Deutsche Bundesbahn (DB)
The classic West German state railway from 1949 to 1993: steam locomotives, V 100 and V 200, Silberlinge coaches, class 103, Intercity trains and varied freight traffic for almost all gauges.
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Railway companies and railway administrations
Railway Companies for Model Railways
Discover DB, DR and DRG, European state railways, Swiss and Austrian Alpine railways, modern regional railways as well as freight transport and logistics – clearly arranged by prototype and operating theme.
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Which Railway Company Fits Your Model Railway Layout?
Railway companies give a model railway its unmistakable character. Logo, livery, vehicle types, era and operating area determine whether a layout looks like a West German Bundesbahn route, an East German Reichsbahn line, a Swiss Alpine railway or a modern European freight corridor.
This overview presents historic and modern railway companies from Germany and Europe. The linked theme worlds lead to detailed information, typical locomotives and wagons, suitable gauges and matching model railway items at Modellbahnshop.
Railway companies can be selected especially well using three criteria: era, gauge and type of operation. Anyone who loves long international trains will find many ideas with SBB, ÖBB, SNCF, FS or ČD. RhB, MGB and SDG are especially interesting for narrow gauge. Modern freight modellers combine private railway locomotives with wagons from VTG, GATX or Wascosa.
Railway companies at Modellbahnshop
German State Railways and Railway History
From the Länderbahn tradition of Era II to the Deutsche Reichsbahn of the GDR and the Deutsche Bundesbahn: these themes are among the most important foundations of German model railway layouts.
Deutsche Reichsbahn (DR)
East German railway worlds with Reko coaches, Städteexpress, double-deck trains, BR 118, BR 120, BR 132, BR 243 and Saxon or Harz narrow-gauge railways.
Discover models & informationDeutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft (DRG)
The great prototype of Era II with standard steam locomotives, early electric locomotives, compartment coaches, express trains, freight traffic and typical station architecture of the 1920s and 1930s.
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German Private Railways, Regional Rail and Narrow Gauge
Modern regional trains, private freight railways and traditional narrow-gauge routes provide current operating scenes, distinctive liveries and especially varied layouts.
SDG – Saxon Steam Railway Company
Fichtelberg Railway, Lößnitzgrund Railway and Weißeritztal Railway in model form: Saxon narrow gauge with steam locomotives, diesel locomotives, observation cars and passenger coaches in H0e and G.
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Heavy freight trains and distinctive private railway locomotives of Era VI – from the Ludmilla to the modern EuroDual for industrial trains, tank trains, timber trains and construction trains.
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Contemporary rail logistics from Dresden with shunting locomotives, multi-system locomotives, dual-power vehicles and international block trains on important east-west corridors.
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Alex
Blue and white regional and long-distance trains of Länderbahn with ER20 diesel locomotives, Taurus locomotives and locomotive-hauled train sets for Bavaria and cross-border connections.
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ODEG
Yellow-green-white local trains from eastern Germany – ideal for modern regional railway, regional express and commuter scenes of Eras V and VI.
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Nordwestbahn
Modern regional traffic with LINT, Talent, Coradia Continental and Desiro – suitable for branch lines, city-suburban connections and compact local transport layouts.
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PRESS
The distinctive blue private railway combines historic technology and modern operation. V 100, class 218, modern diesel locomotives and freight wagons suit H0, TT, N and garden railway layouts.
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Switzerland, Austria and the Great Alpine Railways
Steep ramps, viaducts, tunnels, rack sections and international north-south traffic make Alpine railway companies especially impressive prototypes for model railways.
SBB – Swiss Federal Railways
From the Swiss Crocodile to Re 4/4, Re 6/6 and Re 460, and on to Giruno and modern SBB Cargo trains – ideal for Alpine routes and international traffic.
Discover models & informationBLS
Bern–Lötschberg–Simplon in model form: historic brown electric locomotives, modern BLS Cargo locomotives, regional trains, car shuttle services and heavy freight trains on the Lötschberg axis.
Discover models & informationRhB – Rhaetian Railway
Red Swiss narrow-gauge trains, Allegra, Glacier Express, Bernina Express, Landwasser Viaduct and fascinating mountain routes for H0m, N and G gauge.
