad of Norway represents the port of Bergvik including many industrial plants, a large container terminal and a dry dock. And, there is a cruise ship of the Aida fleet at anchor. Alongside, there are rocks and cliffs representing the typical fjords in Norway. At least, there is the big Bergvik railway station with beautiful trains of the Norwegian State Railways.

Video #143#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4zMZbAN8vc

Model Railroad of Denmark in HO scale

The model railway of Denmark at the Miniature Wonderland was opened in the year of 2005. At the center of this approximately 300 square meter large model train layout is a large pool which is filled with nearly 30,000 liters of water, representing the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. On the sea there are model ships and vessels cruising between Denmark, Sweden and Norway. The Danish model landscape represents the Egeskov castle and the grand central station of Padborg. Especially the locomotives and trains of the Danish train operating company are beautiful.

Video #142#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsT0vvwUrO8

Model Railroad of Sweden with beautiful Snowscape

The model railway of Sweden at the Miniatur Wunderland was opened in 2005, together with the model railroad of Scandinavia. Sweden and ist station of Kiruna represents the most northerly point in this model railway exhibition, so that the model area is completely covered with thick snow. Kiruna is the northernmost city in Sweden, situated in the historical province of Lapland. There are many details to admire, for example, the many penguins who wreak havoc across the city of Kiruna. The locomotives and trains of the Swedish State Railways are beautiful. Regarding the railroad modeling, it must be noted that the snow was made of tiny pieces of glass and white color.

Video #141#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va5lqs-KJFA

The City Edge Layout Model Railroad with amazing Miniature Cars in HO scale

At the worlds largest model railway exhibition, called Miniature Wonderland, the small self-driving cars were used for the first time on model train layouts. They call it microcar, minicar, car system or Faller Car System, DC Car or simply model car. The city edge layout model railroad in HO scale includes more than 100 mini cars. Pilentum tried to film the streets and houses always from a frog’s perspective.

Video #140#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJF3I1gmTvQ

Biggest model airport of the world at day and at night in 1/87 HO scale

The most famous model railway exhibition in Germany, and the largest of its kind in the world, is the Miniature Wonderland. The model train show takes 1,300 square meters or 13,993 square feet. Beside the trains there is a replicate of the Hamburg Airport. It is called “Knuffingen Airport”, the world’s biggest miniature airport in 1:87 scale. After more than six years of construction, the world’s smallest airport was opened in May, 2011. The aerodrome is not only an attraction for aviation enthusiasts, but also for technology fans, for aircraft spotter and for model constructors. Approximately 40 different aircrafts and planes, like Cessna, Boeing and Airbus, are taxing independently on the airport apron. The planes also being moved back from the terminals, taxing behind a follow me car or enter the runway. Furthermore, airplanes are accelerating for taking off, and they are landing on the main runway. Each plane is equipped with original lights and sounds. There are 40,000 lights, 100 kilometer of electric wiring, more than 15,000 miniature figures. In order to simulate take-off and landings a catapult is used to let the aircrafts glide through the air. And, there is an extraordinary car system at the airport, for example an airport fire brigade, numerous busses, service vehicles, facility trucks, follow-me cars, push back trucks and many more. At least, there is a day and night simulation.

Video #139#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1V8RlLhd5wo

Impressive cab ride through beautiful model railway in O scale

Let's take a ride, a cab ride on a model train through a beautiful countryside in Switzerland. This model railway layout was built by a Swiss model railroading club in O scale.

Video #138#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpGOTDVibH0

Model Railway Cab Ride in First Person View

This is an amazing model railway, built by a model train club in Switzerland in O scale. For YouTube we installed a camera into the first person view area. This model railroad layout is one of the finest and greatest in Switzerland. Please, enjoy this little train trip and discover the details on the edge of the rail.

Video #137#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9LCwTci3tk

Model Railroad Layout by Modelspoor Group Nienoord with Miniature Cars and more than 100 Trains in HO Scale

Near the Dutch city of Groningen, there is an amusement park for railway enthusiasts. Outside, there are two park railways and one garden railway; inside, there is the beautiful and amazing miniature world, built in HO scale by a model train club. This model railway covers an area of more than 100 square meters. There are the the flat Dutch countryside on the right, and the massive mountains of Switzerland and Austria on the left. In the middle of the model train layout there is a large central station with many trains driving with authentic train length in 1:87 scale. In the town, there are self-driving miniature cars, for example a fire truck and a bus. Furthermore, behind the four-track railway embankment, there is a funfair or fairground. A fairground is often built on model railway layouts, but here there is a bumper car ride with little bumper cars moving themselves. Everything has been built with a lot of attention to detail. Of course, there is also a day and night control, supported with special light and sound effects: The feeling of dusk and dawn is very realistic. The control of the model railroad is based on the MPC software from the German company Gahler + Ringstmeier.

Video #136#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABqZNIeqWbQ

The Little Horror House in HO Scale with Cemetery in the Netherlands

While visiting a Dutch model railway exhibition, Pilentum found this amazing horror house. It is a masterpiece in landscape modelling. All lighting effects and sound effects are digitally programmed.

Video #135#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iK7hI4oyMV4

Sexy Scenery on a Model Railway Layout in HO Scale

This model railway layout was built as a module system by a Dutch model train club. The model train layout provides rich details, German trains and locomotives. The diorama is designed in the style of bygone eras of rail transport.

Video #134#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szH5PhLwknk

Z Scale Amazing Model Railway with Micro Trains

Z scale or Z gauge is one of the smallest commercially available model railway scale, introduced by Marklin in 1972. In the U.S. these model trains are called micro trains. This miniature world in 1:220 scale was built by a German model railway club. The model train layout is presenting the city of Lubeck in Northern Germany at the turn of the century. Although the tracks have a gauge of just 6.50 mm there are many details. The whole layout is controlled digitally by Selectrix Digital. Please, enjoy this piece of art.

Video #133#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YG-cz5-cD1E

Model Railway in OO Gauge of an Industrial District Railway

While visiting a great model railway exhibition in Germany, Pilentum found this amazing model train layout in OO gauge. It was built as an module system, and it’s called “Langley Industrial District Railway”. The small layout is almost a work of art. There are steam locomotives of the Great Western Railway and of the British Railways. OO gauge or OO scale is today the most popular modelling scale in the U.K. 00 gauge respectively 00 scale uses the same track as HO, which is not correct for this slightly larger scale, but it is the most common British standard for model trains.

Video #132#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_zxanc51hg

Beautiful Dutch Model Train Layout in HO Gauge with Field Railway

The Model Railway Club from Helmond in the Netherlands was founded in 1984. The members are best known for their model train modules. On the world’s largest exhibition for model making and model sports and model railroading, called “Intermodellbau Dortmund” in Germany, they were presenting the latest model railroad diorama, which has been built in 1:87 scale respectively in HO gauge. There are beautiful scenes and features, for example a field railway, a multitrack DC car system, a railway station and a day and night illumination. Although the model railroaders come from the Netherlands, they created a German model railway landscape.

Video #131#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJfrdh5dKMM

Very Large Model Railroad Exhibit in Northern Germany in HO scale

There are many model railway exhibitions and permanent model train shows in Germany. For example the Miniatur Wunderland at Hamburg (the largest model railway exhibition of the world) or the Loxx model train exhibition at Berlin (the second largest in Germany). In Leer, a city in northern Germany, the third largest model railway exhibition is located. The model train show is about Northern Germany. There are trains, driving cars, the famous ship and vessel transfer on the Ems river, and many other scenes. The exhibition space has got a size of 600 square meters. It’s built in HO scale. However, at the third largest model railway exhibition in Germany there is a special model building philosophy: 90 percent of the exhibition are dedicated to the landscape, while only 10 percent are dedicated to the good, old railway. Of course, only those railroads are built that exist in reality in Northern Germany. Therefore, you can see very few model trains. The focus is on the landscaping, especially on the design of the East Frisian islands.

Video #130#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rA3Wm8iwJwQ

Vintage Model Railway Display of the 1920's and 1930's in HO Scale

This historical model railway layout is presenting the Dutch village Winterswijk in Holland in the 1920's and 1930's. Winterswijk was then an important railway junction with a large rail yard, with two stations and with three roundhouses. From Winterswijk trains drove in all directions, but especially to the Ruhr area to transport coal from there to the west of the Netherlands. The model train layout was built by Transit Oost, a foundation in the Netherlands that is specialized in the preservation and in the restoration of historic vehicles of public transport. In Transit Oost’s railway museum there are historic buses, railway uniforms and even real locomotives, railcars and wagons. To preserve the memory of the marshalling yard at Winterswijk, this model railway was built. The layout has got a size of 15 meters x 4 meters, and there are scenes, locomotives and vehicles of the railway operation in the 1920's and 1930's.

