Hamburger land

Hamburg is not only famous for its population of 1.7
million Hamburgers but also for the famous Miniature Wonderland. I had seen
this amazing place on you-tube and wanted to see it for myself.

M. Wonderland was created in one of the large warehouse buildings
in the Hamburg harbour district where these days it is rather busy as most
buildings have been converted to entertaining and housing areas.

The area now looks attractive as the buildings have been
restored. The slippery train tracks and cobblestones have made way for smooth
bitumen roads, pedestrian crossings and traffic lights.

Miniature Wonderland is built on a 1:87 scale (most
popular model railroad scale) and is the largest of its kind in the world. It
now measures over 7500 m2 of space and is located on two floors. Part of the
scenery (Switzerland) take in two floors at the same time as the some mountains
are 6 meters high.

The model display area is around 1700 m2 with other
section under construction. Not much is hidden from view. The control room can
be visited and you can wonder (behind plastic glass) through the workshop,
modelling area, electrical dept, repair workshops, test benches areas etc)

There is around 15 km of railway track; some are
connected to other areas others stay in their own “country” area. Wondering
through, you walk from Switzerland to Austria and up the steps to the USA, than
back to England and a host of other countries. The longest train measures 14.5
meters; and talking about trains, they run about 1000 locomotives pulling a
total of 17.000 carriages. Stations, Stadiums, Pop Festivals, Airports buildings
and Roads are filled with over 250.000 people. 9000 cars are displayed with a
large percentage continually on the move. The place is so large and so detailed
that it is hard to comprehend it all.

In 2013 they started an area (Italy) which will be ready
in 2016! 250 people are employed at
Miniature Wonderland. Over 50 computers make sure that everything runs smooth
and on time; every 15 minutes night falls, then 400.000 lights are switched on.


One of the most amazing areas is the full scale airport, all highly detailed
from the car parks to the waiting, baggage handling areas to the apron where the
planes are re-fuelled. Large and small aircraft taxi away to/from the runway
and take off/land every minute. Sound of take/landing and taxiing aircraft is
heard through multiple speakers around the viewing area. After landing, the
planes taxi to the terminal; In the distance service trucks drive along the
lines roads and arrive at their destination to fuel the plane or deliver
catering supplies.



Over a million
visitors come to see this place which comes down to 3000 or more a day in
summertime. The website shows which visiting times are available and advise to
book in advance via their website which then gives you your starting time(after
that you can stay as long as you like, even until closing time at 00.00 hours. As
for me I was given a ticket which showed a number and approx. time of entry. A
well worked out system as it keeps the numbers down to acceptable levels. After
5 hours I had enough, I skipped the USA because it would add at least another
hour and a half. I was exhausted when I left and glad I could ride my m/c back
to my accommodation.
Make sure you have a look via at this link and be amazed

www.youtube.com/miwulatv