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State railways, private operators and logistics companies

Model Railway Companies | DB, SBB & Private Railways

Discover historic railway administrations, European state railways, modern regional and long-distance operators, private railways, rolling-stock leasing companies and freight operators. The detailed theme pages present typical vehicles, eras, gauges and suitable models for your layout.

All Railway Companies New Theme Pages Discover Models
Roco H0 METRANS Class 386 electric locomotive
Märklin H0 TRI Train Rental Class 110.3 Elephant Express
PIKO H0 FlixTrain Vectron in green livery
The prototype defines the character of the layout

Why Are Railway Companies Important for Model Railways?

A railway company combines vehicles, colours, scenery, operating procedures and railway history into a recognisable model railway world. A West German Bundesbahn route looks different from an East German Reichsbahn layout, a Swiss Alpine railway, a French TGV station or a modern container terminal.

Historic railway administrations such as Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft, Deutsche Reichsbahn and Deutsche Bundesbahn represent clearly distinguishable periods. SBB, ÖBB, SNCF, FS, RENFE, PKP, ČD and other European railways make international passenger and freight trains possible. Modern operators such as FlixTrain, RegioJet, ODEG and Nordwestbahn bring contemporary traffic to the layout.

In freight transport, the operator, owner and wagon keeper can be different companies. A Railpool locomotive can operate for another freight company while the wagons belong to VTG, GATX or Wascosa. Such combinations are typical of Era VI and allow especially varied train formations.

The linked guide pages explain typical locomotives, multiple units, passenger coaches and freight wagons. They also provide guidance on gauges, eras, train lengths, electrical systems and prototype-oriented layout planning.

New detailed railway-company guides

New Railway Companies at Modellbahnshop

The new theme pages extend the overview with private long-distance services, locomotive leasing, intermodal transport, vehicle transfers, container logistics and flexible rental trains.

Arranged by history, region and purpose

Overview of Railway Companies and Administrations

Choose a railway theme and open the detailed guide containing typical vehicles, gauges and suitable products.

German State Railways and Railway History

These three railway administrations form the basis of numerous German layouts representing Eras II to VI.

German Private, Regional and Specialist Railways

Modern regional trains, private freight railways, rental trains, vehicle transfers and narrow-gauge lines provide varied operations.

Switzerland, Austria and Alpine Railways

Viaducts, tunnels, steep gradients, rack operation and international transit traffic make Alpine railway themes especially impressive.

European State and Long-Distance Railways

International railways bring high-speed trains, overnight services, cross-border traffic and characteristic national colours to a layout.

Freight Transport, Leasing and Wagon Rental

Locomotives, operators and wagons in modern freight trains can belong to different companies. This mixture is an important feature of contemporary European railway traffic.

Discover models from well-known brands

Manufacturers for Railway Companies and Administrations

The manufacturer pages contain locomotives, multiple units and coaches from numerous countries and eras. Selecting a logo opens the corresponding range at Modellbahnshop.

Find a suitable railway theme step by step

Which Railway Company Suits My Layout?

A clear layout concept prevents unsuitable vehicle purchases. Begin with the period, region and type of operation before selecting locomotives and coaches.

1. Choose the Era

DRG mainly belongs to Era II. DB and DR define Eras III and IV. Vectron locomotives, private long-distance operators and modern logistics predominantly belong to Eras V and VI.

First decision

Historic railway or present-day operation?

2. Choose the Region

An Alpine ramp, a northern German main line, a Saxon narrow-gauge railway, a French station and a container terminal require different vehicles and buildings.

Planning advice

Choose the region and railway company together.

3. Define the Operation

Regional transport permits short shuttle trains. Long-distance services require long platforms. Freight operation requires passing, shunting, siding or terminal tracks.

For varied operation

Regional and freight railways provide many shunting tasks.

4. Check the Gauge

H0 offers a large selection and clearly visible details. TT and N permit longer trains. H0e and H0m suit narrow gauge, while G gauge is suitable for large indoor and garden railways.

Before purchasing

Check the minimum radius, train length and electrical system.

