Before the Toy Fair in Nuremberg began (as shown in my previous article) I had some time to visit the Nuremberg Transport Museum, which is just down the road from Nuremberg main railway station. The museum covers the history of German railways and has an extensive collection of model railway products. The museum also has an impressive Fleischmann HO layout built in around 1960.
Firstly, when you walk in you're presented with a selection of lovely models from the early period of Germany railway history. The model above looks like something I have never seen before. The centre wheel confused me so if you know what it is, you are welcome to contact us!
Also on display was a model of Stephenson's Rocket originally built in 1829 - which Hornby are producing this year. I wonder if this one is DCC ready?
Once you move onto the main display of the museum, they have unique selection of German rolling stock. One item on display is the German Royal carriage owned by King Ludwig II of Bavaria. King Ludwig only lived for 40 years as according to the records, but this carriage is something to behold. Marklin have produced models of this coach in the past, but they are now going for high numbers on auction sites. I wonder if they will ever do it again?
Der Adler ("The Eagle") was the first locomotive that was successfully used commercially for the rail transport of passengers and goods in Germany. Like the rocket it was designed by Robert Stephenson and ran between Nuremberg and Fürth. The model on display, however, was a replica as the original was scrapped. This model was built in around 1930 for the Museum.
When I moved on, I was able to find the Fleischmann layout I mentioned earlier. The model is controlled by 5000 relays controlling points, signals and track sections. The layout runs every hour, but when I visited I didn't know this! So, I missed any running which was unfortunate. The layout is controlled by a signal system that would have be used in German signal boxes of the time and is probably one of the most impressive layouts I have ever seen. I do have a feeling I have visited this layout in the past but as I am writing this article in Germany I will have to check with my parents when I get back to the UK!
Upstairs the museum has an area for children, but one impressive thing was a group of working German signals. I couldn't not have a go! They also had LGB track and wagons for the kids to play with, as well as a sit-on train ride going around the area.
Finally, outside they have a second storage yard connected to the main line. In the siding they have some old coaches on display and some impressive locomotives including a DB class 103 and a BR 05 streamline locomotive which Marklin produced as an insider model in the past.
So this concluded my trip to the museum. It was an enjoyable experience and if you are in the area worth a visit. I would always recommend Nuremberg as a place to visit and it's always enjoyable when the fair is on - it is a good mix of a historic town in a modern environment.
MATT TAYLOR visits this German railway museum.