Era VI represents modern, internationally connected railway operations since 2007. ICE, Railjet, Nightjet, Vectron, double-deck trains, regional multiple units, private operators and specialised freight trains meet digitised stations, simplified branch lines and a wide variety of colours, operators and vehicle designs.
Under the commonly used German NEM classification, Era VI begins in 2007. No final year has yet been defined, which means that it represents present-day railway operations. Unlike earlier eras, it is not dominated by a single state railway or one consistent colour scheme.
Numerous companies operate on the German and European railway networks. In addition to DB Fernverkehr, DB Regio and DB Cargo, regional operators, private railway companies, leasing companies and international railways are represented. Diesel and electric locomotives may change operators, be leased, receive new vinyl coverings or carry distinctive advertising and anniversary designs.
An important identifying feature is the twelve-digit vehicle number used under the UIC or TSI system. Vehicle inscriptions also include keeper markings, country codes and technical data. Model railway enthusiasts should therefore check not only the class but also the operator, lettering and year represented.
Passenger traffic is largely characterised by multiple units and push-pull trains. ICE, InterCity, Railjet, Nightjet, double-deck trains, S-Bahn services and modern regional multiple units offer numerous layout themes. Freight traffic is dominated by container, tank, steel, timber, car and bulk trains.
Further modern prototypes can be found in the model railway company overview . German, European and private operators can be selected according to region, gauge and type of service.
The NEM standards do not define official subdivisions. For layout planning, however, a practical division based on vehicles, operators and infrastructure is useful.
Twelve-digit vehicle numbers became increasingly widespread. ICE trains, locomotive-hauled InterCity services, Taurus and TRAXX locomotives and older standard electric locomotives operated alongside one another. Many vehicles still carried late Era V colour schemes, while private freight and regional operators became more visible.
Vectron locomotives, new regional multiple units, double-deck InterCity trains and modern multi-system vehicles became increasingly common on main lines. Nightjet, Railjet, EuroCity and private long-distance services expanded the range of international train formations.
Modern electric, dual-mode, battery and hybrid vehicles supplement existing fleets. Leasing locomotives frequently change operators. Older classes such as 111, 143, 155, 218 and 232 nevertheless remain visible in selected duties and with private railway companies.
Operator logos, advertising vinyls, vehicle numbers and train services can change within a short period. A layout representing 2009 therefore looks different from a scene set in 2025. Selecting a specific year makes it easier to choose locomotives, coaches, road vehicles, platform equipment and advertising.
Different operators can convincingly appear on the same layout. Main lines, border stations and freight corridors in particular display a wide variety of railway companies.
Long-distance services, regional traffic and freight logistics
DB Fernverkehr operates ICE and InterCity trains. DB Regio provides Regional-Express, Regionalbahn and S-Bahn services. DB Cargo operates international freight trains and serves major industrial customers, terminals and marshalling yards.
Regional traffic, long-distance trains and cross-border logistics
ODEG, Alex and NordWestBahn offer colourful regional railway themes. PRESS, EBS and ITL Captrain are suitable for engineering, special and freight trains. ÖBB, SBB, SNCF, ČD, PKP, DSB and other European operators can also be represented.
New multi-system locomotives and multiple units operate alongside modernised locomotives that were built in earlier decades.
Vectron, Taurus and TRAXX are among the best-known modern locomotive families. DB and private operators use Classes 101, 112, 146, 152, 185, 187, 189 and 193, among others. Multi-system equipment allows international operation without requiring a locomotive change at every border.
Classes 218, 232 and 294 remain in selected duties. Modern Classes 245 and 247, DE 18 locomotives and dual-mode vehicles handle regional, shunting, engineering and freight services. Private operators frequently continue to use older locomotives in new colour schemes.
ICE, Railjet, double-deck trains, FLIRT, KISS, Desiro, Talent, LINT and other multiple-unit families characterise passenger traffic. Locomotive-hauled push-pull trains remain important in regional and long-distance services. Short regional multiple units are particularly suitable for compact layouts.
