International multi-system locomotives, ICE and InterCity trains, Railjet and Nightjet services, modern regional multiple units, private railway companies, leasing fleets and long container trains: Era VI represents today's exceptionally diverse railway world and allows public, private and international operators to appear convincingly on the same model railway layout.
Era VI Model Railway | Modern Railways Since 2007 describes the present-day railway world. Under the commonly used German NEM classification, the era begins in 2007 and currently has no defined end. Unlike earlier eras, there is no single railway company or uniform colour scheme that defines the entire railway scene.
On German and European routes, DB Fernverkehr, DB Regio and DB Cargo meet ÖBB, SBB, ČD, PKP and many other railways. They are joined by regional operators, private freight companies, rolling-stock leasing companies and international logistics businesses. A Vectron can therefore carry different operator logos, advertising vinyls or country-specific markings within only a few years.
One particularly important identifying feature is the twelve-digit vehicle number. This is supplemented by country codes, vehicle keeper markings and further technical lettering. For a convincing model railway, the class and era alone are therefore not enough: the operator and the specific year represented should also be checked.
Passenger traffic is dominated by multiple units and push-pull trains: ICE, InterCity, Railjet, Nightjet, FLIRT, KISS, Desiro, Talent and LINT provide a wide range of options. Modern freight trains often consist of containers, pocket wagons, tank wagons, car carriers or wagons for steel, timber and construction materials.
Modern vehicle inscriptions include information such as vehicle type, country of registration, individual vehicle number and keeper marking. These fine details are especially effective on Vectron, Taurus and TRAXX locomotives and on modern freight wagons.
The NEM standards do not currently define official subdivisions within Era VI. For layout planning, however, a practical orientation based on vehicles, operators and technology is useful.
Twelve-digit vehicle numbers become part of the everyday railway scene. ICE trains, classic InterCity services, Taurus and TRAXX locomotives and numerous older locomotive classes operate side by side. Private regional and freight operators become increasingly visible on major routes.
The Vectron develops into one of the most important modern locomotive platforms. IC2 double-deck trains, new regional multiple units, Railjet, Nightjet and international EuroCity services considerably broaden the railway scene.
Battery, hybrid and dual-mode vehicles supplement electric and diesel traction. Leasing locomotives frequently change operators. Older Classes 111, 143, 218 or 232 can nevertheless still be seen in selected services.
Operator logos, vinyl coverings, vehicle numbers and train services can change within only a few years. A layout representing 2009 therefore looks noticeably different from a railway scene set in 2018 or 2026.
Different railway companies can deliberately operate side by side in Era VI. The logos lead directly to their respective English theme pages at Modellbahnshop.
Siemens Vectron locomotives represent international passenger and freight traffic. Multi-system versions cross borders without a traditional locomotive change and appear with numerous operators.
TRAXX locomotives of Classes 145, 146, 185, 186 and related variants characterise freight, regional and international traffic in many European countries.
Taurus locomotives are particularly associated with ÖBB, Railjet and international passenger trains. Private operators and advertising locomotives add striking colour variations.
ICE 1, ICE 3 and ICE 4 represent high-speed traffic. They are complemented by classic InterCity trains and double-deck InterCity services, allowing several generations of long-distance transport to appear together.
Railjet, Nightjet and international EuroCity services add variety to a European main-line layout. Coaches belonging to different railway companies can deliberately appear together.
FLIRT, KISS, Desiro, Talent and LINT dominate many regional networks. Short multiple units are ideal for compact layouts because they require no locomotive change and very little shunting space.
Dual-mode, hybrid and battery vehicles supplement traditional electric and diesel traction. They are particularly interesting for transfer workings, engineering trains and regional networks without continuous overhead electrification.
Container, pocket, tank, sliding-wall, car, timber and steel wagons form specialised block trains. The wagon keeper and locomotive operator do not have to be the same company.
ICE multiple units operate as fixed formations. Locomotive-hauled InterCity and EuroCity trains can contain coaches from several European railways and be hauled by Class 101, Vectron or Taurus locomotives.
Railjet push-pull trains combine a driving trailer and passenger coaches with a Taurus or Vectron. Nightjet services combine sleeping, couchette and seated coaches and are ideal for international main lines.
A modern multiple unit requires little operational space. Larger layouts can add double-deck push-pull trains with Class 146, 245 or comparable locomotives.
Vectron, TRAXX, Classes 152, 185 and 189, DE 18 or older private-railway locomotives can haul uniform block trains or internationally mixed wagon formations.
Locomotive operators, wagon keepers and freight customers are often different companies. VTG, GATX or Wascosa wagons can therefore convincingly operate behind locomotives from a wide range of railways.
Concrete platforms, ramps, passenger shelters, ticket machines and digital information displays characterise many stations. Historic station buildings can continue to exist alongside them or may now be used privately.
The combination of a historic station building and modern railway equipment is particularly typical of many real-world stations.
Ks signals and electronic interlockings are particularly suitable for modernised main lines. Older signalling systems can still appear on branch and regional routes that have not yet been rebuilt.