From Z gauge to the garden railway

Choose Railway Companies by Gauge

Gauge Scale Particular Strength Suitable Railway Companies Planning Advice
Z 1:220 Long routes within a small area DB, SBB, FlixTrain, TRI and selected European railways Accurately laid track and reliable electrical pickup
N 1:160 Long passenger and freight trains DB, SBB, SNCF, METRANS, Railpool, FlixTrain, RailAdventure and TRI Ideal for main lines, terminals and large stations
TT 1:120 Compromise between detail and space requirements DR, DB, ČD, PKP, MÁV, RegioJet, METRANS, Railpool and FlixTrain Especially strong for German and Eastern European themes
H0 1:87 Largest selection and strong visible detail Almost all historic and modern railway companies Distinguish between two-rail DC and centre-contact AC
H0e / H0m / TTe 1:87 / 1:120 Narrow gauge and mountain railways SDG, RhB, MGB and selected DR and ÖBB railways Check the model gauge and prototype track gauge carefully
O / 1 1:45 / 1:32 Large individual models and shunting operation DB, DR, DRG, SBB, SNCF and selected private railways Short trains and modular layouts are usually practical
G / IIm approx. 1:22.5 Garden railways and large narrow-gauge models RhB, SDG, DR, ÖBB, RailAdventure and TRI Allow for large curves, coach lengths and vehicle weight
20 models from the new theme pages

Locomotives and Coaches Arranged by Gauge

The selection represents modern long-distance, freight, rental and specialist services. Manufacturer logos make navigation easier. Technical details and system versions are provided on the respective product pages.

H0 Gauge – Long-Distance, Freight, Rental and Specialist Trains

H0 offers the largest selection as well as models for two-rail and centre-contact layouts.

TT Gauge – Modern Railway Companies within a Compact Area

TT is particularly strong for German and Central European railway companies.

N Gauge – Long Trains within a Limited Area

N gauge permits prototypically long passenger, freight, rental and transfer trains.

Z and G Gauge – From the Smallest Scale to Large Scale

FlixTrain brings modern long-distance traffic to Z gauge, while RailAdventure provides a distinctive high-speed locomotive in G gauge.

Questions and easy-to-understand answers

Frequently Asked Questions About Model Railway Companies

Which Railway Company Offers the Largest Model Selection?

German railways such as DB, DR and DRG offer a particularly large selection in H0, TT and N. SBB and ÖBB are also strongly represented in several gauges. Modern private operators mainly extend the range for Era VI.

Can Several Railway Companies Be Combined on One Layout?

Yes. Border stations, international passenger trains, night trains and modern freight trains often connect several companies, provided the era, region and route are compatible.

What Is the Difference Between an Operator and a Wagon Keeper?

The operator runs the train service. A wagon keeper may own the freight wagons being used without operating the train itself.

Why Does a Locomotive Carry Several Company Logos?

A leasing company may own the locomotive while another railway company leases the vehicle and uses it for its own train services.

Which Railway Company Suits a Small Layout?

Regional railways using short multiple units and push-pull trains, as well as narrow-gauge railways, are especially suitable for compact layouts.

Which Railways Suit Long Modern Freight Trains?

TX Logistik, METRANS, ITL Captrain, EBS, PRESS, PKP Cargo and ČD Cargo provide suitable locomotive themes. Wagons from VTG, GATX and Wascosa complete modern freight formations.

Which Railway Company Suits an Alpine Layout?

SBB, BLS and ÖBB are suitable for standard-gauge Alpine routes. Metre-gauge mountain railways can be represented especially convincingly with the Rhaetian Railway and Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn.

Which Railway Companies Are Available for Narrow Gauge?

Particularly important examples include the SDG with its Saxon 750-millimetre railways, the metre-gauge Rhaetian Railway and Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn. DR and ÖBB provide further historic narrow-gauge vehicles.

Which New Railway Companies Have Been Added?

Detailed pages have been added for RegioJet, Railpool, TX Logistik, RailAdventure, FlixTrain, TRI Train Rental and METRANS. They particularly extend the overview of modern Era VI operations.

What Role Does the Era Play When Choosing Vehicles?

The era determines logos, colours, running numbers, vehicle designs and infrastructure. Historic vehicles can also operate in Era VI when they carry modern lettering or are used by companies such as TRI and RailAdventure.

Discover More Model Railway Guides

Topics covering gauges, eras, manufacturers, digital technology, layout construction, train formations and vehicle selection help you plan a coherent model railway.

Open the Main Guide