Video #129#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N08l-veiLzA

Model Railway Layout HO Scale at Transport Museum Winterswijk

This small model train layout is located at the Transport Museum in Winterswijk in the Netherlands. It’s built in HO scale. The railway module presents the small station in Neede, a Dutch village in the old days.

Video #128#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWLttRIH4q0

Digital Model Car System in N Scale (1:160) like Faller Car System

In Germany, these self-controlled model cars are very famous. They are called Faller Car System or Infracar or Digital Controlled Car System or simply DC Car. Normally, these cars are made for model railroad layouts in HO scale. But these model cars are built in N Scale (1:160) or N Gauge. These model cars are an enrichment or asset to any model train layout. A battery, headlights and the entire (digital) control system is installed into the model car. And, a metal strip is installed invisible beneath the road. The metal strip dictates the possible ways. But the model car is driving autonomous; there is no radio remote control.

Video #127#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6OMQGtvN1o

Large Model Railway with Magnificent Cab Ride in HO Scale

This truly beautiful model railway layout was built in HO scale by a German model railroad club. This model train layout is also the centerpiece in exhibitions. The model railroad has got an area of 70 square meters on two levels. There are more than 400 meters of tracks and 110 switches. The two levels are connected by a twin-track, five-fold helix. The focus of this model railway layout is the large central station with seven platforms. Behind the station there is a typical German city, and of course there is a tramline. Lead from the main station there are four main lines directing to other model landscape and sections. There is also a line of high-speed trains for the famous ICE and Thalys train. Pilentum was making magnificent cab rides along the whole railroad for discovering the beautiful details.

Video #126#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0E6eWZOLoE

5 inch Model Railway and 7 1/4 gauge Miniature Railroad Meeting

In January 2016, there was the world's largest indoor model railway meeting with 5 inch and 7 1/4 inch steam locomotives. It's the worldwide largest indoor 5 inch layout with a total track length of almost five kilometres. And, there is a combined 5 gauge and 7 1/4 gauge track layout for the Big Boy locomotives. Please, enjoy these driving men on their steaming machines.

Video #125#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvmZFWI7RkU

Model Railroad with Glacier Express and Cab Ride

This beautiful model railway in HOm scale was built by a German model railroad club. It's a modular layout with famous trains from Switzerland, like RhB, Bernina Railway, Allegra, and Glacier Express. Bridges, galleries and tunnels on the model train layout should remember the route in the Albula valley, Switzerland. Enjoy this model railroad video, and its beautiful cab rides.

Video #124#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SC5Vnv1bJic

Live Steam Model Railways 1/32 Scale and Real Steam Locomotives

At the world's largest indoor model railway meeting for 5 inch and 7 1/4 inch model trains, also some beautiful live steam locomotives in 1/32 scale were shown. These steam locomotives are usually fired by gas or by methylated spirit.

Video #123#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2ONkY3oH2E

The Largest Model Railroad in the World

This movie is about the largest model railroad and greatest model railway of the world. Moreover, it’s one of the longest video on YouTube. The world’s largest model train exhibition is called Miniatur Wonderland, and the world’s greatest model railroad layout is located in Germany. Pilentum thought Northlandz model railroad layout and museum, located near Flemington in New Jersey (USA), was the world’s biggest model railroad. But it is not. Germany’s model railway exhibition taking 1,300 square meters or 13,993 sq ft of model area in HO scale. It’s a scale model and miniature world of superlatives. Model railroaders will love it. There are model locomotives, miniature trains, model cars, model aircrafts as well as model ships. This model train layout is not only a paradise of rail transport modeling or model railroading, but also one of Germany’s best tourist attraction. The model railway layout consists of 15,400 meter or 50,525 ft of track in H0 scale, divided into eleven sections: 1) America and the United States on 100 square meters, 2) Sweden on 100 square meters, 3) The city of Hamburg on 200 square meters, 4) The fictitious city of Knuffingen with its amazing car system on 120 square meters, 5) Central Germany on 120 square meters, 6) Knuffingen Airport on 150 square meters, 7) Norway on 100 square meters, 8) Austria on 60 square meters, 9) Switzerland on 250 square meters, 10) Denmark on 100 square meters and 11) Bavaria on 50 square meters. There is also a day and night simulation. More than 330,000 LED immerse the model train layout. The most recent attraction is the smallest commercial airport, called Knuffingen Airport, where more than 40 airplanes starting, landing, approaching or taxing on the aerodrome apron. Finally, it's hard to describe this model railway exhibition with words. This was the reason for this movie of more than four hours duration.

Video #122#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuhwvCNDTJk

HO scale Modular Model Railroad Dogbone Layout

This model railway exhibition was presented by two German model railroad clubs. They were using a town hall, respectively city hall, for building up their modular model railroad layout in HO scale. Unfortunately, the lighting at the city hall is very poor. And, many model train enthusiasts or model railway enthusiasts do not have a sense for the correct speed of the model trains. While cab riding on the model train layout the trains were much too quickly.

Video #121#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9NXTpCfrvQ

Model Railway Exhibition for US Model Trains in Germany

In Germany, every two years there is a model railway exhibition for US railroads only. Please, enjoy these model railway layouts. These model train layouts represent how German modelers re-built the United States.

Video #120#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9JhNBwDNSM

Cab ride on an underground model railway layout

Let's go cab riding into a model train station, underground. It's a model train layout built by a German railway enthusiasts in HO scale. The tracks in the underground are called shadow station, fiddle yard or staging yard. This is the non-visible area in the underground. The model railway tracks in the staging yard have a total length of 275 meters.

Video #119#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGQYkO8SnQI

Model Railroad Highly Detailed HO Scale

This is a truly beautiful and highly detailed model railroad layout built in HO scale. There are two double-track main routes leading to and from the central station, and that central station is a railhead. There is a depot with a turntable and with a roundhouse, too. The entire model railroad layout corresponds to the early days of the German Federal Railroad in the 1950's and 1960's years. There are trains with diesel locomotives, freight locomotives and steam locomotives. The model train club, who has built this model train layout, place extremely high value on an authentic operation. A total of about 500 meters of track have been laid in HO, which corresponds to the original approximately 43.5 kilometers of track. The model railway layout is located near Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

Video #118#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIkt_gAsO1M

Small Wonders in Model Railroading and Railway Modelling N Scale

This beautiful model train layout is built in N Scale. And, it's called “Grumpy Valley Mining”. The name suggests a large model railway or a large industrial plant, but this model railroad was built on less than 1 square meter. It's a small world in N scale presenting a US coal mine and many lovingly crafted scenes.

Video #117#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s16XJ-36WJw

Model Railway Bear Lake Lumber in O scale

A beautiful model railway in gauge 0n30, ie. O scale narrow gauge. The layout was built by Hanns Hirblinger from Germany. It was presented on a model railway exhibition in Germany for US railroads only. On the model train layout there are a highly detailed railroad workshop, a small harbor, a bridge and many detailed, weathered little things that make the whole scenario almost like an artwork.

Video #116#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgDipA1LSEI

City Edge Model Railroad in HO Scale

Model train layouts, that are called “City Limits” oder “City Edge”, are presenting cities or industrial areas characterized by an incredibly high quality of perfection and reality. And, also this model railway layout built by German modellers in HO scale is pefectly weathered. The diarama presents North Minneapolis in Upper Midwest of the United States, and its scenes of industrial sites. And there is the York Rail, a scene from the eastern United States, its local industries in the city of York in Pennsylvania. Really ingenious Weathering.

Video #115#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1MMuLWc4gs

Rocky Mountains Model Railroad Narrow Gauge HO Scale

This model railroad layout in HO scale narrow gauge, covering the area between Colorado and New Mexico, was presented from Marco Unternährer in Switzerland. There are steam locomotives and long trains from the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad (D & RGW).

Video #114#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sA2enOFyuk

Model Railroad of a Nickel Mine

A model of a nickel mine as well as a model of an associated railway to that mine was built in HO scale by Mario Alberto Scarati from Italy. His layout was presented on a model railway exhibition for US Model Railroads in Germany. On the left there is a charging station with railway line, and on the right a train system for discharging.

Video #113#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b43isKM2MnE

Model Railroading with US Model Trains in HO Scale

In Germany, there was a model railway exhibition for US railroads only, and a railway and model club was presenting its great model train layout, which was built up in individual modules in HO scale. There are freight trains and passenger trains of the Santa Fe Railroad riding on this model railroad layout with beautiful landscapes, bridges and industry towns. Noteworthy is the scene at the railroad crossing.