Container and pocket wagons, tank wagons, sliding-wall wagons, car-transport wagons, large open wagons and vehicles for timber, steel and construction materials form modern freight trains. Wagon keepers such as VTG, GATX and Wascosa can be combined with numerous locomotive operators.
Modern trains should be assembled according to the operator, route and year represented. International combinations are an important part of the real railway.
ICE multiple units operate as fixed formations. Locomotive-hauled InterCity and EuroCity trains may include DB, ÖBB, SBB, ČD, PKP or DSB coaches. Depending on the route, suitable locomotives include Class 101, Vectron, Taurus and other multi-system locomotives.
Railjet formations combine a driving trailer, passenger coaches and a Taurus or Vectron locomotive. Nightjet trains include sleeping, couchette and seated coaches of different designs. FlixTrain and other private services introduce distinctive colour schemes to modern main lines.
Double-deck push-pull trains, electric multiple units and diesel railcars provide convincing shuttle services. A two-car multiple unit and a small halt are sufficient for a compact layout. Larger layouts can combine Regional-Express, S-Bahn and long-distance services.
A modern freight train may consist of uniform wagons in a block train or a mixed international wagon fleet. Vectron, TRAXX, Classes 152, 155, 185 and 189, DE 18 and Class 232 locomotives are suitable depending on the route and operating task.
Modern vehicles look particularly convincing when signals, platforms, roads and freight facilities match present-day railway operations.
Small and medium-sized stations often feature prefabricated concrete platforms, ramp access, passenger shelters, ticket machines and digital information displays. Historic station buildings may be privately used or physically separated from the active platform area.
Ks signals and electronic interlockings characterise modernised routes. Older colour-light signals and semaphore signals can still appear where a line has not yet been rebuilt. Local signal boxes increasingly disappear or remain as unused buildings.
Container terminals, freight villages, tank farms, steelworks, timber loading facilities and building-material sidings provide suitable themes. Former loading roads and goods sheds may instead be closed, overgrown or converted into car parks and commercial areas.
Modern cars, electric vehicles, delivery vans, public buses, parcel services, bicycles and charging points complete the scene. Noise barriers, new road bridges and removed level crossings characterise upgraded main lines.
The selection ranges from compact Z-gauge trains to garden railways. H0 offers the greatest variety, while N and TT are particularly suitable for long modern trains.
| Gauge | Scale | Particular strength | Suitable Era VI themes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Z | 1:220 | Very low space requirements | Vectron, FlixTrain, ICE and compact main lines |
| N | 1:160 | Long passenger and freight trains | ICE, IC2, Nightjet, Railjet, container and tank trains |
| TT | 1:120 | Space-saving size with good visible detail | DB Cargo, private operators, Vectron, Railion and Central Europe |
| H0 AC / H0 DC | 1:87 | Largest selection of vehicles and accessories | Long-distance, regional, private and freight traffic throughout Europe |
| H0m / H0e | 1:87 | Narrow-gauge and mountain railways | RhB, MGB, MOB, HSB and tourist railways |
| 0 / 0e | approximately 1:45 | High level of detail and shunting operation | Industrial sidings, private railways and small termini |
| 1 | 1:32 | Large digital and sound-equipped models | Modern electric and diesel locomotives and collector’s models |
| G | usually approximately 1:22.5 | Large-scale and garden railways | PRESS, EBS, DB, HSB, RhB and modern narrow gauge |
The operator, year represented, route and type of train provide the main theme for a convincing modern layout.
Select a year such as 2010, 2018 or 2025. Then choose between a German main line, Alpine route, border station, regional network, narrow-gauge railway or freight corridor.
DB, ÖBB, SBB, ČD and other national operators can be combined with private companies and leasing locomotives. ODEG, Alex and NordWestBahn suit regional routes, while PRESS, EBS and ITL Captrain are suitable for freight trains.
