MEC Aachen e.V.
Aachen · North Rhine-Westphalia
Model railways can achieve more together
Model Railway Clubs in Germany | Clubs by Postcode & Region
Find model railway clubs in Germany, meet other enthusiasts and discover shared layout building, digital operation, scenery construction, vehicle maintenance and realistic railway operation from Z gauge to garden railways.
Model railways can achieve more together
What Does a Model Railway Club Offer?
Model Railway Clubs in Germany | Clubs by Postcode & Region brings together railway modellers who do not only want to operate trains at home but also want to plan, build, digitise and design layouts together and present them at exhibitions.
Different areas of expertise come together within a club: electronics, woodworking, landscape construction, vehicle technology, digital control and prototype-oriented railway operation complement one another.
A model railway club may operate a permanently installed club layout, build transportable modules or have several working groups for different gauges.
Some members may be particularly interested in historic vehicles, while others focus on modern digital technology, timetable operation, building construction, narrow gauge or garden railways. This mixture makes a club interesting for beginners and experienced model builders alike.
The major advantage is the shared project. An extensive station, a large hidden staging yard or long modular routes can be realised differently by several people than on a small home layout.
Clubs may also share specialist tools, knowledge about different track systems and experience with repairs, decoder questions and technical troubleshooting.
When looking for a club, distance should not be the only factor. The gauge, layout concept, electrical system, digital technology, frequency of meetings and atmosphere at club evenings are also important. Visiting a club personally before joining is usually the best way to find out how it actually builds and operates.
Existing club directory restructured
Find a Model Railway Club by Postcode and Federal State
The following list contains the club addresses currently maintained by Modellbahnshop. Filter the list by federal state, postcode or club name. Before visiting, check the individual club website because meeting times, exhibitions and club premises can change.
Filter the Club Directory
22 clubs in the Modellbahnshop selection.
| Postcode | Club | Federal State | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01099 | Minibahnclub Dresden e.V. | Saxony | Open Club → |
| 03042 | Eisenbahnclub Spreewaldbahn Cottbus e.V. | Brandenburg | Open Club → |
| 04463 | Freunde der Eisenbahn Großpösna e.V. | Saxony | Open Club → |
| 04552 | Bornaer Modellbahnverein e.V. | Saxony | Open Club → |
| 06502 | Modellbahnclub Thale/Harz e.V. | Saxony-Anhalt | Open Club → |
| 06886 | Modellbahnclub Lutherstadt Wittenberg e.V. | Saxony-Anhalt | Open Club → |
| 08056 | Modellbahnclub Zwickau e.V. | Saxony | Open Club → |
| 08459 | Modellbahnfreunde Neukirchen e.V. | Saxony | Open Club → |
| 09113 | Modellbahnclub Chemnitz-Rottluff e.V. | Saxony | Open Club → |
| 16540 | MEC Oranienburg 1964 e.V. | Brandenburg | Open Club → |
| 19061 | Schweriner Modellbahnclub e.V. | Mecklenburg-Vorpommern | Open Club → |
| 23966 | Modelleisenbahn-Club Wismar e.V. | Mecklenburg-Vorpommern | Open Club → |
| 31535 | Modelleisenbahnclub Neustadt a. Rbge. e.V. | Lower Saxony | Open Club → |
| 39179 | Barleber Modellbahnverein e.V. | Saxony-Anhalt | Open Club → |
| 50126 | Modelleisenbahn-Club Bergheim (Erft) e.V. | North Rhine-Westphalia | Open Club → |
| 60386 | Modellbahnfreunde Riederwald | Hesse | Open Club → |
| 63110 | HEB Hobbyeisenbahner 1983 e.V. | Hesse | Open Club → |
| 78476 | Eisenbahn-Freunde Allensbach e.V. | Baden-Württemberg | Open Club → |
| 86156 | 1. Modellbahn-Club Augsburg e.V. | Bavaria | Open Club → |
| 88045 | PMC-Bodensee e.V. | Baden-Württemberg | Open Club → |
| 93059 | Modelleisenbahnclub Regensburg e.V. | Bavaria | Open Club → |
| 99086 | Eisenbahnclub Erfurt 1965 e.V. | Thuringia | Open Club → |
22 clubs in the Modellbahnshop selection. Club and link check: 11 August 2026.
Continue searching throughout Germany
Open BDEF Directory
Find More Model Railway Clubs Through the BDEF
The Modellbahnshop list is a selection. If you have not yet found a suitable club in your region, you can additionally search the current membership directory of the Bundesverband Deutscher Eisenbahn-Freunde (BDEF). It contains numerous railway and model railway associations together with their towns and websites.