Video #112#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUIxJuFonwQ

West Side Lumber Company Model Railway

There is a rumor that the best model train builders are coming from the Netherlands. Perhaps this is so? But René Paul gives a demonstration of superb rail transport modelling with his model railway layout in O scale or On3 scale. He was presenting his scale model of the West Side Lumber Company Railway. The West Side Lumber Company Railway was the last of the 3 ft narrow gauge logging railroads operating in the American west. There are perfectly weathered, aged and patinated locomotives, cars and beautiful landscapes.

Video #111#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FU4d9vMk5jA

Model Train Diorama in HOn3 Scale

This model railway layout consists of ten individual dioramas, scale model of different scenes. Only one train in HO scale, narrow gauge, is running on that model train layout, which presents different landscapes in the United States.

Video #110#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZ0cc3bIy_o

Wonderful US model railroad layout in HO scale

This model train layout in HO scale was built by German modellers. There are three different landscapes covering the whole model railway layout. And, there are a lot of North American locomotives and trains, including Amtrak or CSX, etc.

Video #109#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eudbiJyVOd8

Model Railway Albula & Landwater Railroad in On3 scale

At a model railway exhibition for US railroads only, this model railroad layout was presented in On3 scale.

Video #108#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyJipksOp4w

Rail Transport Modelling at Fairhaven in HO Scale

Every two years there is a model railway exhibition in Germany for US railroads. This layout is called “Port of Fairhaven” and was built in HO scale. On the model train layout there are the city of Fairhaven, its harbor area, warehouses, roads and, of course, with railroads.

Video #107#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJo6Xae5vZg

Mexican Model Train Layout in HO Scale

This model train layout was presented on a model railway exhibition for US railroads, only. There are trains from Union Pacific, Southern Pacific, Grand Canyon Line, Rio Grande and D&RGW railroad. And, there is a Mexican wedding built on that display.

Video #106#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPkpyGgGv6E

Accucraft Southern Pacific Live Steam and DB Class 41 Steam Locomotive

Pilentum Television was playing with two fine Live Steam locomotives. The first one was the Accucraft Southern Pacific Steam Locomotive Number 1261. This locomotive was built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in November 1901 for the Southern Pacific Railroad. Enjoy this model railway locomotive and its beautiful passenger cars. The second one was the German Class 41 steam locomotive. This locomotive was designed by the Deutsche Reichsbahn and by the Deutsche Bundesbahn. The Class 41 engines were the most powerful steam locomotives ever operated in Germany. Please, listen to the famous sound of these live steam model trains.

Video #105#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CL4HIEZZfoo

N Scale Model Railroad and N Gauge Model Railway with Digital Model Trains

Pilentum had the opportunity to visit a large model railway layout from a manufacturer of digital model railway control systems in Germany. The company Rautenhaus is known for offering complete solutions for digital model railway control systems. Digital command control are the modern alternative to control a layout and greatly simplify the wiring and add more flexibility in operations, for example DCC, RMX, Selectrix by Minitrix, handhelds, wireless handhelds, locomotive decoders, controllers, central unit, boosters, Marklin Digital, Trainmaster, Hornby, DYNATROL, Digitrack, Rail-Command, KATO Digital, RailMaster, Rocrail, accessory decoders or sound and function decoders, etc. To ensure, that customers do learn and do understand, how digital model railway control systems are working, this beautiful N Gauge layout exists. When filming Pilentum gave special attention to the rolling stock in N scale.

Video #104#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-ZGpzFomE4

N Scale German ICE High Speed Train

Some years ago, the model train manufacturer Minitrix was producing a special edition, called ICE Avantgarde, in N scale. The ICE is Germany's high speed train and it's normal coulour is white.

Video #103#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydBL5UARz1I

New York Central Railroad as Model Train layout in Scale 1

It's the famous New York Central Railroad Line in 1 Scale or 1 Gauge. In Germany, there was a big 1 scale model train meeting in June 2015. And, there was presented a wonderful model train layout in small railroad layouts, called modules. On this layout there are the New York Central System, various locomotives of Union Pacific, Conrail and the Southern Pacific Lines.

Video #102#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy8SrY3MKVU

Another dream of model train layout in 1 scale ie. 1 gauge

It's another dream of model railroad layout in 1 Scale. In Belgium, there is a model railway club, called Leuvense Spooreen Modeltreinen Vrienden, and they are enthusiasts in rail transport modelling. Their model train layout was presented at the International 1 Gauge Meeting in the Technology Museum in Sinsheim, Germany in June 2015. It was the major attraction par excellence. On the layout there are a station with depot, tram, marshalling yard, bridges and tunnels. There are beautiful locomotives in 1 Scale, too.

Video #101#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WotorYYVlTU

Model Railway Paradise in 1/32 Scale

That's a model train layout of superlatives. In this film you can see one of the most beautiful and one of the largest model railroad layouts in 1 scale or 1 gauge. On this beautiful model railway layout there are two train stations, a large locomotive shed, a small mountain railway and a narrow-gauge railway. Cab rides were made on the main line and on the narrow-gauge railway line. By the way, the construction of this model railway layout took almost twelve years. While many loving details along the railroad tell little stories, numerous locomotives, train sets, passenger trains and steam engines are to be seen on the layout.

Video #100#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9fmeK10rSk

Cab ride on narrow gauge model railway 1 scale or 1 gauge

A railroad is called narrow-gauge railway, when its track is smaller than the standard gauge. Forest railways, narrow gauge railways and field railways were built mainly in mountains, because narrow gauge railways are often less expensively than a corresponding standard gauge railway. Also in the area of the model trains, there are narrow gauge railways. So Pilentum Television is presenting in this movie a cab ride on a beautiful 1 gauge or 1 scale model railway layout. Please, take a look at the many loving details, which can be seen along the narrow gauge railway.

Video #099#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHbOJtE0XaY

Cab ride on a mountain model railway layout with tunnel and track spiral

Pilentum presents a beautiful model train layout in 1 scale or 1 gauge with a little cableway or mountain range. This 1 scale mountain model train layout was reason enough to take a cab ride with a camera. On request of many viewers, even the passage through the tunnel and along the track spiral was captured on video. Please, take a look at the loving details along the railway line.

Video #098#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdwMpAGcHIQ

Fiddle yard or staging yard cab ride of a big 1 scale model train layout

On a model railway layout a staging yard or a fiddle yard is a collection of model railway tracks that are invisible to a viewer and this yard allows trains to be stored. Often these tracks at the fiddle yard are required to allow most model railways to be operated in a realistic manner, because model trains can be rearranged by lifting them off the track and replacing them. Pilentum Television is presenting in this movie a cab ride on a beautiful 1 gauge or 1 scale model railway layout.

Video #097#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hel4nMx4zO0

A Dream of Model Train Layout in 1 Scale ie. 1 Gauge

It's hard enough to build a model railway layout in H0. It's even more difficult to build a model train layout in 1 Gauge. But in this film, Pilentum Television presents one of the finest and largest model railroad layouts in 1 scale.

Video #096#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7pHOvzzILk

A Dream of Model Train Layout in HOm Scale

This is a fantastic model train layout: The model railway about the “Golden Pass Panoramic Train” in H0m gauge. In reality, there is the “Golden Pass Railway Line”famous railway journeys in the world. Because this railroad is so beautiful, a model building club from the Netherlands was creating the whole layout as a module system for model trains in narrow gauge mode.

Video #095#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6zn6uYDuxA

Vintage model railway layout in O scale built in 1928

1928, a German engineer was building this model train layout in O scale. He wanted to take this model railway layout to be exhibited at fairgrounds. Remember, at that time there was no possibility to buy trains, locomotives or rails. So everything on this model railroad layout was created by hand. The whole layout was always increased. There were added more steam locomotives, more tracks and more buildings. Until 1975, this model train setup was exhibited at the Berlin Christmas Market (West Berlin). Then it was sold to an amusement park. In this amusement park this film recordings were made (narrow-gauge film). Today, this model railway still exists and it is the oldest model railroad in O gauge in Europe. Sorry about the poor film quality, but it was filmed with an amateur camera from the 1970's.

Video #094#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rxRh_T1NHI

Model Railway Exhibition HO Scale Dutch Trains

It's a beautiful model train layout in HO scale made by the model train club Groep BCN from Holland. The model railway layout is presenting not only the Dutch landscape, but also the Dutch locomotives. The train modules are based on digital command control (DCC).

Video #093#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmwB671STzw

Model Trains Cab Ride on an Amazing Railway Layout in HOn30 Scale

In Switzerland there are beautiful railway lines. And, a model train club from Holland was modelling this amazing railroad in narrow gauge HO scale. Pilentum was filming this model railroad layout driving along the track with a camera car.

