Model railways combine trains, technology, railway history, layout construction and creative scenery design in one miniature world. Discover gauges from Z to G, analogue and digital systems, railway eras, companies, manufacturers, track, vehicles and suitable products for starting, expanding or collecting.
A model railway reproduces real railways at a defined scale. The miniature world includes not only locomotives and rolling stock, but also track, stations, signals, bridges, tunnels, roads, landscapes, buildings, figures and realistic operating procedures.
The hobby can focus on train operation, prototype accuracy, layout construction, digital technology, scenery or the collection of selected vehicles. These areas can be combined or developed gradually.
In German, the standard spelling is Modelleisenbahn as one compound word. Modellbahn is a common shorter term. The separated form “Modell Eisenbahn” mainly appears in search queries rather than standard German spelling.
Unlike a simple toy train, a traditional model railway generally follows established scales, technical standards and identifiable railway prototypes. Vehicles use compatible couplings, wheelsets and electrical systems, while track follows a defined model gauge.
The first railway does not have to be completely prototypical. Many layouts begin with a starter kit , a simple oval and a few vehicles. A station, siding, turnouts, scenery and digital functions can be added later.
A complete layout develops from several coordinated product groups. Vehicles create movement, track defines the operation and buildings and scenery create the visible environment.
Steam, diesel and electric locomotives, multiple units, railbuses, trams and shunting locomotives form the centre of train operation.
Gauge, electrical system, minimum radius, railway era and operating company must match the layout.
Passenger coaches, double-deck cars, sleeping cars, tank wagons, container wagons and open or covered freight wagons form complete train sets.
Rolling stock should match the locomotive in era, coupling, electrical requirements and prototype operation.
Track with or without an integrated roadbed, flexible track, turnouts, crossings, turntables and helixes determine the route and operating possibilities.
Compare radii, rail height, turnout geometry and available expansion pieces before selecting a system.
Controllers, digital command stations, locomotive and sound decoders, boosters, feedback modules and switching modules control trains and layout functions.
Command station, protocol, decoder, interface and electrical system must work together.
Mountains, rocks, forests, meadows, water, roads and fields connect the railway sections to form a believable miniature environment.
Substructure, terrain shape, colour, ground materials, vegetation and fine details are applied step by step.
Stations, signal boxes, engine sheds, houses, factories, platforms and figures establish the theme and geographical character of the layout.
Architecture, road vehicles, signals and figures should suit the selected period and model scale.
Making decisions in the correct order prevents incompatible purchases and inaccessible track. Begin with the available room before choosing the gauge, system or vehicles.
Record the room, table, shelf or module area together with operating aisles and maximum safe reach depth.
Open the Planning Guide →Compare the model size, possible radii, train length and available product range.
Find the Right Gauge →Decide between analogue and digital control and, in H0, between two-rail and centre-contact operation.
Compare the Systems →Draw the station, turnouts, curves, sidings and future expansion options.
Select a Track System →Plan track bases, power feeds, cable routes and maintenance openings before building the scenery.
Open Railway Construction →Test the longest coaches, most sensitive locomotives, turnouts and gradients extensively.
Open Troubleshooting Help →Add terrain, buildings, roads and vegetation in accessible and maintainable sections.
Explore Layout Design →Combine vehicles, buildings, road traffic and railway companies into a coherent overall scene.
Select a Railway Era →The nominal size defines the scale of the miniature world. The model gauge is the distance between the rails. Smaller sizes permit longer routes within a compact area, while larger scales provide greater visual detail.
Scale 1:220 with a model track gauge of 6.5 mm. Particularly compact for small layouts and long routes in limited space.
Discover Z Gauge →Scale 1:160 with a 9 mm track gauge. Suitable for long trains, large stations and extensive scenery on a limited base.
Discover N Gauge →Scale 1:120 with a 12 mm track gauge. A balanced compromise between space saving, train length and visible detail.
Discover TT Gauge →Scale 1:87 with a 16.5 mm track gauge. Offers an exceptionally large range of vehicles, track systems and accessories.
Discover H0 Gauge →Approximately 1:64 with a 22.5 mm track gauge. Larger, easy-to-see models, although less common in continental Europe.
Compare the Gauges →Usually scale 1:45 with a 32 mm track gauge. Large models suitable for modules, shunting layouts and wall projects.
Discover 0 Gauge →Scale 1:32 with a 45 mm track gauge. Impressive vehicles with clearly visible technology and substantial space requirements.
Discover Gauge 1 →Large railway worlds for gardens and spacious indoor areas. G and IIm often use 45 mm track at scales around 1:22.5.
Discover G Gauge →| Nominal Size | Typical Scale | Model Track Gauge | Particular Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| Z | 1:220 | 6.5 mm | Very compact miniature and presentation layouts |
| N | 1:160 | 9 mm | Long trains and extensive scenery |
| TT | 1:120 | 12 mm | Balanced relationship between size and space |
| H0 | 1:87 | 16.5 mm | Very large selection and easy handling |
| S | 1:64 | 22.5 mm | Large models, less common in Europe |
| 0 | 1:45 | 32 mm | Shunting layouts, modules and display projects |
| 1 / I | 1:32 | 45 mm | Large models with visible vehicle technology |
| II | 1:22.5 | 64 mm | Very large standard-gauge models |
| G / IIm | Often around 1:22.5 | 45 mm | Robust garden and narrow-gauge railways |
Analogue and digital describe how trains and functions are controlled. Two-rail and centre-contact describe the electrical construction of the track system. These decisions must be considered separately.
In analogue operation, the controller changes the voltage in the track section. Every vehicle in the same electrical section responds together.