Modell-Eisenbahn-Klub Berlin 1932 e.V.
Berlin
Modell-Eisenbahn-Club Bremen e.V.
Bremen
Modelleisenbahn-Club Hamburg e.V.
Hamburg
Modellbahn- und Eisenbahnfreunde Karlsruhe e.V.
Karlsruhe · Baden-Württemberg
Modelleisenbahnclub München e.V.
Munich · Bavaria
Modelleisenbahnclub Stuttgart e.V.
Stuttgart · Baden-Württemberg
Search the Complete BDEF Membership Directory
Use the BDEF directory to find additional railway and model railway associations throughout Germany.
Is Your Model Railway Club Missing?
Clubs can send Modellbahnshop their club name, location, website and a short description so that this directory can gradually be expanded with further active associations.
Choosing the right club
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How Do I Find the Right Model Railway Club?
Visit a Club Evening
First Contact
Atmosphere matters more than a long equipment list
Meet the members and see the club rooms in person. Ask when construction work takes place, when trains are operated and whether interested visitors can attend a meeting without making an immediate commitment.
Check the Gauge and System
Technical Basis
H0 alone does not tell you everything
In H0, both two-rail and centre-contact systems may be relevant. The digital protocol, couplings, wheelsets and existing module standards are also important if you want to use your own vehicles.
Compare Your Own Interests
Club Profile
Operating, building or prototype research?
Some modellers prefer landscape construction, others programme electronics or organise prototype-oriented timetable operation. A good club offers room for different interests and skills.
Understand the Club Layout
Layout Concept
Permanent layout or transportable modules
Modules are especially useful for shared exhibitions and long routes. A permanently installed layout can instead accommodate complex scenery, large hidden staging yards and permanently installed technology.
Ask About Fees and Rules
Organisation
Every club decides for itself
Membership fees, required working hours, key regulations, youth rates and rules for using private vehicles differ between clubs. Ask to see the statutes and practical club rules.
Visit an Exhibition
Public Operation
Experience the club layout in action
Open days and model railway exhibitions are an excellent way to see how a club organises itself and which construction and operating priorities are actually maintained.
Realising larger projects together
What Makes a Club Layout Special?
A club layout has to meet several requirements at the same time. It must operate reliably, provide useful work for several members, allow future expansion and perform consistently during public operating days. Good planning and documentation are therefore particularly important.
Track Construction
Shared Standards
Radii, transitions and module boundaries
Consistent track geometry, precisely defined module transitions and reliable electrical feeds prevent problems when layouts are assembled.
Digital Operation
Multiple Operators
Organise addresses and responsibilities
Large club layouts benefit from clear rules for locomotive addresses, handheld controllers, booster sections, feedback modules and routes.
Workshop
Precision Work
Share specialist tools sensibly
A soldering station, measuring equipment, cutting tools and safe work surfaces support repairs, layout construction and vehicle conversions.
Documentation
Preserve Knowledge
Maintain wiring diagrams and module plans
Labelled cables, current wiring diagrams and documented modifications also help members who did not personally construct a particular section of the layout.
From compact modules to garden railways
Which Gauges Are Used in Model Railway Clubs?
| Gauge | Scale | Strength in Club Operation |
|---|---|---|
| Z | 1:220 | Long routes on compact modules and extremely space-efficient construction. |
| N | 1:160 | Large stations and long train runs with comparatively shallow modules. |
| TT | 1:120 | A useful compromise between space requirements, train length and visible detail. |
| H0 | 1:87 | Very wide choice of vehicles, track systems, digital technology and accessories. |
| H0e / H0m | 1:87 | Narrow-gauge, mountain railway, heritage railway and regional specialist themes. |
| 0 / 0e | Approx. 1:45 | Large vehicles, intensive shunting and detailed vehicle construction. |
| 1 | 1:32 | Large models with highly visible vehicle and operating details. |
| G / IIm | Often 1:22.5 | Large-scale and garden railways with robust exhibition and outdoor layouts. |
Passing knowledge to the next generation
Beginners, Children and Young People in Model Railway Clubs
Clubs are particularly valuable when knowledge is not restricted to one generation. Model railways combine woodworking, landscape construction, electronics, planning, history and digital technology.
Small club projects provide a practical introduction without requiring beginners to own a complete layout immediately.