Container terminals, tank farms, steelworks, timber loading facilities and building-material sidings are strong themes. Older goods sheds can instead be shown as closed, overgrown or converted for commercial use.
Modern cars, electric vehicles, delivery vans, parcel services, public buses, bicycles and charging points belong to today's surroundings. Noise barriers and new road bridges complement upgraded routes.
H0 offers the largest selection, N allows long ICE and freight trains, while TT is strong for German and Central European vehicles. H0m offers modern Alpine railways and G gauge provides impressive private-railway and narrow-gauge vehicles.
| Gauge | Scale | Particular Strength | Suitable Era VI Themes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Z | 1:220 | Maximum route length in limited space | Vectron, FlixTrain, ICE and main lines |
| N | 1:160 | Long passenger and freight trains | IC2, Nightjet, ICE, Cargo and Railjet |
| TT | 1:120 | Well-balanced space requirements and detail | DB Cargo, private operators, Vectron and Central Europe |
| H0 AC / DC | 1:87 | Largest selection | Long-distance, regional and freight traffic |
| H0m / H0e | 1:87 | Narrow-gauge and Alpine railways | RhB, MGB, MOB and HSB |
| 0 / 0e | approx. 1:45 | Detail and shunting operation | Industry and private railways |
| 1 | 1:32 | Large digital models | Electric and diesel locomotives |
| G | approx. 1:22.5 | Large-scale and garden railways | PRESS, EBS, HSB and RhB |
Select a year such as 2010, 2018 or 2026. Then choose a main line, regional network, Alpine route, border station or freight corridor.
DB, ÖBB and SBB can be combined with private railway companies and leasing locomotives. This variety is particularly prototypical on modern main lines.
Decide between an ICE, regional train, Nightjet, container, tank or engineering train and then select a suitable locomotive and matching coaches or wagons.
AC or DC, digital decoder, interface, minimum radius, platform length and train length should all be checked before buying. Long modern coaches require sufficient space.
The manufacturer logos lead directly to the English brand pages at Modellbahnshop. Their ranges complement one another in long-distance traffic, regional railways, freight and narrow gauge.
The initial selection covers modern long-distance, regional and freight traffic. Additional matching models are loaded directly from current English shop sections. Archived product pages are excluded.
Current Era VI selection loaded.
Modern multi-system locomotive for international freight and intermodal trains.
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Modern high-capacity wagon for potash and other bulk-material block trains.
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Modern diesel locomotive for double-deck and regional trains.
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Five-car electric multiple unit for modern regular-interval regional traffic.
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Versatile electric locomotive for Regional-Express, special and passenger services.
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Modern main-line locomotive for freight services without continuous overhead electrification.
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Powerful freight locomotive for container and block trains.
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Double-deck long-distance coaches for modern InterCity routes.
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Three coaches for modern European night-train services.
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Distinctive green multi-system locomotive for private long-distance traffic.
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Large diesel locomotive for special, engineering and freight trains.
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Ludmilla locomotive in modern private-railway service for heavy trains.
View Product →These models are added directly from current English theme and product-category pages at Modellbahnshop.
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, so it represents the current era of internationally connected railway operations.
No. The NEM standards do not currently define official subdivisions. Periods such as 2007–2012, 2012–2020 or since 2020 are only practical guides for model railway planning.
The twelve-digit vehicle number is particularly important. Country and keeper markings, modern operator logos and frequently changing advertising or leasing designs are additional features.
Vectron, Taurus and TRAXX locomotives characterise many main lines. Typical examples also include Classes 101, 112, 146, 152, 185, 187, 189, 193, 218, 232, 245, 247, 248 and 294 as well as the DE 18.
Yes. DB, ÖBB, SBB, ČD, PKP and other operators regularly meet in international passenger and freight traffic. Private railway companies and leasing locomotives add even more variety.
This is possible during the transition around 2007. The vehicle number, operator logo and specific operating condition must, however, match the chosen year. A vehicle with older markings does not automatically suit a much later present-day scene.
Yes. Classes 111, 143, 155, 218 or 232 can still be found in particular Era VI duties or with private operators. Museum and special trains are also possible.
Short regional multiple units, a compact push-pull train or a shunting locomotive with a few freight wagons are especially suitable. An ICE station requires considerably more platform length.
First choose the type of traffic: containers, tank wagons, steel, timber or bulk goods. Then select a suitable locomotive and matching wagons. VTG, GATX or Wascosa wagons can be combined with different locomotive operators.
Ks signals and electronic interlockings are particularly typical. Older colour-light and even semaphore signals can still be convincing on routes that have not yet been modernised.
H0 offers the largest selection of modern vehicles and accessories. N is particularly suitable for long passenger and freight trains, TT for German and Central European vehicles and H0m for modern metre-gauge railways.
Yes. Sound decoders, digital couplings, functional lighting, feedback systems, smartphone control and computer operation are especially suitable for a modern model railway.
The comprehensive Model Railway Guide also provides information about gauges, railway companies, digital technology, train formations, track planning, scenery and layout construction.
Classification according to NEM 806 D · Editorial status: September 2026