Video #092#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H044MZR43fY

N Scale Model Train Layout and Digital Command Control

At the model railway exhibition, called Intermodellbau Dortmund, the company Rautenhaus Digital was presenting this beautiful demonstration layout of a model railway in N gauge with full digital command control. A small but a fine model railway layout. Since 1993 Rautenhaus deals with model railroad technology, especially in the field of developing and manufacturing components for digital model train control systems.

Video #091#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1VslywbPLA

Absolutely Amazing Model Railroad Layout in HO Scale

This is a beautiful model railway layout in this film. But in reality, this model train layout in HO scale consists of seven model train modules. These modules are a piece of a large model railroad layout in H0 scale. Pilentum was filming every single model railroading module from different camera angles. In the film, there are many famous locomotives of the German Federal Railways, amazing steam locomotives with digital sound and steam effects and many beautiful scenes that happen in everyday life. A special attraction is the roundhouse, but also the marshalling yard.

Video #090#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmpbuASPL20

Model Railway Steam Locomotive BR 10 002 German Federal Railroad

In 1957 Krupp delivered two steam locomotives on the German Federal Railroad, which were provided with type numbers 10 001 and 10 002. While the locomotive 10 001 was initially operated by coal fire, locomotive 10 002 worked with oil firing. In the film, a model railway loco is seen.

Video #089#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGBJHTVtyKM

Model Railway 3-wire AC system by Marklin

This is a beautiful model railway. The special feature of this model train layout is that it was built by a 14-year-old boy. The model railway offers on a few square meters an impressive array of small scenes and details. You notice that the builder has worked with heart and soul. The model railway based on the 3-wire AC system by Marklin. There are 400 figures, 200 trees, 70 model cars and 45 meters of track. Currently there are 25 train cars and 10 locomotives.

Video #088#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1W6uWnTMp4

Model railway with station and very realistic landscape in HO scale

The model railway layout or model train layout is a replica of a small railway station in the 1950ies. This exhibition layout and model railroad layout was built in very realisic and original way. The tracks and the landscape profile are built on Styrodur. Behind the model railway is a staging yard. As background panoramic images were used, which were installed on the rear wall of the railway system. Model builder is a German model railway club. It is difficult to tell the difference between the exhibition layout and the original landscape.

Video #087#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3gsdeT0NQw

Fantastic HO Layout from a Model Train Club

This model train club is called Association for the Berlin-Brandenburg Metropolitan Railway History and was founded in 1962. The association has built a lot of model trains, modular layouts and model railroad layouts. Their layouts were always a replica of the Berlin Underground and the Berlin railway history. The model railroad club operates a suburban railway system, two-track and single-track module layouts. This film presents the large two-track modular model railroad layout in HO with tram, roundhouse, bridges, stations, tunnels, etc.

Video #086#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQ32lZFWQ3M

Marklin Model Railroad Layout in HO Scale as Modular System

It's a Marklin Model Train Layout built by German railway enthusiasts in HO scale. The layout was created as a portable model railway layout system with four modules, each 1.6 m length x 1.6 m width. There are German locomotives and a landscape from the the 1950ies.

Video #085#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8DBJZT630I

LEGO Train and Big LEGO City

Do you say LEGO Train, LEGO model railroad or LEGO railway? Anyway, it's a big LEGO city, which was presented at a German model building exhibition or modelling fair. There are more than 30 square meters with more than 1.6 million LEGO bricks. It's a small town with railway stations, airport, castle, football stadium, harbor, etc.

Video #084#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JhX3o3UO8w

Fantastic Model Train Layout from Switzerland

A gorgeous model railway layout was built by Willi Rutz from Switzerland. Sometimes this model railroad layout is named as the Furka Pass or Oberalp Mountain Pass Train or as Model Train Station Gletsch in H0m Scale. HOm means narrow gauge or narrow gauge railway. The model railway presents the famous narrow gauge railway system along the Furka Oberalp Mountain in Switzerland. The model train layout is a detailed replica of the Gletsch Station. All buildings, roads and railway tracks were created by hand. Train controlling is based on Zimo radio control panels; furthermore there are products and locomotives of HAPO, BEMO, Shinohara, Sommerfeld, STL, Motreno, Fulgurex and Ferro Suisse.

Video #083#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_M_hUindBs

N Scale Model Railroad with German Trains

It's a model train layout in N scale or N gauge, presented by the members of a German model railroading club. The members are always building their model railroad as a modular system, also known as FREMO module layout. It's a fine model railway layout.

Video #082#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8slJp9EQs2k

Crazy Town Model Train Layout

It's a cute model train layout in HO Scale. It's only a small railway track on which a funny steam locomotive is driving on.

Video #081#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmBc5Iz7TLY

Live Steam and Real Steam Model Train Exhibition

Some video footage of Germany's big exhibition about live steam and real steam model trains and model railroad layouts.

Video #080#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1A_I1TEGJc

World's largest indoor 5 inch live steam or real steam model railroad meeting

Model trains and model railroading, for example, in HO scale or in N scale, are very fine. But there is another world with much bigger locomotives that is not less beautiful. We are talking about the 5 inch track and 7¼ inch gauge. In this video, Pilentum presents the world's largest indoor live steam or real steam model railroad meeting. At that model railroad exhibit, there are steamships, steam engines, steam model engineering, steam-powered road vehicles and steam locomotives. on the world's largest indoor 5 inch layout, with a total track length of almost 6 kilometers, there are the finest live steam and real steam model trains. And, there are really big model locos. Enjoy watching this unique atmosphere and listening to these noises.

Video #079#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcqULEgXUEo

N Scale Fleischmann Model Railway Layout from Holland

This N Scale or N Gauge model train layout is based on Fleischmann trains, locomotives and tracks. It's a model railway built as modular layout by a Dutch model train club. The members of this model railroad club only concentrate on the model railway system of Fleischmann. On the model railroad layout, there are many buildings from Holland, for example, the automatic drawbridge or a beautiful replica from Leiden Centraal railway station in the Netherlands.

Video #078#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2aUbwZW04E

Modular Model Railroad Layout in HO scale made by Dutch Model Railroaders

This model railroad layout was made by Dutch model railroaders. They presented their railroad layout at the great model railway exhibition Eurospoor in Utrecht, Netherlands. The model railway layout presentes several Dutch landscapes and was constructed as modular model railroad. There are trains and locomotives in HO scale made by Marklin, Roco and Fleischmann.

Video #077#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vPHkNCa0IQ

Beautiful Model Train Layout in HO Scale from the Netherlands

This beautiful model railway layout was built in HO scale or H0 gauge and presents the Dutch city Zevenbergen in the period 1920-1950. Zevenbergen became famous because of its sugar factory. The whole model train layout is constructed as a modular railroad system. The harvest of sugar beet is presenting on the whole model railroad. Sugar beets are harvested in the fields and then moved by rail through the village to the big sugar factory. A special of the model railway might be the detailed implementation of a swing bridge over the river. There are also a small port with ships, a Dutch Shepherd industrial locomotive and locomotives from Roco, Lima, Fleischmann and Piko. The model trains are digitally controlled via Intellibox software.

Video #076#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMng6XeE2lI

Dutch Model Railway Layout in HO Scale

For many years the members of the Dutch model railroad club were building their model train layout in HO scale. The layout is completely digitally controlled via RocRail software. The model railway is based on Dutch trains and presenting different eras of the Dutch railway history. On the middle module there is a city with central station, passenger and freight trains. On the right module there is a small harbor and a fiddle yard as well as a reconstruction of the railway bridge in Rotterdam. On the left module a copy of Valkenburg rail station is presented. In addition, there are bus and tram lines. It's a beautiful model train layout in H0 scale.

Video #075#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edADeV3J3FM

Fantastic model railroad layout in N scale or N gauge from the Netherlands

This model railroad layout in N Scale or N Gauge was built from a Dutch model railroad club. It is a modular model train layout with bridges, several railway stations and a lot of railway tracks. There are Dutch locomotives, particularly electric locomotives and diesel locomotives and passenger cars and freight trains.

Video #074#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yF4AZelOlQ

Model Railway Exhibition in HO Scale with Marklin Digital Model Trains

This model railroad layout was built as a modular railway layout by a Dutch model train club. That railroad club does exist for more than 55 years and operates only Marklin model trains. The layout in HO scale, its trains and locomotives are controlled by Marklin decoder and Viessmann decoder in digital mode.

Video #073#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zc35jd1zwgg

Modular Model Train Layout by Marklin

This model train layout is built in HO scale. It is based on trains and locomotives made by Marklin. The railroad layout was presented at the great model railway exhibition Eurospoor in Utrecht, Netherlands. Therefore, the railroad display was constructed as a modular railway layout.

