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  • For 10 years now, the world's largest model railway

  • can be found in Hamburg's historic warehouse district

  • - a mammoth miniature project.

  • It took 500.000 working hours to create this

  • incredible miniature world on 1.300m².

  • The city's most popular tourist attraction fascinates

  • over one million people a year.

  • And it's continually growing!

  • Eight different sections, connected by 13 km of track installation,

  • provide an unforgettable experience for all ages.

  • Tons of steel, wood and plaster form the foundation of this extraordinary exhibition.

  • The journey leads through Scandinavia to Germany,

  • from Austria to Switzerland

  • and far away to America in just a few moments.

  • Each day, 900 trains with 12.000 wagons travel

  • a distance of several hundred kilometres.

  • The longest train is 14.51 metres long.

  • On the North East Sea, with a water capacity of 30.000 litres,

  • large and small ships are cruising.

  • In Scandinavia,

  • America,

  • at the airport

  • and in the cosy fictional town of Knuffingen,

  • 250 computer-controlled vehicles are on the move.

  • Special attractions are the fire runs, controlled by a sophisticated software.

  • The fire brigades are constantly engaged in fire fighting procedures.

  • But the police are also busy tracking down traffic offenders.

  • The newest attraction of the Miniatur Wunderland is the "Knuffingen Airport".

  • After six years of development and a cost of 3.5 million Euro,

  • the world's probably smallest commercial airport opened in May 2011

  • On 150 square metres, with more than 40 airplanes and the ground staff that goes with it,

  • it may be the world's most advanced flight simulation.

  • From the technology hangar to the air terminal

  • every little detail has been faithfully recreated.

  • Without a doubt, the attention to detail is at the heart of the layout.

  • Over 200.000 figures show life in all its facets.

  • It's a world where the law chases criminals

  • and where some don't really care.

  • Where the fire department puts out a large fire

  • and a new fire starts not too far away.

  • Funeral oration

  • or celebration,

  • Eat

  • or be eaten,

  • Travelers from this

  • or another world,

  • Imagination knows no bounds in the the Wunderland.

  • There are fire-breathers,

  • travelling animals

  • and surprisingly strong girls

  • - in a world alternating between hectic

  • and peaceful,

  • between wild animals

  • - and some that were already tamed,

  • there are hunters

  • - and some just hunting for the best pictures,

  • there are holy sanctuaries,

  • and some not quite so holy,

  • there are people bursting with life,

  • and some not so much

  • The Wunderland is absolutely diverse and unique.

  • Travel from the highest mountain with over six meters...

  • over dreamy streets to the Grand Canyon

  • snow-covered landscapes

  • through idyllic villages

  • to below the surface of the earth.

  • In the Miniatur Wunderland, a day lasts 15 minutes.

  • At dusk, over 300.000 LEDs ensure

  • that the layout shines in a captivating light.

  • Then, the night life of the various regions really becomes visible.

  • And amidst all this, more hidden stories emerge

  • at the push of a button.

  • There are over 200 push-button actions spread across the edge of the layout,

  • where the visitors can actively participate in various forms.

  • For example, in a sweet way, at the chocolate factory,

  • or in the daily struggle with the pitfalls of technology,

  • or in the creation of life,

  • or with a bit too much craftsmanship.

  • The technology behind it all is monitored by human eyes

  • from a control console and with the help of more than 40 computers.

  • These are controlled by a complex, self-developed software.

  • The Miniatur Wunderland is internationally well known through more than 1.000 TV-Reports

  • The 260 people on the Wunderland team are never short on new ideas.

  • Until 2020, there will be new sections covering France, Italy, England and parts of Africa

  • and who knows what's next.

  • But there's no end in sight.

  • To convey this marvel in five minutes - impossible!

  • Just come by and see for yourself.

  • You will be amazed!

For 10 years now, the world's largest model railway

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