In the Miniatur Wunderland we use track systems from different manufacturers. Each system has it’s pros and cons. The following article will show you where and how we use the different systems.

In the sections alps, Harz mountains, Hamburg, USA, and Scandinavia we use the K-track made by Märklin on almost all main lines. In order to connect new sections to already existing ones, we have to use the K-track to ensure that in the future we can run trains from one end of the layout to another. 90% of all track pieces are flex track and we also use slim turnouts for smooth running. The advantage of the K-track is easy handling, and it is also very sturdy. To round this off, no loop-modules are needed. All trackwork has in common that we have track feeders every 150 cms to 200 cms (every 4 to 6 ft.).

This way, it doesn’t matter into which rail the contacts (abt. 10 cms long) are set. When cutting the rail for the contact one should pay attention to the resulting burr. It must not touch the middle rail as otherwise a short circuit is created. Finding this short can cost a lot of nerves and is best done using a multimeter. Once you have a clean cut, the contact rail can be fixed using Stabilit-Express, a two component glue. We don’t need the limit stop of the turnout motors and thus rip them out, since we control the turnouts using digital decoders. ATTENTION: If turnouts are controlled analog, the limit stop must stay in the motor as otherwise the turnout motor will be destroyed. Märklin turnouts in the sections Alps, Harz, Hamburg, and USA have not yet been modified. In the scandinavian section, the turnouts have been equipped with a turnout motor made by LGB. To make it fit, the turnout has to be modified a bit. As a sound-damping measure we lay all track in the staging areas on 4 mm cork. In the visible areas the track is laid into a readymade subroadbed made by MERKUR which is sold via NOCH. This subroadbed is already configured for Märklin flex track, turnouts, and sectional track.  

Roco-Line track is used in the Hamburg and Scandinavia sections. In the Hamburg section, we used the track with it’s original roadbed for the metro line (U-Bahn), light-railway (S-Bahn), and the trams.

Why did we use Roco and not Märklin? Simple reply: 2-rail track is a worldwide standard. There is a lot more rolling stock out there for 2-rail track than for 3-rail track. Thus, we didn’t have the need for costly conversions of rolling stock. In general, 2-rail track is the winner if trackwork has be laid into streets (like harbour tracks or tram tracks) as it is very easy to fit concrete or cobblestone between the rails. In the Hamburg section we also used the original turnout motors. We don’t use contacts for the 2-rail trackwork but use occupancy detectors instead. These can be a couple of meters long. We use insulationg track joiners to isolate the detection section from the rest of the track. One should also have expanding joints in the rails to avoid warping. One important point is the right polarity, especially in return loops. Using digital control, however, this not really complicated.

The 9mm track made by Roco is used for a narrow gauge road in the Harz section. It is very delicate and requires a lot of attention. Turnout motors are original ones train control is also digital.

In the scandinavian section we not only use flex track but also 90 cms (abt. 3 ft) sectional track. In the staging areas it is laid on 4 mm cork, and in the visible areas it is laid on prefabricated subroadbed sold by NOCH.  

Das Peco Gleis kommt bei uns im Bereich USA zum Einsatz. Peco - code75 ist ein sehr filigranes Zweileiter Gleis. Wir haben Flexgleis und diverse Weichen-Typen eingesetzt. Besonders zu beachten bei dem Peco Gleis: Weichen müssen mit einer Einspeisung versehen werden und das Herzstück muss umgepolt werden. Da es sich auch hier um Zweileiter-Technik handelt, muss wieder auf Polung geachtet werden und es sind ebenfalls Kehrschleifen notwendig. Auch hier arbeiten wir mit Gleismeldern, die auch wieder einige Meter lang sein können, getrennt werden diese wieder mit den Isolierschienenverbindern, die sich auch sehr gut verarbeiten lassen, die Schienenverbinder lassen sich sehr schwer auf die Schiene schieben das Gewährleistet optimalen Kontakt, auch hier müssen wieder Dehnungsfugen eingearbeitet werden um Verspannungen auszuschließen. Die Bettung ist auch wieder von NOCH Die Weichenantrieben sind nicht von Peco, hier kamen die sehr robusten LGB Weichenantriebe zum Einsatz. Wir entschieden uns deshalb für dieses Schienesystem weil wir im Europäischen Raum kaum rollendes Material für eine USA-Anlage bekamen, oder wir hätte alle Waggons und Loks umrüsten müssen. Auf der USA Anlage sind Zuglängen bis zu 14 Metern möglich, wobei man anmerken muss, dass diese Länge eher am Layout-Design, denn an der Technik liegt. Dank der digitalen Steuerung werden alle Loks in einem Zug synchron angetrieben.

This track is used in the swiss alps. In addition, a cograil is implemented fort he cog railroad. Since the track is very steep, a normal locomotive wouldn’t be able to push a train up the mountain. The workhorse her is a class 91 “Edelweiss”  steam loco (Fleischmann item # 4033). Turnout motors are original; control is digital and, as usual with 2-rail, polarity has to be observed.