Select the type of train first and then add suitable coaches or wagons. A Vectron does not automatically require vehicles from the same operator. International freight trains may contain many different wagon keepers and colour schemes.
Check the gauge, AC or DC version, digital system, interface, train length and minimum radius. Modern multiple units and long coaches often require generous curves and longer platforms.
The selection covers DB, DB Cargo, Railion, PRESS, EBS, FlixTrain, Nightjet and international passenger and freight railway themes.
Locomotives, coaches and wagons in 1:87 scale for AC and DC layouts.
Modern shunting and main-line locomotive for transfer workings and freight trains.
Proven diesel locomotive for regional, special and engineering trains.
Typical passenger coach for Regional-Express and push-pull services.
High-capacity wagon for potash and other bulk materials.
Modern locomotive for double-deck and regional trains.
Electric locomotive for Regional-Express, special and long-distance trains.
Modern locomotives and freight wagons in 1:120 scale.
Modern freight and shunting locomotive with digital sound.
Modern main-line locomotive for freight services without continuous overhead electrification.
Classic freight locomotive in a modern operator and retro-livery theme.
Protected freight wagon for paper, pallets and general cargo.
Modern tank wagon for chemical and hazardous-goods traffic.
DB, Nightjet and double-deck traffic in 1:160 scale.
Powerful freight locomotive for container and block trains.
Proven main-line locomotive for regional, car and special trains.
Classic locomotive for modern regional and special services.
Modern double-deck long-distance train with a driving trailer.
Three-piece coach set for modern international night trains.
DB AG and FlixTrain electric locomotives in 1:220 scale.
Universal locomotive for long-distance and special trains.
Distinctive green multi-system locomotive for private long-distance services.
Panorama and passenger coaches for the MOB and RhB.
Large diesel locomotives from PRESS and EBS.
Large private-railway locomotive for special, engineering and freight trains.
Powerful Ludmilla locomotive for heavy freight and special trains.
Answers about the period, vehicle numbers, operators, train formations, gauges and modern layout design.
Under NEM 806 D, Era VI began in 2007. No final year has yet been defined. It therefore represents the current era of liberalised and internationally connected railway operations.
An important feature is the twelve-digit vehicle number used under the UIC or TSI system. Keeper markings, modern operator logos and a wide variety of colour or advertising schemes are additional identifying features.
Yes. Era VI began in 2007 and remains open-ended. A specific year should nevertheless be selected for current models because operators and vehicle inscriptions can change frequently.
Typical examples include Vectron, Taurus and TRAXX locomotives, together with Classes 101, 112, 146, 152, 185, 187, 189, 193, 218, 232, 245, 247, 248 and 294 and the DE 18. Older locomotives may also remain in use with private operators.
This is possible during the transitional period around 2007. The vehicle number, operator logo and specific operating condition must match the selected year. Models with obsolete numbers or long-removed markings do not automatically suit a later scene.
Yes. Museum, heritage, special-train and private-railway vehicles can operate in Era VI. They should carry period-appropriate inspection inscriptions, vehicle numbers and operator markings.
DB, ÖBB, SBB, SNCF, ČD, PKP, DSB and other European railways can meet in international passenger and freight trains. Private operators and leasing locomotives can add further variety to the formation.
Suitable options include short regional multiple units, a two-car diesel multiple unit, a compact push-pull train or a shunting locomotive with a few freight wagons. A small halt requires considerably less space than an ICE station.
H0 offers the largest selection of modern vehicles and accessories. N is particularly suitable for long ICE, Nightjet and freight trains. TT combines moderate space requirements with many German and Central European vehicles.
Ks signals and electronic interlockings are particularly typical. Older colour-light and semaphore signals may remain on routes that have not yet been modernised. The development status of the route represented is decisive.
Yes. Sound decoders, digital couplings, functional lighting, feedback systems, smartphone control and computer operation are highly suitable for a modern model railway. The era describes the prototype rather than the digital system being used.
Discover gauges, railway companies, digital technology, layout planning, train formations, scenery design, maintenance and further railway eras.
