Two twin brothers in Hamburg have made a childhood dream come true: They've assembled the world’s largest model railway, Miniatur Wunderland. Housed in old warehouses, it delights visitors from around the world.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00This is the world's largest model railway, with new things constantly being added.
00:08We had this vision of recreating the Monaco Grand Prix with real little Formula 1 cars racing in it.
00:16You can't install any tech into these tiny cars, it's impossible.
00:20Some 1,200 trains zip through Germany, Europe and the world.
00:25All of this is down to a childhood dream of these twins.
00:31And they've just opened up a brand new area.
00:34The display has 16.5 kilometres of track.
00:42There are also around 300,000 figurines,
00:475,000 buildings
00:50and some 500,000 LED lamps that light up at night, which comes every 15 minutes.
00:56Miniatur Wunderland is housed in old warehouses at Hamburg's port.
01:01It all began in 2001.
01:04Since then, the founders have constantly expanded and enlarged their miniature worlds.
01:08Today, the attraction is around five times its original size.
01:17Frederik got the idea from our childhood impulse towards play, which we always had.
01:22We played so much as children.
01:25We hope that for many people we can reawaken that instinct for playfulness.
01:29The Principality of Monaco and France's Provence are now also part of Miniatur Wunderland.
01:34As always, in 1 to 87 scale.
01:38In addition to the yachts on the harbour, the Formula 1 circuit is also part of the cityscape.
01:45We have a big team that loves to laugh, that's very creative, that goes through the world with their eyes wide open.
01:51That all fits with Monaco.
01:52Miniatur Wunderland has 14 different worlds and theme areas.
01:57One of the most popular is Knuffingen, the fictitious city that started it all.
02:04Equally fascinating, Knuffingen Airport, where 45 different airplanes land and take off.
02:10There's one country in particular that seems especially popular though.
02:15The miniature Swiss factory produces real chocolate at the press of a button.
02:20Throughout Miniatur Wunderland there are hundreds of easter eggs.
02:24Where the person who built something has in some way brought their own self-expression into it.
02:29I was looking recently and you can spot some here and there.
02:32Seek and you shall find.
02:34Whether it's pippi longstocking at home in Villi Villicula or lovers in Venice.
02:39Wherever you look, Miniatur Wunderland is full of surprises.