Discover models & informationMGB – Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn
High-mountain railway between Zermatt, Brig, Andermatt and Disentis with rack operation, panorama coaches, Glacier Express, car shuttle services and typical H0m models.
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Alpine railway operation with classic electric locomotives, Jaffa livery, Taurus, Vectron, Railjet, narrow-gauge railways and international freight and passenger trains.
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Railway companies at Modellbahnshop
European State Railways and International Train Worlds
TGV, AVE, ETR, Hondekop, Husarz or NoHAB: European railway administrations make cross-border express trains, night trains, regional services and international freight trains possible.
SNCF – French State Railway
French railway variety with TGV INOUI, Corail coaches, BB 22200, BB 26000, CC 72000, SNCF Réseau as well as historic steam and passenger trains.
Discover models & informationRENFE – Spanish State Railway
Mediterranean railway worlds with AVE high-speed trains, electric locomotives, diesel locomotives, Estrella coaches, regional traffic and modern container trains.
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Italian state railway with historic steam locomotives, D.445, UIC-X coaches, ETR 610, XMPR livery and varied freight traffic between the Alps, cities and coast.
Discover models & informationDSB – Danske Statsbaner
Danish state railway with classic MY diesel traction, red passenger trains, ferry traffic, international coach movements and modern Vectron locomotives.
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Dutch railways with Hondekop, yellow-blue Intercity trains, classes 1200, 1600 and 1700, and modern international connections.
Discover models & informationPKP – Polskie Koleje Państwowe
Polish state railway with distinctive electric and diesel locomotives, PKP Intercity, PKP Cargo, Husarz, Vectron and heavy international freight trains.
Discover models & informationMÁV – Magyar Államvasutak
Hungarian state railway with NoHAB M61, M62, V 43, Taurus, TRAXX, blue Intercity coaches and international train movements through Central and Eastern Europe.
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Modern Czech railway with Škoda electric locomotives, regional railcars, international passenger trains and ČD Cargo freight traffic from Era V onward.
Discover models & informationČSD – Československé státní dráhy
Historic Czechoslovak State Railways with Sergej, Laminátka, steam locomotives, diesel locomotives, electric locomotives and characterful passenger and freight wagons of Eras III and IV.
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Freight Traffic, Wagon Leasing and Logistics
A modern freight train often consists of vehicles from different railways and wagon owners. VTG, GATX, Wascosa and DHL bring tank wagons, containers, swap bodies and special wagons to the layout.
VTG
Wagon leasing and rail logistics with tank wagons, sliding tarpaulin wagons, special freight wagons and suitable locomotives for realistic European freight trains.
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DHL
Modern logistics with container wagons, swap bodies, delivery vehicles, parcel lockers and logistics centres for combined road-rail scenes.
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GATX
International leasing wagons – especially tank wagons, pocket wagons and special vehicles for prototypical freight trains in DC and AC operation.
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Wascosa
Innovative Swiss freight wagons with distinctive articulated tank wagons, container wagons and system wagons for modern trains from DB Cargo, SBB Cargo and other railway companies.
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Guide to vehicle selection
Combining Railway Company, Era and Gauge Correctly
A believable model railway layout does not have to show vehicles from only one railway company. Different railway administrations often meet at border stations, on international main lines and in freight traffic. The decisive factor is that time period, region and train formation remain plausible.
For a classic layout, it is best to choose the era first. Railway company, traction type and gauge then follow. This creates a clear common thread – from locomotives and wagons to buildings, signals, road vehicles and scenery.
| Gauge | Special Strength | Suitable Railway Companies |
|---|---|---|
| H0 gauge | Largest selection, many digital and sound models | DB, DR, DRG, SBB, ÖBB, SNCF, FS, RENFE, PKP, NS, private railways |
| TT gauge | Good compromise between space requirements and detail effect | DR, DB, ČD, ČSD, PKP, MÁV, ÖBB, ITL, EBS, PRESS |
| N gauge | Long passenger and freight trains in limited space | SBB, SNCF, FS, NS, DSB, PKP, DB, DR, freight wagon owners |
| H0e / H0m | Prototype-oriented narrow gauge and mountain railways | SDG, RhB, MGB and selected DR and ÖBB narrow-gauge railways |
| G gauge | Robust large-scale railway and garden railway | RhB, SDG, DR, ÖBB, PRESS and selected freight wagons |
Step 1
Define the Era
DRG mainly belongs to Era II, Deutsche Bundesbahn and DR shape Eras III and IV, while ODEG, EBS, ITL Captrain or modern SBB, ÖBB and SNCF trains mainly fit Eras V and VI.
