Z-display in Märklin Stand

Z-scale was not very prominently presented in Märklin stand. The new digital system and Trix seemed to get the most attention and occupy most space there.

Märklin Layout 1

Märklin's "high-tech" layout made of plexiglass was in the show for the nth time. Can you say boring?

Märklin Layout 2

This one is also familiar from several other shows before. It is starting to show age. A bit dusty and cracks here and there. Trains were derailing frequently but this may have been more due to excessive train speeds.

Märklin Layout 2

Göppingen Church in Märklin's layout looks like it has been targeted by terrorists. It is falling apart badly.

Märklin Layout 2

Oil depot. Note the BP logos peeling off and the unpainted "rubber" car models.

Märklin Layout 2

Amazingly the layout was running electric locomotives like this Austrian one, but there was no catenary installed.

Austrian Train

Märklin's new Austrian 1018 locomotive looks nice even if it is only a repaint and the front window arrangement is incorrect. The Austrian orange-coloured "Schürzenwagen" passenger car set is equally attractive.

Schmidt

Small series manufacturer Schmidt were showing these impressive looking "Gläserne Zug" models in Z-scale.

Schmidt

This impressive looking model of German V 320 prototype diesel locomotive was in Schmidt stand.

Küppers

This small company from Aachen were displaying some interesting accessories. Here a "gardening center" kit made of cardboard.

Küppers

Examples of freight car loads available.

Horst Oschmann

This layout was exceptionally nice and amazingly all the buildings and other structures are their cardboard products.

Horst Oschmann

Note the bridge made of cardboard.

Horst Oschmann

Another suitcase layout. All cardboard buildings.

Artitec

The Dutch manufacturer Artitec was showing these truly beautiful models of river boats. The kits are made of resin.

Artitec

A little side building for railyards.

Z-Club 92

The stand of Z-club 92 had several layouts, this was the main one and had many interesting details.

Z-Club 92

Peter Landgraf's "München" layout with the total track length of about 41 meters (that is 9 scale kilometers). Lot's of interesting and rare rolling stock in this layout.

Z-Club 92

And another briefcase layout.

Z-Club 92

A tip how to recycle the old TV's.

Z-Club 92

A smaller but carefully built layout.

Z-Club 92

I guess every show needs to have at least one of these.

Z-Club 92

A layout can be squeezed in a violon case. So what?

Enztalbrücke by Rolf-Dieter Woertz

This little layout with a hidden return loop on both ends of the bridge was built in 1991 for the Verkehrshaus in Lüzern, Switzerland. Very carefully built and beautiful with two operating trains.

Commemorative Z-car

This years "Messewagen" in Z-scale was a DB stake car loaded with a wooden crate with Deutz logo and a tractor covered with green protective cloth. Deutz is a tractor and heavy vehicle manufacturer located in Cologne.

The Best Deal

The best deal on the show was definitely Kibri-catalog for 7 euros. A catalog buyer could choose a free building kit. There were several different ones for HO and N to choose from, but for Z only one; 6727 kit of fuel depot with accessories which, however, is a very nice one with plenty of useful items that can also be used in other context.