In digital operation, each locomotive has an address. Several vehicles can be controlled independently on the same track. Lighting, sound, shunting mode, couplings, turnouts and feedback modules can be included.
In a two-rail system, the two running rails carry different electrical poles. Vehicles require appropriately insulated wheelsets. This system is used by many international H0 brands.
A centre-contact system uses an additional contact in the centre of the track and a pickup shoe below the locomotive. The two running rails form the common return conductor. This principle is particularly associated with Märklin H0.
Railway eras divide history into characteristic periods. They help coordinate locomotives, rolling stock, buildings, signals, road vehicles, lettering and railway companies. The dates below provide a general orientation for German prototypes.
Regionally different companies, liveries, vehicle designs and early railway infrastructure.
Standardised locomotives, classic express trains and the expansion of a unified railway system.
Steam, diesel and electric traction during reconstruction and the early modernisation of railway operation.
New numbering systems, modern rolling stock and the decline of regular steam operation.
New colour schemes, expanding private railway companies and modern European passenger and freight operation.
Modern long-distance services, multi-system locomotives and increasingly international freight traffic.
Open a complete product category or filter the selected examples by starter sets, vehicles, technology and scenery. Product cards do not make any statement about current availability.
16 product examples displayed
Locomotive, three freight wagons, roadbed track and control equipment form a coordinated introduction.
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Two trains, roadbed track, turnouts and wireless digital control provide varied operation from the beginning.
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Modern regional train, digital functions and a compact N-gauge track arrangement.
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Digital H0 starter package with C Track, Mobile Station and modern passenger-train equipment.
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Sound-equipped DR steam locomotive for branch-line and Era III scenes.
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Distinctive DR express steam locomotive for TT gauge and Era IV operation.
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Two-car set with control car for contemporary DB AG regional passenger services.
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Distinctively decorated freight wagon for modern special trains and model railway collections.
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Control panel and electric motors for expanding an H0 track layout with remotely operated turnouts.
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Electrically driven TT turntable for engine sheds, locomotive depots and operational scenes.
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Central control system for locomotives, turnouts and model railway functions using several digital protocols.
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Functional wagon for regular maintenance of heavily used H0 track sections.
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Large grass mat for meadows, embankments, dioramas and broad landscape areas.
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Compact historic station for branch-line routes and smaller H0 layouts.
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Extensive TT building set for a station, freight area and regional railway scene.
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Warm-white street and station lighting for atmospheric evening scenes.
View Product →The original manufacturer logos link directly to the corresponding English brand pages. Full-range manufacturers combine vehicles, track and control systems, while specialist brands focus on narrow gauge, digital technology, buildings, lighting or scenery.
Explore individual topics in greater depth or collect inspiration from exhibition layouts, railway companies, technical guides and maintenance advice.
Select the available space, gauge, control, starter set and first layout in the correct order.
Open the Beginner Path →Compare track systems by manufacturer, gauge, integrated roadbed and intended use.
Open the Track Worlds →Understand interfaces, locomotive decoders, sound, programming and common installation problems.
Open Decoder Help →Discover exhibition layouts and miniature worlds as inspiration for your own projects.
Discover Experience Worlds →Explore DB, DR, SBB, ÖBB, RhB, SNCF and other European railway worlds.
Discover Railway Companies →Find brands for vehicles, track, digital control, buildings, scenery and specialist technology.
Find Manufacturers →Investigate contact problems, irregular locomotive operation, dirty track and decoder faults systematically.
Open Repair Guidance →Explore all topics from starting and planning to layout building, digital technology, prototypes and maintenance.
Open the Main Guide →These answers support the most important decisions before starting or expanding a model railway.
The standard German spelling is “Modelleisenbahn” as one compound word. “Modellbahn” is a common shorter form. The separated form “Modell Eisenbahn” mainly appears in search queries.
H0 provides a very large selection and clearly visible details. TT saves more space, while N permits long trains within a compact area. The actual room remains the decisive factor.
The minimum equipment consists of a locomotive or multiple unit, rolling stock, track, power supply and a suitable controller. A starter set combines these components in one coordinated package.
Analogue control is suitable for simple operation with a small number of trains. Digital control is useful for operating several locomotives independently and using lighting, sound or switching functions.
H0 DC generally uses a two-rail track system. H0 AC commonly describes the centre-contact system with a pickup shoe. Vehicles must be selected in the correct system version.
The required area depends on the gauge, curve radii, train length and layout form. N and TT provide more route within a small area. H0, 0, 1 and G require progressively larger radii.
Buildings, scenery and figures can usually be mixed. Track, vehicles, wheelsets, couplings and digital technology require checks for gauge, electrical system and technical compatibility.
An era assigns vehicles and scenery to a historical period. This helps combine suitable locomotives, rolling stock, buildings, signals and road vehicles.
Both use the 1:87 scale but narrower track than standard H0. H0m generally represents metre-gauge railways, while H0e models typical narrow-gauge prototypes around 750 to 800 mm.
Yes. Robust starter sets and a simple track plan are suitable. Age information, small parts, power supplies and the manufacturer’s safety instructions must always be observed.
Build permanent scenery only after track, turnouts, power feeds and the longest vehicles have been tested reliably. Hidden sections must remain accessible afterwards.
Yes. Additional track, turnouts, vehicles, decoders, buildings and scenery can be added gradually. A widely available track system and a clear system decision make expansion easier.
Select the gauge, technical system and layout theme according to the available space, then explore track building, digital control, scenery and realistic operation in the complete guide.
Editorially reviewed and updated on 31 July 2026. Scales and model track gauges follow common European model railway standards. Technical compatibility, product specifications and manufacturer instructions must be checked for each individual item.