Video #072#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2RAxT_NrdQ

N Scale Model Train Layout from France

This model railway layout is designed as a modular system in N scale. It was built by a railway club from France. The members of that railway club have focused entirely on the N scale. On this modular model train system, there are the TGV and other French locomotives and trains.

Video #071#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWn1U8xlJTE

Beneluxspoor Model Railroad Layout from Belgium in HO scale

This model railroad layout was built by the Beneluxspoor Group from Belgium. There are several sections or in various dioramas in HO scale. Each model railroad display presents a different scenery, such as Germany or Great Britain. The disadvantage is, however, that any model train of the layout is driving through the several landscapes, for example, a German passenger train is crossing a small English town. This does not reflect reality. But it is still a pretty nice model railroad.

Video #070#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFb-I3B5Pzs

LGB Model Railroad Layout made by the Modelspoor and Modelbouw Club Haarlem in G Scale

In this video, Pilentum presents the beautiful LGB model railroad layout which was built by the members of the Dutch railway club, NZH Hobbyclub Modelspoor Modelbouw in Haarlem, Netherlands. The model train layout was presented at the great model railway exhibition Eurospoor in Utrecht, Netherlands. There are special scale models, locomotives and trains driving on that model railway layout in G scale.

Video #069#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHNLOW0ECFA

Big Scale Steam locomotive made by Marklin and KM1

In this video, Pilentum presents the modular model railroad layout made by the members of a Dutch railway club. There are steam locomotives in 1 scale made by Marklin and KM1. The steam locos are equipped with sound decoders and with steam generators.

Video #068#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gwPl9XsrRs

Z Scale Model Trains on an Amazing Model Railroad RR Layout

The smallest scale in model railroading might be Z scale. And, in this video an amazing model railroad layout constructed in Z scale is presented. Unfortunately, the locomotives and trains are so small that Pilentum unfortunately could not film in detail.

Video #067#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR9Rx-whS2Q

Model Railroad Layout Braggels Baenke made by Modelspoor Vereniging Midden Limburg

This model railroad layout is called “Braggels Baenke” and it was built by the members of the Dutch model railroad club Modelspoor Vereniging Midden Limburg. The construction is made like a diorama presenting the atmosphere of the early times when steam trains and steam locomotives were used in the Netherlands. On this railroad display, steam locomotives drive along a river, transport goods to the terminal or pick them up.

Video #066#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nbqgb2EMLSE

Model Railroad Layout with the famous Uerdinger railcar VT 98 in HO Scale

In this video, Pilentum presents a small but very beautiful model railroad display about the famous Uerdinger railcar VT 98 from Germany. This model railroad layout consists only of a circle of HO scale tracks, however, the model railway display offers an amazing number of details on that small area.

Video #065#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItAW_dOHslo

Marklin Digital Model Railroad Layout with Model Trains using RailWare Control Software

The construction of this Marklin model railroad layout began in 2005, and finally it has been designed as a modular model railroad RR system, which can be transported easily. The model train layout is a 3-wire AC system with fully digital control. The software that's used for the model trains is called Railware. On the model railroad layout, there are trains and locomotives from Marklin, Roco, Fleischmann, Piko and Kato.

Video #064#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JIZQU192gU

Miniature World Rotterdam - The largest model railway exhibition in the Netherlands

Near Rotterdam Railway Station, there is the largest, finest, greatest and biggest model railroad layout of the Netherlands. This miniature world is built in HO scale and covers an area of more than 600 square meters. The Netherlands are presented with coasts, landscapes, railway lines, wind mills, trains, docks, buildings, ships and much more. Core of the entire model railway exhibition is the port of Rotterdam with container ships, terminals, dry dock, industrial plants and many bridges. Another section of the model railroad display presents a replica of the city of Rotterdam with its tram line, buildings and central station.

Video #063#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1ihUw435zs

Beautiful Limestone Model Railway Layout in O scale

This is a beautiful model train layout about a limestone railway, which was built as a narrow gauge system in O scale. It is a model of a quarry and the operation of the railway is shown. This model railroad layout is one of the best that exists in Germany. Perhaps you may think that this layout is only a diorama, but on this model railroad layout six narrow gauge steam locomotives are driving.

Video #062#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMd2zyD2Ncc

Nearly realistic model train layout from France

This nearly realistic model railway layout was created by the members of a French railroad club. The model railroad layout is built in HO scale and presents the railway line along the Aosta Valley and the Jura Mountains. The model train layout is constructed in various dioramas with individual sections. Railroad modeling of rocks, trees, plants, overhead lines and tunnels was the subject of many detailed studies, so that a really nice model railway system was developed.

Video #061#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGFF7JH06lI

Awesome City Edge Model Train Layout in HO Scale Made in Germany

Normally, you would expect that this model train layout was built in the US. But it was made in Germany. This model railroad layout, some say city edge layout, was built in HO scale. It was presented at the great Eurospoor Model Expo in Utrecht. On the layout, the electrified railway line between New York and Philadelphia is presented. The railway display is absolutely perfect and worth seeing because everywhere, for example on the streets, at the cars, at the buildings and at the locomotives, specialists and model builders have done a great job in weathering. All components have been completely weathered. And, the scenery looks almost like reality.

Video #060#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zf5DC0GeL0k

Live Steam Model Railroading and Real Steam Rail Transport Modelling

In this video, Pilentum presents amazing steamworks. Please, watch these amazing live steam model trains in G scale. Listen to these awesome real steam locomotives in 1 gauge. Feel their noises of steaming, of smoking and of firing. These model trains are characterized by individual beauty and technique. Using live steam and real steam trains might be the most realistic way to do model railroading.

Video #059#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNayv0HYxVg

Large Private Model Railroad RR HO Scale Train Layout

This fantastic model railway layout was built by the members of a miniature railroad club in Germany. The model train layout is built modularly in HO scale and it is completely digitally controlled by DCC. On the model railroad RR layout, there are two stations: A large central station with seven tracks and platforms, and a smaller station with four tracks. But there is also a large staging yard or hidden station with a railway length of more than 150 meters behind the scenes. On the model railroad layout, 45 train sets are in use. 15 trains are visible on the layout, and 35 trains are parking inside the hidden yard. A special attraction is the tram and its route through the city. There are four tram stations that were filmed by Pilentum during a cab ride. There is also an installtion of the famous Faller car system. The entire model train layout is equipped with an overhead line or catenary. Finally, it is a great model railroad RR layout.

Video #058#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjHLWqQlYvM

The new model train show by Marklin in Germany on more than 400 square meter

This model railway layout was opened in 2014, and it is one of the largest layouts made by Marklin in Germany. The model train layout presents a journey from Germany’s Ruhr Valley with its steel and coal industry to Italy. At the beginning of the exhibition, the Ruhr Valley is presented before the days of heavy industry. Then, there is one of the first displays showing the coal loading in a port in the 1960s. At that time, the coal was first stored and later loaded onto ships. Behind that scenery, a replica of a typical mine in the Ruhr Valley is presented. This scale model of the mine includes any technical details. Next to the coal and steel industry, the so-called Rhine Route is presented. This is a part of the freight and passenger traffic railway line, which leads from the Ruhr Valley to other regions. For example, there are many trains running along this railway line. Furthermore, there is a fairground or fun park. At the fairground, more than 20,000 LED were installed. Right next to the fairground, there are a town, two model cyclists and an amazing castle. There is also a great central station where various passenger trains and freight trains meet each other. Far behind the central station, a large car factory is located. Cars and vehicles are shipped by freight trains to the Alps. After discovering this German section of the great model railroad layout, the Alps are the next special attraction inside this model train show. There are mountains, bridges and a lot of railway lines. Finally, the trains - after climbing the Alps - reach their destination in Italy. Inside the Italian section of this great exhibit, the region around Venice and its typical landscapes, train, cars and locomotives are presented.

Video #057#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SssOUqkdUnM

Amazing Model Railroad Layout in HO Scale with Cab Ride

This amazing model railroad layout in HO scale is not an exhibition. It is a private model train layout. It is a perfect model railway layout because all areas of the layout are optimally illuminated, along the entire railway track a catenary is mounted, and electric locomotives are driving with pantographs. On the railway lines, inside the stations, locomotive depots and in helices model trains made by Marklin, Fleischmann, Trix, Arnold, Pico and Roco are in use. The original or standard motors of the locomotives were removed and replaced with efficient engines and gearboxes from the Faulhaber company, Germany. Therefore, locomotives are starting quietly and breaking in an absolutely smooth way. On the model display, there are locomotives, passenger cars and freight train used by the German Federal Railroad. The video footage was partially created by using Pilentum's model train camera car. So, you can watch some beautiful cab rides.