The BDEF also supports youth activities. For schools, model railway working groups are another useful option because practical tasks such as laying track, building structures, wiring or scenery construction can be divided into manageable projects.
Anyone starting from scratch can find the basics of space, gauge, power systems, analogue and digital operation and starter sets in the Model Railways for Beginners guide . A club adds practical experience and personal support.
Brands for club and modular layouts
Manufacturer Worlds at Modellbahnshop
Different clubs use different systems. Before purchasing equipment for a club layout, always coordinate the existing gauge, track system and digital technology.
From youth projects to large club layouts
Open Modellbahnshop
Products for Shared Model Railway Projects
A systematic shopping list is particularly useful for club projects. Track and digital equipment must be compatible, specialist tools can be shared and starter sets are well suited to manageable beginner and youth projects.
Märklin · H0 Digital
29890 Digital Starter Pack
Compact foundation for railway operation, digital control and first club or youth projects.
View Product →
Roco · Digital
10835 Z21 multiMAUS
Handheld controller for digital layouts and multiple-operator operation with compatible Z21 system components.
View Product →
PIKO · H0 Track Construction
55201 A-Track G231
Example of a systematically expandable H0 track system for routes, fixed layouts and modular construction.
View Product →
NOCH · Workshop
60050 Special Tool Set
Basic workshop equipment for cutting, filing, drilling, modelling and other typical model-building tasks.
View Product →Starter Kits
Coordinated components for beginner, youth and test projects.
Tracks
Straight, curved and flexible track for permanent layouts and modular construction.
Digital Technology
Command stations, decoders, boosters, feedback modules and switching electronics.
Tools
Equipment for cutting, measuring, soldering, drilling and precise model-building work.
Layout Design
Buildings, scenery, figures and details for shared construction sections.
Track Cleaning
Cleaning vehicles and equipment for reliable operation on large and frequently used club layouts.
Browse the Current Shop Range
Product availability changes continuously. Use the linked English shop categories to filter current products by project area, gauge, manufacturer and product name.
Experience more together
Club Life, Exhibitions and the Model Railway Community
Model Railway Experience Worlds
Visit large exhibition layouts and collect ideas for your own club and modular projects.
Discover Experience Worlds →Model Railway Clubs at Schools
Discover model railways as a shared school and youth project combining technology, creativity and teamwork.
Discover School Projects →Model-Making Fairs
Experience club layouts, manufacturers, new products and personal exchange at exhibitions and trade fairs.
Discover Model-Making Fairs →Model Railway YouTubers
Discover layout construction, club projects, railway operation and model railway technology in video form.
Discover YouTube Channels →
Frequently asked questions about club life
FAQ About Model Railway Clubs
How Do I Find a Model Railway Club Near Me?
Use the postcode and federal-state filters on this page. If the Modellbahnshop selection does not contain a suitable club in your area, the BDEF membership directory provides additional railway and model railway associations organised by location.
Can I Join a Model Railway Club as a Beginner?
Yes. Beginners can benefit particularly from practical knowledge and experience within a club. Ask the club about a regular meeting, trial visit or a suitable first building project.
Which Gauges Are Used in Model Railway Clubs?
This depends on the individual club. Possible gauges include Z, N, TT, H0, H0e, H0m, gauge 0, gauge 1 and G. Some clubs operate several layouts or separate working groups.
Can I Run My Own Locomotives at the Club?
Often yes, provided that the vehicle, gauge, wheelsets, electrical system and digital technology are compatible with the club layout. Ask about the club's technical standards before operating your own models.
How Much Does Membership in a Model Railway Club Cost?
Every club sets its own membership fees. Different regulations may also apply to young people, families or required working hours. Binding information is available directly from the respective club.
What Is a Club Layout?
A club layout is planned and built collectively. It can be permanently installed in a clubhouse or consist of transportable modules that are assembled for exhibitions and shared operating days.
Are There Model Railway Clubs with Youth Activities?
Yes. Various clubs and associations actively support younger members. Ask specifically about youth groups, hands-on projects or supervised building days.
What Should I Bring to My First Club Visit?
Interest in the hobby is enough for a first visit. You do not need to bring your own vehicles immediately. First become familiar with the layout, members, gauge and technical systems.
Model Railways Become Even More Versatile Together
From a first small landscape module to a large digitally controlled club layout, a model railway club combines experience, workshop facilities, train operation and shared construction. Find a club in your region or continue with the complete Modellbahnshop model railway guide.
Club and link check: 11 August 2026