Top Model Train Stores in Germany

Miniatur Wonderland is in Hamburg and should not be missed.

Ive not gone looking for trains in any of those places, but if you end up in Munich (an easy day trip from Stuttgart):

Gleis 11 (Track 11) is pretty cool and its along the platform of the Hauptbahnhof.

Muller in the gate plaza to the old city is a general toy store that has a great plastic model and model train department downstairs.

You will see a lot of Marklin stuff anywhere you go (for obvious reasons). The only place Ive ever seen MTH stuff anywhere I've stopped in Europe, was Gleis 11 in Munich.

Be sure to check out Modellbahnen am Mierendorfplatz in Berlin.. there’s an U Bahn station nearby.  Mostly European HO, including Maerklin (of course ) but some decent vintage items as well… at least the last time I was there.  A google search for “Berlin modellbahnen” will give you some other options as well.

Same as here in U.S., not as many Model Train stores as there once was.

@Boilermaker1 posted:

Miniatur Wonderland is in Hamburg and should not be missed...

I will be in Hamburg next summer.  Have you been to Miniatur Wunderland, and if so, how much time would you suggest for enjoying it?

"All American Trains" in Kaarst advertises in the back of Model Railroader.  Judging by the name, I think we can guess what kind of equipment they sell.

I'm most familiar with the Munich stores, but near the center of Hamburg is Züge und mehr.

There are some farther out that I've not been to;  search "modelleisenbahn" in Google Maps or similar.

If you're a serious fan Miniatur Wunderland is worth 3-5 hours.

I forgot to mention:  Goeppingen is not far from Stuttgart — maybe 50km — and is home to Maerklin.  They have an interesting museum (the Maerklineum) worth visiting if you have time.

I've travelled the area extensively over the years,

In Stuttgart: Modelleisenbahn-Center W. Schüler Gmbh, Christophstr. 2, 70178 Stuttgart -  Ingrid Bitter is the owner and she speaks English well.

In Frankfurt: Modellbahn-Rhein-Main, Max-Planck-Straße 18, 63322 Rödermark (https://www.modellbahn-rhein-main.de/) has a large selection of second-hand trains. The shop is walking distance from “Rödermark-Ober Roden” station (just under 1 hour's travel time by S-Bahn from Frankfurt main station).

Darmstädter Modellbahnshop, Grafenstraße 14-16, 64283 Darmstadt (http://darmstaedter-modellbahnshop.de/) can be reached by public transport from Frankfurt Airport in 45 minutes.

MEDER, Berger Strasse 198, 60385 Frankfurt am Main (https://meder-frankfurt.mhi.de/) is located next to the Bornheim-Mitte subway station (line U4), 10 minutes from Frankfurt Central Station.

There are always train shows on weekends all over Germany. They typically are huge shows and great fun.

Hope this helps,

Ricky

You guys are bringing me back in time to my senior year in high school when I attended Schubert Gymnasium in Aalen (about 45 min east of Stuttgart).  Good memories, but unfortunately I can't remember any train stores.

-Greg 

Its not large but I found a nice model train store with everything from Z, TT, N, HO, O, G and Gauge 1 at the Munich Hauptbahnoff.  Its inside the station at the west end of Platform 11.  The name of the store is "Glies 11 GmbH" - literally right on the platform!

Thanks everyone! I unfortunately missed the ones in Munich. I had the Marklin store favorited, but missed going to it because timing didn't work.

When I'm in Hamburg, I'm definitely going to Minatur Wonderland and I'll hit up Zuge und Mehr!  I'm also finding just how much railroad history is in Germany. A few weeks ago, I went to Lockenwelt outside of Salzburg. It was an incredible German Railroad museum and had 2 great layouts (one HO and the other G). Where we're staying, there is a great small Railroad museum with a running steam loco that I'll be going to tomorrow.

I'll post some pictures soon!