Russian Wonderland

Very interesting, thanks for posting.  It does look like they were very inspired by Miniatur Wunderland, but it does have a Russian twist to it - including a bit of militarism.  The wooden churches were really cool, and the animated flock of chickens at the end was a nice touch.  The computerized staging tracks were impressive, and they did have a lot of train action.  Their modelmaker was especially nice.

Unbelievable. Great video.

Amazing. I was in St. Petersburg two years ago and I didn't know that existed.

I have been to Miniature Wonderland and a description is useless. You HAVE to see it.

Eliot

I am speechless, amazed and thankful you posted this. It brightened up my morning.

@ John23..the animated chicken, as well as the other animated figures are from Viessmann...sadly only available in HO..so far.

@ Scrapiron Sher...Until a few weeks ago I wasn't aware of this layout either...could not find when exactly it did open, but seem in the mid 2012...the 1st trip advisor review is from August 2012...that would be a good excuse to go back to visit St-Petersburg.

@ electroliner...agree, a nice change to the bickering and used cars lot sale type thread on the main forum

I think it would be pretty nice to have Ekaterina do the scenery on my layout.  She is very good at it.

Excellent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Absolutely superb in every respect!  I wonder if they offer DVDs of the layout, or even just this program?

Germany and Russia both have absolutely breathtaking layouts that beautifully highlight the major features and attractions of their respective nations.  Sure would like to see both in person some day.  I also would dearly love to see something like this done in the U.S., even if in HO scale as the other two are.

It was also nice to see folks working on the layout.  Heck, I even developed an instant attraction for that adorable model maker!  

I am simply awestruck at the beauty of this layout. Such detail in every aspect of it....

Wow! I wonder what the largest layout is in the US that is open to the public. Anyone know?

I'm sure she could do wonder on an 0 scale layout...size don't matter..

They don't seem to have an official DVD (yet..)...not even a souvenirs shop on their website @ www.grandmaket.ru/en/

They do have a Youtube channel...and there is some "amateurs" video on YT as well.

As to build a layout like this or Wunderland in the US or any countries...you need a couple of very passionate and dedicated people to start, with deep pocket and ready to spend 4-5 years of intensive planning, engineering and building with a staff of dozens..before you can even see the first $ in return.  That's would be the biggest challenge.

But sure it can be done..and glad that already some people made their dream come true (without thinking to much at the $ sign) to offer us some dream layout/ model to be Wowed.

Looking forward to the next big one. (that would be the Miniatur Tirolerland in Vienna/ Austria..opening at the end of this year)

And here is another well done video of the creation of the Russian Wonderland..and yup Yekaterina can be seen again..for a short time

Thanks for posting a link to that second video.  The technology involved in creating the action elements of this display is truly fascinating.

WOW! Great stuff. I love the chickens, and bet it would not be too hard to do this (thin, strong lines to the chickens, and a motorized cam under the layout). Also impressed with the cars, etc traveling on the roads, as well as the detail on these small figures.

My wife and I had considered a river cruise between St.Petersburg and Moscow, but did other ones instead...perhaps now I have a deciding reason to go.

Thank you LaFondue, thank you.

Wonderful! The animated vehicles are amazing! Thanks for posting the vids!

It looked like an ALCO RS-3 at 15:15 on the turntable.  I heard that the Russian Railways had copied them.

Lafondue, you come up with some very interesting posts!   Thank you. 

That is fantastic, thanks for bringing it to us.

Very cool video! After seeing this and the German layout, on my next layout (if ever) I am going to work in operating roads.

ncng

Oh man, that is seriously cool.  I used up nearly an hour watching it - some portions over and over.  

Animated chickens - animated CPR - I love it!

Yes they did...During WW2, the US, under the Lend Lease program, sent 70 Alco RSD1 (RS-1 with 6 axles) to Russia, who then used them as model to built later their own (mid 50's) version under the designation Tem1, Tem2, Tem3....

Going back to the layout...did spot a couple of Swiss Ae 6/6 running and some modern German Electric as well...not possible in real, as Russia use the Russian Gauge (5ft) and not the standard gauge. Do understand why, as very few HO model of Russian engine are being made (Roco and Piko have a couple)..seem they also kitbash some Bachmann China model.

 A nicely restaured 1st version, TEM 1...does have a nice Alco RS look

 Second version, TEM2, now in service for DB Shenker Polska (Poland)

And a brand new version, TEM18, in the current Russian Railways scheme.

In the beginning the Army train was heading to the naval base. It was heading to Finland and Ukraine. 

Unfortunately the pictures won't show for me - getting a "image not found" message.