Press info from 01.03.2023: Participate Actively. Talk Shop. Go Shopping! at Modellbahn in Mannheim from 10 to 12 March 2023

Novelties squared – the FASZINATION MODELLBAHN makes it possible: From 10-12 March 2023, the public can experience the model railroad innovations of the year live for the first time in the Maimarkthalle Mannheim! Brand new technologies, new digital features, top-designed equipment and great sound and lighting solutions will be on display. With spectacular miniature layouts, top exhibitors, a varied hands-on program and lots of community feeling, the international trade show for model railroads and accessories is a happening for the whole family that guarantees 100% fun with model railroading.

At FASZINATION MODELLBAHN, technology fans, enthusiastic enthusiasts and passionate professionals will get a holistic overview of current trends and new products in the model railroad industry. In addition to the countless show layouts and their stories, renowned manufacturers, associations and clubs will once again offer their audience numerous opportunities to try out, play, tinker and store this year. Even the “railroad romantic” Hagen von Ortloff is involved this time as an exhibitor and will be available for his fans at the autograph sessions. In the midst of these miniature worlds that tell of the past and present, exhibitors from all over Germany, beautiful France, Italy, Austria, Poland, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic offer all gauges, the latest technology, model railroad software, accessories and much more around the rolling stock. They thus provide plenty of inspiration for visitors. For families, FASZINATION MODELLBAHN offers all kinds of opportunities to spend valuable family time together and immerse themselves in the fascinating world of miniatures.

Model railroad innovations for all generations

The market leader Märklin has always accompanied model railroad fans of all generations in the pursuit of their passion. His repertoire ranges from finely rendered classics from all eras of railroad history to the power machines of today’s train traffic. In 2023, Märklin will again have new products for every age group at FASZINATION MODELLBAHN. Speaking of age: Happy Birthday to 30 years of the Märklin Insider Club! This is celebrated with a unique anniversary model: The heavy class 44 freight steam locomotive is available for the first time with a tub tender, the mfx+ digital decoder, and extensive sound functions.

Märklin “Start up” offers an easy introduction to this educationally valuable hobby for young railroaders aged six and up, for example, with a (Golden) Bear Strong Trio consisting of a freight train with a steam locomotive, a tipper car, and a freight car in a colorful Haribo design. And very young train drivers aged three and up are sure to find their favorite themed world in the child-friendly “My world” assortment, such as the “Car transport” starter pack with a powerful diesel locomotive with various sounds and lights. Both product lines can be tested live on the large play area. Need some professional advice? From technicians to seminar instructors, service and plant engineers, professionals from all areas will be available to interested visitors as discussion partners at the Märklin booth.

Tillig has more than 140 new items in this year’s range, which are characterized by high precision, accuracy and reliability. At the PIKO booth, digital riders and newcomers can look forward to the newly developed version of the PIKO SmartControlwlan control system with color display and WLAN connection. In addition, manufacturers will have numerous new designs to marvel at and try out, just waiting to be discovered by model railroad fans at FASZINATION MODELLBAHN 2023.

Plant equipment at its best

Immerse yourself in other worlds, get creative, work by hand, improve skills, store and experience interesting history: All this is offered by the wonderful hobby of railroad modelling. By designing their layouts, builders become directors of their own miniature worlds. To be able to create realistically, they need the appropriate accessories. At FASZINATION MODELLBAHN, small-series manufacturers and accessory specialists will present an excellently assorted selection from more than 40 product groups, including rolling stock, analog and digital components, figures, and nature and landscape decorations. In addition, buildings, lights, interiors and decorations of all kinds from different eras can be purchased. The market and innovation leader Herpa offers particularly authentic and sophisticated car and truck models. At the Herpa booth, in addition to a diverse product range of both modern and historical models, there will also be an exclusive trade show model for sale: a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 18 “Faszination Modellbahn Mannheim 2023”. Visitors to the trade fair will take home plenty of new impulses, ideas and inspiration for their own projects. And buy a new favorite item or two that will look fabulous in the miniature world at home.

Off to the limelight: Eight private plants in competition

The public will experience a highlight of a special class at the unique private plant competition, which will be held in cooperation between the trade fair organizer and the trade magazine MIBA under the motto “From the hobby cellar into the limelight”. Eight private model railroad teams will compete with their imaginatively created railroad layouts. They are true artists and it is a great pleasure for visitors to discover the many refinements of the layouts on display and to chat with the proud layout owners about the details. Whether it’s experiencing a small grain silo loading facility in the northeastern USA on the N scale “West Bend Grain”, following the hustle and bustle of a small town in Provence on the H0 scale, or marveling at the model railroad layout for the shoe closet in H0e: At FASZINATION MODELLBAHN, they all face off against a qualified jury of experts and will be duly celebrated at the award ceremony in the popular Model Railroad Forum on the Saturday of the fair.

