DCC Portal

If you want to visit the largest HO scale model railroad in the world, you’d better pack your bagsthe Miniature Wonderland is located in Hamburg, Germany. For true hobbyists, though, it’s worth the trip. With over 11,000 meters (36,089 feet) of fully computerized track, the model is both a memorial and a challenge to DCC enthusiastsyou can’t help but be inspired to go home and stock your own set up a little bit.The model celebrates the international appeal of model railroading, with sections based around America, Hamburg and the Coast, Scandinavia, Southern Germany and the Austrian Alps, and Switzerland. Perhaps it’s better to just let the numbers tell the story, though: in 2009, there were over 10,000 train cars, 170 computer-controlled cars, 200,000 people, 200 cameras, 300,000 LED lightsI say 2009 because the creators, brothers Frederik and Gerrit Braun, aren’t done yet. By 2014 they aim to add five more sections. About 1,396,300 has been spent on the railroad so farafter the final completions are done, the value should be somewhere around 2,094,450.

Model railroading is one hobby where a good guidebook can really come in handy. The vast amount of details and specifications that go into even the smallest freight car or piece of scenery can be a headachebut also a lot of fun if you have the patience and the right resources. These books have come in handy in the pastwe hope they work for you, too.How to Build Realistic Model Railroad Scenery by Dave Frary: This is one book you can judge by the cover. If you’re having trouble making your railroad presentable, check out this book for advice and examples of how to create everything from lakes to mountains. Reviewers have also commented that it applies well to any other hobby where you need to make realistic backdrops. (more…)