Video #056#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNCUiwvcZ8U

Marklin model train layout in analogue mode and HO scale

This Marklin model railway layout was built by a man who is now over 80 years old. When he was a young boy his father had given him the first train set of Marklin. This was in 1937, namely the steam locomotive RM 800 with three passenger cars. From that moment on, he began with his model train collection. But many years later, the old man realized the dream of his own model railroad layout. For this, he started building his model train layout in HO scale. The model railway layout is built on five levels, it has an area of about 50 square meters and it is supplied via 38 transformers with driving power. Since 1991, this model railroad layout is open to visitors. The model railway exhibition is certainly not comparable with large commercial exhibitions because houses, tracks and trains are rarities today.

Video #055#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhqNG3gcD0c

Large Model Railroad Layout with Cab Ride and more than 200 Model Trains in action

This very large model railroad exhibit in HO scale presents the German history of railways from the beginning of the 20th century to modern times. Four various model train layouts on more than 1,000 square meters present the several periods of time. There are more than 200 model trains in action. In the beginning of railroad history, there were steam locomotives. Later, these steam locos were replaced by diesel locomotives. Today, electric locomotives and high-speed trains, for example the famous ICE in Germany or TGV in France or Frecciarossa in Italy, are in use. At this model railway show, each period is represented with its inherent locomotives and trains. Although these four model railroad layouts are very big, the trains are not digitally controlled. There is no DCC in use. There is an analog control technology in use, namely the model train control system made by the Gebhardt company from Germany. Furthermore, it must be mentioned, that all the locomotives and trains are running in a very smoothly way. They were converted and optimized with special model train motors made by the Faulhaber company from Germany. In addition, the trains have the correct length in relation to the 1/87 scale.

Video #054#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzVZMCC2j1A

Monorail and Suspension Railway Scale Model Train HO Scale

There was a model railway exhibition with a beautiful model railroad module of the suspension railway in Wuppertal. In reality, this monorail was opened in the year 1901. In this video you can watch this monorail in miniature.

Video #053#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTvgAqTQYAE

Very Large Modular Model Railroad Layout in HO Scale with Nudist Beach

In 2014, Pilentum visited a model train exhibit in Germany. There was a very large modular model railroad layout built in HO scale. There are a little nudist beach, a trolleybus museum, a great central station and a small city edge model train layout with a scale model of the famous Wuppertal Monorail. And, there are model cars and vehicles from the Faller Car System, too. This modular model train layout was built by a railway club in Germany. In 1989, some model railroaders joined together for founding this model railroad club. Today, almost 25 years later, there are 50 members, and they develop modules for model railroading. The club has got one of the largest portable model railroad systems in Germany. They always built at 1/87 scale. Model trains are running either in two or in three wire operation with analog or digital control. Inside club room, there are nearly 168 individual modules. Regularly, the model railroaders present their model train layouts at model train exhibitions. So in 2014, when Pilentum could visit a variety of these model train modules.

Video #052#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WinWf5ycj9U

Cab ride along a big model railroad layout in O scale

For this cab ride, Pilentum installed the GoPro Hero 3+ camera into a model train locomotive. This model railroad layout in O scale is installed inside the Dresden Transport Museum, Germany.

Video #051#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vJZhUuAhA8

O scale railbus and railcar with DCC sound from Germany

A German railbus or railcar as model train in O scale with DCC sound. The camera was installed in front of the railcar to get a perfect angle of view.

Video #050#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ufnbcHjDHg

Fantastic model railroad layout DCC controlled in HO scale

Before there was the great Miniature Wonderland in Hamburg, this fantastic model railroad layout was built in the year 1997. Then, this model railroad display was the largest DCC controlled model railroad layout in HO scale throughout Germany. In the beginning, the model train layout had an exhibition area of 100 square meters. At that time, 800 meters catenary, 400 railroad switches and 1,200 meters of railway tracks were used. Today, the railway network grew up to 2,000 meters of railway tracks and 200 square meters exhibition area. The entire system is DCC controlled. And, also the day and night lighting is controlled automatically. There are 125 trains, freight cars, passenger cars and locomotives made by different manufacturers, for example, Marklin, Fleischmann and Roco. In addition, there are a big fun park, a large central station, a great port facility and many details.

Video #049#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-B2Lo2aLSc8

Tinplate Trains in O Scale and Tin Plate Toys by Marklin

Pilentum found a model railway exhibition with rare, original and fully functional tinplate model train layout made by Marklin. These tin plate trains were built in 1925. There are some typical metal toys or so-called tinplate toys, for example, a train station, a bridge and a fun park with carousel. And, there is the famous, vintage railroad crossing which our grandsfathers have played with. In the years 1893 to 1954 toy trains were made of tinplate by Märklin. Then, O scale was the dominant size. While the first locomotives were built in a very abstract way, the details of the model trains increased in the 1920s. But even after a century, these tinplate trains never lose their charm and beauty.

Video #048#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmUbGPoS9X8

Lufthansa Model Airport and Apron Traffic in HO scale

Before there was the big miniature airport at Hamburg's Miniature Wonderland, this model airport was built. This model airport is part of an unknow model railroad exhibit in Germany. The model airport is built in HO scale and covers 2 square meters only. On the airfield, a so called aircraft push back is simulated with a Lufthansa Airbus.

Video #047#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_sMiLywBO0

Model Train Layout with Canyon and Rocky Mountains in HO Scale

This model train layout is characterized by a mountain landscape, a canyon with real water and a big mine. The scenario of this model railway layout is based in Canada. On the area of a very big ore mine, rocks are loaded onto long model trains with more than 60 freight cars driven by three diesel locomotives. Then, the freight trains drive along the Rocky Mountains landscape to port, where the ore is loaded onto a ship. Later, the trains pass through a real looking landscape with deep gorges and flowing water. The whole model railroad layout is built in HO scale.

Video #046#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rILLAR-skfE

Modular model railroad layout and model trains in O scale

On this modular model railroad layout, there are beautiful steam locomotives and diesel locomotives using sound and steam generator. This modular model railroad layout built in O scale consists of ten modules. All modules have a total length of 10 meters and an overall depth of only 0.5 meters. The entire modular model train layout is operated by DCC decoder LH 100, LS 150 and ESU Switch Pilot. All functions, such as the start-up of locomotives, sound, noises and steam, are controlled digitally via decoders.

Video #045#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QrVaWpor4w

Steam locomotive in O scale with sound

It's only a short video about a German steam locomotive in O scale with sound effects.

Video #044#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruMggq7GJOs

Model tram and tramway on a modular railway layout in 0 scale

In this video, Pilentum presents a small modular railway layout with tram, tramway, streetcar and trolley cars. The model train layout is built in O scale.

Video #043#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hceVtasL-9k

Diesel locomotive in O scale with sound

Only a short video about a German diesel locomotive in O scale with sound effects.

Video #042#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tTA_sd4rQo

Model trains in O scale with strikingly realistic landscape

This is a very beautiful model train layout with marshalling yard and goods station located in a strikingly realistic landscape. When Pilentum visited a model railway exhibition for model trains in O scale in Germany, there were two modular model train layouts that were assembled to one big model railroad layout. The model railway is operated by two model railway clubs.

Video #041#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BX7KAS2qFSw

Vintage Model Trains and Model Railroad Layout

In the beginning, there were tinplate trains from Bing, Marklin or Lionel. Pilentum found this antique tinplate model railroad layout. The trains must have been produced between 1940 and 1950. Then, is was called Trix Express. Unfortunately, this model railway layout is so old that no function is available. But collectors, fans and enthusiasts will enjoy viewing this video footage.

Video #040#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCPuXALVEhM

Beautiful Steam Train from Germany in O Scale

In this video, Pilentum presents a very beautiful model railroad display built in O scale. It is a small modular layout containing steam trains which were used by German Federal Railways. Indeed, nothing special but nice to watch.

Video #039#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZh7CgclB1o

Modular Model Train Layout in HO Scale with Sexy Scenery

In Germany, either in autumn or in spring, there is a very large model railroad exhibition organized by three model railway clubs. The clubs are building their modules in the FREMO standard, very similar to those HO scale modular standards which a recommended by the National Model Railroad Association in the United States. These are unique standards in module construction, DCC wiring, track and scenery. The model railroad modules used in this exhibition contain more than 200 meters of railway tracks. There are more than 100 model trains in DCC mode an the famous, self-controlled model cars. A very special feature of several modules are the frivolous and sexy scenery, for example, the love couple near the nudist beach. This love couple, moving automatically, is one of the famous products made by Viessmann company in 1/87 scale.