MIBA can also celebrate its 75th anniversary this year. For this occasion, the module group “Weinheim Valley” has started a special project: The Weschnitzal Überwald Project (WÜP). From the January 2023 issue to the December 2023 issue, the project will be presented step by step in the trade journal MIBA, with detailed descriptions in the style of the legendary “Vogelsberger Westbahn” from 1998. The centerpiece is the central Mörlenbach station, which will be presented to the public for the first time exclusively at FASZINATION MODELLBAHN Mannheim.

Always up-to-date with clever technology

The latest manufacturing methods, including industrial 3D printing technologies, are already standard in model railroad construction. Exhibitor DeskTop Locomotive specializes in this and will be showing its uniquely printed plastic kits for vehicle models and accessories at the show. The exhibitor Clever Train Control will celebrate its premiere at FASZINATION MODELLBAHN. He has a smart and simple operation of locomotives via smartphone app in his luggage. All that is needed to control locomotives, turnouts and signals is WLAN access, the CTC app and the CTC modules. This is simply “Super Duper!” as one fan commented on the FASZINATION MODELLBAHN Facebook account.

Up-to-date are of course also the clubs and associations that give professional tips on the subject of digital control and drive technology. Like the MEC Waiblingen, for example, whose members are happy to talk shop and offer advice and assistance to the interested public. In the Model Railroad Forum, professionals will also be giving short, practical presentations on complex topics, such as lighting technology for model railroad layouts. Cinema feeling with films of fascinating train journeys by “Eisenbahn-Romantik” rounds off the Forum program, which is free of charge for visitors.

Nostalgia with proven technology

Do you know Bing? Once the largest toy and tinware manufacturer in the world, the company was continued after the Great Depression in 1929 by Stephan Bing under the Trix brand. The Friends of the Freinsheim/Pfalz Toy Museum (Bing Museum) will present a rare gauge 1 layout by Bing in Mannheim with steam engines, operating models as well as buildings and accessories from the years 1900-1928. Here, lovers of nostalgia and rarities get their money’s worth. You can expect a busy railroad and extensive information about the almost forgotten brand. If you are now even more interested in fascinating and historically revolutionary technology, you can take a look at the steam-powered stationary models on their pedestals in the steam model building area and gain an insight into their mechanics.

Mannheim in the focus of the model railroad community

Mannheim will advance to the center of the model railroad community from March 10-12. And it is precisely here that a new association has recently been founded, which would like to make historic rail traffic in the Mannheim area an experience for everyone. With cultural excursions on which families can explore the Rhine-Neckar region by rail, STEM projects for children and young people, and prevention work in schools, their goal is to be put into practice. At the FASZINATION MODELLBAHN, this young association called “Eisenbahnfreunde Mannheim e.V.” will be presenting itself for the first time and has some great offers in store: a H0 railroad module, a Fischertechnik train, a nostalgic miniature carousel from 1956, glitter tattoos for the kids and a craft activity with ICE. Cooperations and networking are part of the program at the live trade fair. Fans and families benefit from this. Every child who visits the association’s stand receives a free ticket for the Reptilium Landau.

FUN-FUN-FUN for young and old

The FASZINATION MODELLBAHN inspires its visitors every time anew as a “hands-on fair”. Once again this year, kids will get a playful approach to the miniature hobby at a wide variety of booths. At the Junior College Europa of the BDEF, they learn about the fascination of model railroading at six stations and can even win attractive prizes with a diorama they build themselves. In the tinkering garden of Viessmann-kibri and Vollmer, professionals give advice about the processing of vehicle and building kits, the Vollmer stone art series and the appropriate electronics to make the “rolling stock” drive. The model train manufacturers Märklin and PIKO offer the youngest a free play environment for their first train-breaking experiences. At the booth of the tinkering corner Aichner it is called “tinkerers watch out”, because there young and old can assemble trains and models of their choice under practical and theoretical guidance. Various types of wood and glue are used, as well as tools suitable for children. This not only improves craft skills, but is a welcome alternative to the ubiquitous overload of digital media. Bright children’s eyes and satisfying teeny action are definitely guaranteed at the three-day adventure exhibition!

All information and the online ticket store for FASZINATION MODELLBAHN MANNHEIM, International Fair for Model Railways & Accessories, can be found at www.faszination-modellbahn.com.

 

Exhibition date 2023	March 10-12, 2023
Venue	Maimarkthalle Mannheim Xaver Fuhr Street 101 68163 Mannheim www.maimarktgelaende-mannheim.de
Opening hours	Friday–Sunday each from 09:00-17:00
Prices Online tickets	Tageskarte adults € 12.00 (admission for one person on one day of the fair) Discounted Tageskarte 10,00 € (youths between 9 and 17 years, pupils, students, pensioners or other entitled persons with ID on one day of the fair) Family ticket 30,00 € (admission for 2 adults and demonstrably own children between 9 and 17 years on one day of the fair) Children up to 8 years have free admission https://ticketshop.schall-messen.de/shop/tickets-fuer-die-faszination-modellbahn/

We look forward to your reports and announcements. You can find pictures here: https://www.faszination-modellbahn.com/presse/

Contact:
Messe Sinsheim GmbH, Phone: +49 (0)7025 9206-100, Fax: +49 (0)7025 9206-88100, E-Mail: presse@messe-sinsheim.de