Amazing, Huge Modelling project

Hi Folks
Recently came across this which is likely familiar to many of you already.
Main site is:
http://www.miniatur-wunderland.com/   in both German and English.

The model railway is housed in something like and old industrial warehouse not unlike the thousands we have in the UK and appears to have several floors devoted to different countries (UK level is yet to be constructed). They have even built an airport with a fully functioning timetable of take-offs and landings!

There's a mass of videos on the site and on YouTube.
The video blog by the main man Gerrit is interesting and most have been subtitled in English. The latest mentions the model of Vesuvius and work on their Italian railway but unfortunately not yet in English!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5-svIxWKBQ&list=PL5F525544A3296EEB&index=52

The project is fascinating as it combines great technology, an entrepreneurial spirit and creative engineering with a fantastic vision and enthusiasm. It's large staff are mainly young and the centre boasts a million visitors a year which would be the envy of any of our heritage railways in the UK!

They are currently working on a new floor dedicated to Italy which has it's own web pages although only in German. fascinating as they show the development of their plans and construction in some detail. Although I don't know German I still found the video's worth watching. For example have a look at this which shows track laying of a (huge) computer design at a pretty slick rate of knots!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_89jSqa5tc

I've certainly added Hamburg to the list of places I want to visit!
Ray

It is indeed an amazing place Ray. :thumbs

You need a minimum of 2 to 3 hours just to see it all, never mind spending time studying it in any depth.  As you say, interesting that a model railway, huge though it is, can attract 1 million visitors.  Many, many more than any preserved railway could ever hope for.  Just shows what great hobby this is. thumbsthumbs  When they first set it up, they spent 1 euro per visitor on building it - borrowed from a very brave bank manager - but didn't expect it to be this popular.  They now have one very happy bank manager …………………

Have a look at this then
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-14/google-street-view-scales-down-to-map-miniatur-wunderland/7087948

Is nowhere safe, Google are watching you everywhere nowadays