Video #038#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dLYpWa5f2I

Narrow Gauge Modular Model Railway in O Scale with Steam locomotives of the Wild West

In spring 2014, there was a model railroad exhibit that was visited by Pilentum. Inside the great exhibition hall, Pilentum watched this narrow gauge modular model railway display built in O scale. It is like a historama of the period of the Wild West. Some people call it also Old West. On the display, steam locomotives, once used by the Little River Lumber Company, by the Greenbrier & Big Run Lumber Company and by the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Company, drive on the railway lines.

Video #037#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXwutkegcHQ

The Biggest Model Railroad Layout in HO Scale with more than 200 Model Trains made by Marklin

This model train layout was built at the end of the 1990's. At that time, it was the largest model railway layout in the world with more than 700 square meters of exhibition space. Today, this HO scale model railroad layout is still one of the largest exhibition made by Marklin. On the whole railroad display, there are 200 trains and more than 3,000 passenger cars and freight cars in use. Also, there are 4,100 meters of railway tracks with 356 waypoints and crossings as well as 290 railway signals. Please, note the mountains up to three meters in height. Take a look at the bridges and railway viaducts.

Video #036#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Jf6WwJYs0g

The Hara Model Railway Museum - The largest model train show in Japan

This model railroad layout might be the largest model railroad display in O Scale in Japan. The Hara Model Railway Museum is a large exhibit and collection of model trains from Japan, Europe and the United States. It is located near Yokohama Railway Station. Inside the big exhibition hall, they call it “Ichiban Tetsumo Park”, there is a very large model railroad layout with model trains including steam locos and electric locomotives and trolley cars. An amazing feature is the overhead line because electric locomotives get their power directly from the catenary. It is a beautiful display although German trains, American trains as well as Japanese trains are driving parallel on the railway line. This mixed railroad operation never existed in reality.

Video #035#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPhqKLewnuM

Model Railway Layout about the Rhinegold and TEE Trans Europe Express in HO Scale

This model railroad layout was built in Germany. Although it is a fantasy landscape with many details, it offers a special feature: The famous Rhinegold Express, a famous train operating between Hoek van Holland and Geneva along the river Rhine. Before 1960, this train has been driven by a steam locomotive. In 1965, the Rhinegold became the Trans Europe Express (TEE) and the famous electric locomotive of series 103 was used by the German Federal Railroad. This model railway is constructed in HO scale. There are trucks and cars known from the Faller car system, typical German landscapes and model trains with more than 3.50 meters in length. In total, more than 300 meters of railway tracks are in use. The entire model railway layout based on a digital control system made by Märklin. Please, note the large viaduct which is presented for several times in the video.

Video #034#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZ1UqosBnYs

Miniature World in HO scale inside the Miniature Wonderland in Germany

The Miniature Wonderland is a very large model railroad exhibit in Germany. It is the largest model railway layout in the world built in HO scale. It is divided into several sections, for example, Germany, Alps and Austria, city of Hamburg, America, Scandinavia and Switzerland. In the year 2011, an model airport was opened, a miniature airport with airplanes and aircrafts. The exhibit includes more than 900 model trains.

Video #033#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RUSWDsfrOE

Model Railway Exhibition in H0 Gauge from Germany

In this video, Pilentum presents a model railway layout that was built in H0 gauge. The layout is located in a former furniture store which is used as a model train museum today. There are several German model trains, a railway station and buildings. And, there are a bridge or viaduct, a horse racing track and much more.

Video #032#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ndY0sEFb7g

Model Railroad Scenery in O Scale

In Germany, there is a model railroad exhibit for modular model railroad layouts built in O gauge or O scale. As you know, O scale is exactly twice as large as HO scale. While this exhibit Pilentum made some video footage of beautiful model trains and landscapes. All layouts are made in Germany.

Video #031#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwWVfUz_Em4

One of the largest HO scale model railroad layouts by Marklin in Germany

In this video, Pilentum presents one of the largest model railroad exhibits in Germany. This model railway layout, mostly built with elements made by Marklin, represents Germany in the time after the World War II. Therefore, there are various combinations of trains and locomotives running on Germany's railway lines between 1950 and 1970. Another section that was added later, represents the modern era of German railway development.

Video #030#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUVfMxhRunY

Once the world's largest modular model railway layout in HO scale

This is a very special video that was stored on old VHS tapes in the archive of Pilentum. In 1995, the world's largest modular model railway layout was presented near Frankfurt, Germany. Even then, there were small cars driving independently and automatically on the streets. This system is that what we know today as the Faller Car System. The model trains were partly still controlled in analogue operating mode, but in some sections even a digital signal box was used. Unfortunately, this video was recorded in 4/3 aspect ratio. Pilentum scaled it up to 16/9 aspect ratio.

Video #029#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V36iEm-5vcE

The World's Biggest Model Airport

Usually, Pilentum makes videos about model trains. But in this video the world's biggest miniature airport is presented. It is called Knuffingen Airport and it is the largest model airport of the world. The airport is part of the great Miniature Wonderland in Hamburg, Germany.

Video #028#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhanfKv9unI

Model Train Paradise - Famous Model Railroad Layout built by Bernhard Stein in HO Scale

This model railroad layout in HO scale was installed in the back room of a shop for model trains in Germany. The shop is called “Model Train Paradise”. While in the front office toy trains, locomotives and equipment were sold, in the back office this beautiful model railroad layout was presented only for selected visitors. It was a very small exhibit of approximately 50 square meters. However, due to the many details and due to the many trains, you were not able to notice the layout's size. The special feature of this model railway display is that it was built by the famous artist Bernhard Stein. Bernhard Stein was known as a famous model builder throughout Europe. There are not only highly detailed and beautiful landscapes and railway lines, but there are also various combinations of very rare trains, railway coaches and locomotives.

Video #027#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDZKsJZ9JoM

Model Railroad Layout about the Coal and Steel Industry of Germany in HO scale

In Germany, the Ruhr region is well known for its coal and steel industry. This model railroad layout is a detailed replica of that landscape in HO scale. It is a very large model railway layout with more than 100 trains. Famous buildings, large industrial plants and cities are presented in this miniature world.

Video #026#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cj9hUFOv_HU

Beautiful Model Train Layout in HO scale on 90 square meters

This model railroad layout is about 90 square meters and presents a mountain landscape with small rivers and a quarry in Germany. There are railway tracks in standard HO scale and in narrow gauge HO scale. For almost 1,500 meters of railway track the Tillig Elite model tracks were used. On the main railway line locomotives are driving which are equipped with sound generators.

Video #025#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_rrnVvezyY

HO scale modular model train show with sexy scenery

This video is about a model train show in Germany which was organized by three railway clubs. The members present their modular model railroad system built in HO scale. There are some modules which are absolutely worth seeing because they represent some frivolous scenes. And, also the steam locomotives and the diesel locomotives with real steam and smoke generator are worth seeing.

Video #024#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MG3ODwkY6RE

Fantastic Steam Locomotive Model Train Layout in HO Scale

This video is about an amazing model train layout with beautiful steam locomotives. The exhibition area of this model railroad display is about 230 m² in size. There are more than 1,100 m railway tracks in HO scale. This model train show is a highly detailed replica of the railway stations Ottbergen and Bad Driburg in Germany. Buildings, tracks, railroad crossings, the railway depot and much more are reproduced in museum quality. The display presents the situation of these Germany cities in the summer of 1975. Trains and locomotives are completely digital and automatically controlled.

Video #023#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pz6Ia1STGlw

Turntable and Roundhouse for Model Railways

This video is about a beautiful steam locomotive. The steam train is loaded with coal and then the steam loco moves to the railway turntable. Then it moves into the roundhouse or engine shed. The entire model railroad layout is digitally controlled.

Video #022#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHdwuiqwdro

The Great Model Railway Layout in 1 Gauge at the Hamburg Museum

In Hamburg, there is not only the Miniatur Wunderland, but there is also the very impressive model railway layout, namely one of the oldest and largest model railway displays in Europe in 1 Gauge. The model train layout is located at the Hamburg Museum. The entire model railway shows an image of the station Hamburg-Harburg. A century of railroad history is represented. Since 1949, trains running on 1,200 meters of track. There are old diesel locomotive models, steams and modern trains. If you don't like the commercial Miniatur Wunderland, you should look at this historical model railway layout, which was opened in October 1949 at the Museum of Hamburg History. Most elements of this layout are handmade and not from retail packages, including signals, buildings, locomotives and wagons. The model trains are controlled by Gahler & Ringstmeier software.