Step 2
Choose Region and Route Theme
Branch line, Alpine ramp, large city station, narrow-gauge route, container terminal or industrial siding require different vehicles and train lengths.
Step 3
Plan Train Formations
Locomotive and wagons should match the era and the intended operation. International passenger and freight trains may deliberately include vehicles from several railway companies.
Step 4
Consider Gauge and Available Space
H0 offers the largest selection, N makes long trains possible, TT combines space saving with good detail, H0e and H0m are ideal for narrow gauge, and G gauge creates strong impact in the garden.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ about Railway Companies on Model Railways
The following answers help you choose by era, scenery, available space, gauge and desired operating sequence.
Which railway companies are available for model railways?
The range extends from historic state railways such as DRG, DR and Deutsche Bundesbahn to SBB, ÖBB, SNCF, FS, RENFE, PKP, ČD and NS, as well as private railways and wagon owners such as ODEG, ITL Captrain, EBS, PRESS, VTG, GATX and Wascosa.
Which gauge offers the largest selection?
H0 gauge usually offers the greatest model variety. TT and N are also strongly represented. H0m is important for Swiss metre gauge, H0e for Saxon 750 mm narrow gauge, and G gauge for large garden railway layouts.
Can different railway companies be combined in one train?
Yes. International passenger trains, night trains, cross-border services and freight trains often consist of wagons from different railways and wagon owners. Era, route and vehicle technology should still fit together in a plausible way.
What is the difference between DR, DRG and DB?
DRG refers to the Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft of Era II. In model railways, DR usually means the Deutsche Reichsbahn of the GDR. DB on the linked theme page refers to the Deutsche Bundesbahn from 1949 to 1993.
Which railway companies are suitable for narrow gauge?
The SDG with its Saxon 750 mm railways, the metre-gauge Rhaetian Railway and the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn are especially suitable. DR and ÖBB also offer additional narrow-gauge themes.
Which themes suit modern freight trains?
ITL Captrain, EBS, PRESS, PKP Cargo, ČD Cargo and SBB Cargo are strong locomotive themes. Wagons from VTG, GATX, Wascosa and DHL complement tank, container, steel, chemical and logistics trains.
Which railway company suits a German Era III or IV layout?
For a West German layout, Deutsche Bundesbahn is suitable with Silberlinge coaches, V 100, V 200, class 103 and classic freight traffic. For East German motifs, Deutsche Reichsbahn is the right choice with Reko coaches, Städteexpress, BR 118, BR 120, BR 132 and BR 243.
Which railway company is especially suitable for Alpine scenery?
SBB, BLS and ÖBB are especially suitable for standard-gauge Alpine routes. Anyone who wants to represent viaducts, tight radii, mountain villages and narrow gauge will find particularly characteristic prototypes with RhB and Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn.
Which railway company is suitable for a small model railway layout?
Regional and branch-line themes work especially well on small layouts. ODEG, Nordwestbahn, Alex and selected DB or DR routes allow short trains, compact stations and varied commuter operation.
Which European railway companies can be combined believably?
SBB, ÖBB, DB, SNCF, FS, ČD, PKP, NS and DSB can appear together on international main lines, in border stations and in night or freight trains. The decisive factors are a suitable era, a plausible route and coherent coach or wagon formations.
Which railway company offers many possibilities for modern freight trains?
ITL Captrain, EBS, PRESS, SBB Cargo, PKP Cargo and ČD Cargo offer many locomotive themes for Era VI. With wagons from VTG, GATX, Wascosa and DHL, realistic tank, container, chemical and logistics trains can be created.
Your Railway World Starts with the Right Prototype
Choose a railway company from the overview and discover suitable locomotives, multiple units, passenger coaches, freight wagons and inspiration for your model railway layout.