Video #021#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvajTPVZkE0

Vintage Model Trains in O Scale with Cab Ride at the Dresden Railroad Museum

If you like vintage trains, locomotives and railways, you will love this model railway layout at the Dresden Railroad and Transport Museum. This model railroad layout was built in the 1960's in O scale in the German Democratic Republic, i.e. East Germany. Originally, the model train layout and its signal box were used to explain the rail traffic to young railway engineers, for example, they learned about the process of signalling control of train movements and block systems to ensure that trains operate safely. Today, this model train layout is a very popular destination, especially during the Christmas season. In this video, you can watch many locomotives and trains of East Germany. Furthermore, Pilentum installed a little camera inside the locomotives for making cab ride videos.

Video #020#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VovKfPDiGSE

Largest Model Railway Layout of Switzerland in O Scale with Cab Ride

One of the largest model railroad layouts of Switzerland in O scale was built by the Swiss association of model railroad friends in Baar. The Gotthard Railway Line and the Furka-Oberalp-Express Railway Line were rebuilt on this model railway layout. When Pilentum visited this layout he installed a camera inside the locomotive for making cab passenger rides. There are the famous and most beautiful locomotives of the Swiss Federal Railways.

Video #019#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xb00IPgOefc

The largest European model train layout based on the Black Forest landscape

In Germany, the Black Forest is a large forested mountain range bounded by the Rhine valley to the west and south. And, there is also the largest European model train layout based on this landscape. The model railroad layout is a replica in 1/87 scale. On 400 square meter, more than 40 model trains are driving through a wonderfully detailed landscape. There are 1,300 meter of railway tracks in HO scale.

Video #018#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbNhW90H8Hs

Model railway layout of 500 square meter in HO scale

In Germany, there is a permanent model railroad exhibit showing the largest model train layout about Thuringia in HO scale. The exhibiton area takes 500 square meters, approximately 50 meters in length and 10 meters in width. The goal was to represent the rail traffic service inside the region between Eisenach, Erfurt and Weimar in Germany. In addition to the model trains, also the most sights of this region are shown, for example, the Wartburg, the significant monument of German history, or the Kyffhäuser monument. There is also the depot Meiningen, known as Germany's best workshop for steam locomotives. Finally, there are 120 model trains, locomotives and over 1,000 coaches.

Video #017#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCgPpKxFfNI

Model Train Layout about the famous Orient Express Passenger Train Service in HO Scale

The Orient Express was a long distance passenger train service created in 1883. The first train left Paris for Vienna. Later the railway route ran from Paris to Istanbul crossing Munich, Budapest, Bucharest and Zurich. Due to the fame of this railway line, a replica was modeled in HO scale. The model railroad layout presents the famous cities and train stations where the Orient Express once has gone. This model railroad display is one section of the great model railway exhibition called “Model Railway Wiehe” in Germany.

Video #016#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htSP3eseDs8

TT Scale Model Train Layout

This is a very big TT scale model railway layout from Germany. TT scale is a niche model railroading scale, whose name stands for Table Top. On the railway lines are model trains crusing along German landscapes. This model railroad display is one section of the great model railway exhibition called “Model Railway Wiehe” in Germany.

Video #015#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFdjPomlbQk

Model Tram and Tramways in O Scale

In this video, Pilentum presents a model railway layout in O scale with model trams and model tramways. These streetcar, trolley and cable car drove in the city of Dresden, Germany. The model railway display was installed inside the Dresden Railway Museum.

Video #014#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJ7jV9ECQmc

Amazing G Scale Model Railway Layout with US Trains

This is a very big model railroad layout in G scale about the USA and its trains. On the one hand, there are the beautiful steam locomotives from Santa Fe and Rio Grande, and on the other hand, there a modern trains from Amtrak and Union Pacific. The locomotives and coaches are made by LGB. Very impressive are the locomotives climbing up to the hills. This model railroad display is one section of the great model railway exhibition called “Model Railway Wiehe” in Germany.

Video #013#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmvX7BraXs0

Model Train Layout of LGB Toy Trains

In this video, Pilentum presents a model train layout in G scale. There are model trains made by LGB cruising along a typical German landscape. This model railroad display is one section of the great model railway exhibition called “Model Railway Wiehe” in Germany.

Video #012#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcaqMQqXZZI

The Miniature Elbe Valley Railway in HO Scale

In Germany, the Elbe Valley is a very popular landscape. The destination is located near Dresden. Because it is such a beautiful landscape, there is also a model railway layout in HO scale. This permanent model railroad exhibit is called “The Miniature Elbe Valley Railway”. The exhibition presents a detailed replica of the old Saxon-Bohemian Railway. Only trains of the former German Democratic Republic from the period from 1950 to 1976 are driving along the railway line. It is a unique representation of the rail traffic of the former GDR. The model trains are digitally controlled by the DigiRail software.

Video #011#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yB2UlEOg-sg

Largest Model Train Show of the World

This is the largest model train layout of the world. This beautiful model railway is called Miniatur Wonderland. The Miniatur Wonderland is Germany's largest and finest model railroad exhibit, and the largest of its kind in the world. The model railway layout is located in Hamburg, Germany. There are 50,525 ft of railway tracks in HO scale, divided into several sections, for example, Germany, Alps and Austria, City of Hamburg, America, Scandinavia, Switzerland and Italy. One of the most popular attractions, beside the model trains, is the replica of the Hamburg Airport because it is a fully functioning miniature airport complete with departures and landings of model airplanes. I guess, you will not believe your eyes when you watch this video.

Video #010#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EibDpI62OA

Fantastic Model Train Layout in HO Scale

In this video, Pilentum presents a fantastic model train layout in HO scale. Why is it so fantastic? Because this model railroad display is an replica of a railway line near Frankfurt/Main, Germany, built in great detail. Model trains are running in DCC mode.

Video #009#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaPI0Hjsy3c

LGB Model Trains - Indoor Model Railroad Layout in G Scale

Often people compare model trains made by LGB with toys trains for childen. But if, in addition to the toy trains, a whole landscape still exists, then it is a beautiful model railroad layout. Please, enjoy these LGB model trains running along an indoor model railway display.

Video #008#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMOZDiJTiWM

LGB Model Trains - Outdoor Model Railroad Layout in G Scale

Many people compare the model trains of LGB with toys trains for kids. But if, in addition to the model trains, a whole landscape still exists, then it is a beautiful model railroad layout. Please, enjoy these LGB model trains running along an outdoor model railway display.

Video #007#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTGm-Wn5cyk

The Largest O Scale Model Train Layout in Europe

This O scale model railroad layout was built between 1928 and 1960. All locomotives, buildings and railway tracks were manufactured entirely by hand. The model trains are more than 80 years old, but they were upgraded from analog to digital control in the year 2008. It is the largest and also the oldest O scale model railroad in Europe.

Video #006#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tHBOsodMrw

Model Trains at the Gotthard Mountain in Switzerland

This model railroad layout, built in H0 scale, presents the rail traffic at the famous Gotthard Mountain in Switzerland. This model railway display is an exact replica of the typical Swiss landscape. There are locomotives, freight trains and passenger trains from Switzerland. And, there is the typical construction of the catenary above the railway lines in Switzerland.

Video #005#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKhnES20U5A

Model Railroad and Model Trains in HO Scale from Germany

This video is about a permanent model railroad exhibit in Germany. The model railway layout is built in H0 scale. There are locomotives, railcars, freight trains and passsenger coaches of the 1980ies used by German Federal Railways. Please, enjoy a lot of model trains and rail traffic in miniature.

Video #004#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNBDEpghJAU

HO Scale Model Railway Layout from Germany

This awesome model train layout in HO scale is one of the largest model railroad layouts in Germany. It's an amazing model railway layout with hundreds of digitally controled model trains. There are famous trains of the German Federal Railways, high speed trains and steam trains. This model railway layout is a permanent model railroad exhibit near Frankfurt/Main, Germany.

Video #003#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjtIDTxgVeY

Model Trains from Austria HO Scale Railroad Display

This model railroad display in HO Scale is about the city of Dürnstein, Austria. There a many model trains cruising through the beautiful landscape along the river. This model railroad display was constructed by the famous designer Josef Brandl. It's an highly detailed model railway with a lot of rail traffic.

Video #002#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVFX6j7z0W8

Model Trains from Switzerland HO Scale Railroad Layout

An amazing model railway layout about Switzerland and its famous Glacier Express. Watch a model train, cruising between Brig, Visp and Zermatt on this little model railroad diorama built in HO scale.

Video #001#

Available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wANYelFLMGw

Model Train of the famous Sherman Hill Railroad

Model Trains in HO scale of the famous Sherman Hill railway line. Watch the Big Boy of the Union Pacific railroad class 4000, an amazing steam locomotive, and the Big Boy Challenger as well as some diesel locomotives in HO gauge scale.