The Wunderland in Numbers
The Wunderland is hard to describe in words, there's only so many times you can say 'big!', 'amazing!', 'detailed!', etc. So, we present to you here a list of numbers that will be sure to satisfy die-hard model fans who just want the facts:
General Wunderland Facts
| After final construction phase 2014 | Current May 2007 | |
| Leased Floorspace | 6,000 m² | 4,000 m² |
| Model Area | over 1,800 m² | 900 m² |
| Construction Areas | 10 | 4 |
| Track Length | approx. 20,000 Meters | 9,000 Meters |
| Trains | approx. 1,300 | approx. 700 |
| Wagons | 15,000 | over 10,000 |
| Longest Train | 14.51 Meters | 14.51 Meters |
| Signals | 1,900 | 900 |
| Switches | 4,000 | 1,900 |
| Computers | 64 | 33 |
| Lights | over 500,000 | approx. 250,000 |
| Buildings and Bridges | 6,000 | 2,800 |
| Figures | 300,000 | 160,000 |
| Cars | 10,000 | 4,000 |
| Trees | 330,000 | 165,000 |
| Work Hours | approx. 850,000 | 475,000 |
| Staff | 170 | 162 |
| Construction Cost | approx. 15,000,000 € | 7,300,000 € |
Completed Sections
The Miniatur Wunderland grows steadily. There are currently 4 complete construction areas, with the 5th area, Switzerland, slated for opening in 2007.
Here are a few facts about the existing sections:
1. Section Southern Germany / Knuffingen
Highlights: Beautiful landscapes, Revolutionary Carsystem with an operation of fire engines. Many people try to copy this innovative system of Gerrit Braun! Beautiful Alps with functional lifts. A large fun fair, a very long highspeed route and much more.
| Construction Phase | December 2000 - August 2001 |
| Model Area | approx. 300 m² |
| Track Length | 3,000 Meters |
| Trains | 230 |
| Wagons | 2,400 |
| Signals | 220 |
| Switches | 450 |
| Computers | 11 |
| Lights | approx. 70,000 |
| Buildings and Bridges | 850 |
| Figures | 40,000 |
| Cars | 1,000 |
| Trees | 70,000 |
| Work Hours | approx. 68,000 |
2. Section Hamburg and the coast
Highlights: Busy train operation, unique city with Hamburg’s landmarks such as Michel, AOL Arena (with 12,000 figures), Köhlbrandbrücke, Landungsbrücken, Speicherstadt, the harbour, Hagenbecks Zoo and so on…
| Construction Phase | 1st November 2001 - 22nd November 2002 |
| Model Area | approx. 200 m² |
| Track Length | 2,600 Meters |
| Trains | 190 |
| Wagons | 2,200 |
| Signals | 260 |
| Switches | 550 |
| Computers | 9 |
| Lights | approx. 60,000 |
| Buildings and Bridges | 1,000 |
| Figures | 50,000 |
| Cars | 1,300 |
| Trees | 15,000 |
| Work Hours | approx. 115,000 |
3. Section America
Highlights: Grand Canyon, Las Vegas with its more than 30,000 lights, the Rocky Mountains, the amazing Carsystem with the American fire engines, Miami, the Everglades, Area 51, Cape Canaveral, Pueblo villages, woodmen camps and so on…
| Construction Phase | January 2003 - 08th December 2003 |
| Model Area | approx. 100 m² |
| Track Length | 1,400 Meters |
| Trains | 140 |
| Wagons | 3,000 |
| Signals | 120 |
| Switches | 300 |
| Computers | 6 |
| Lights | approx. 70,000 |
| Buildings and Bridges | 450 |
| Figures | 30,000 |
| Cars | 800 |
| Trees | 30,000 |
| Work Hours | approx. 99,000 |
4. Section Scandinavia
Highlights: Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland. Real water, Northern lights, high tide and low tide, Artic Sea, elks, navigating ships and snow…
| Construction Phase | July 2004 - July 2005 |
| Model Area | approx. 300 m² |
| Track Length | 2,000 Meters |
| Trains | 150 |
| Wagons | 3,000 |
| Signals | 300 |
| Switches | 600 |
| Computers | 7 |
| Lights | approx. 50,000 |
| Buildings and Bridges | 500 |
| Figures | 40,000 |
| Cars | 600 |
| Ship | 16 |
| Trees | 50,000 |
| Water | 30,000 liters |
| Work Hours | approx. 140,000 |
Sections Under Construction
There are open workshops and construction areas in the Miniatur Wunderland. This means that you can actually see our modellers and technicians working on new parts and you can better understand how much effort we put into this exhibit. Here are some facts about the two sections under construction:
5. Section Switzerland
This section is the most demanding from a modeller's point of view. The 5-6 meters high tops of Switzerland's Alps loom through a 100 sqm large whole in the ceiling. Trains snake through stunning canyons to the third floor, where the bulk of the Switzerland Alps is emerging. On a twined metal staircaise which leads through the inner of the Alps passing stalactite caves and grottos, you will reach the new floor. Here you have an astonishing view on the mountains whose peak vanish into clouds (ceiling :-)). Ticino will only be a few steps away from there. With its characteristic landscape and lake it will definitely be a very special part in the Wunderland world. Not only Ticino will be built in Wunderland, but 3 cantons in total will be established in Wunderland's Switzerland.
Many different features will be installed on the area of the three cantons such as the big fireworks which were initially planned for Scandinavia and an open air festival. Both have been positioned into Switzerland due to spatial reasons.
Since October 2005 we are working on our "Mini"-Switzerland. The modelling team of Gerhard Dauscher is currently modelling this landscape day and night. We hope to open the Switzerland section in fall 2007.
| Construction Phase | October 2005 - End 2007 |
| Model Area | approx. 250 m² |
| Track Length | 3,000 Meters |
| Trains | 130 |
| Wagons | 3,500 |
| Signals | 300 |
| Switches | 600 |
| Computers | 7 |
| Lights | approx. 25,000 |
| Buildings and Bridges | 700 |
| Figures | 30,000 |
| Cars | 1,000 |
| Trees | 50,000 |
| Work Hours | approx. 130,000 |
6. Section Airport
The 60 sqm large airport, located in the middle of the Alps, is a big technical challenge. Since May 2004 technics are being developed which find a solution for a realistic simulation of takeoff and landing. Presently we are in the last state of testing and are positive to have found a fascinating solution. Besides the simulation of takeoff and landing, there will be a large advanced Carsystem which moves not only vehicles but also airplanes. The Airport will become the largest model airport and will be technically as groundbreaking as the Carsystem.
| Construction Phase | May 2004 - End 2008 |
| Model Area | approx. 150 m² (60 m² of airport area) |
| Track Length | 1,000 Meters |
| Trains | 50 |
| Wagons | 1,000 |
| Signals | 100 |
| Switches | 200 |
| Computers | 6 |
| Lights | approx. 40,000 |
| Buildings and Bridges | 300 |
| Figures | 15,000 |
| Cars | 500 |
| Trees | 10,000 |
| Work Hours | approx. 150,000 |
Future Sections
There are new construction plans until 2014 and we have many more ideas for other building projects. It is certain that we will build Italy and France after having finished the construction of the airport. After this there are different options available. Presently our favourites are Africa, England or a futuristic landscape. Here are some figures for the following two sections:
7. Section France
The 7th section starts with the southern most point of Ticino. The French Mediterranean coast with highlights such as St. Tropez and Monaco will be constructed here. Currently we are discussing whether to build further into the inland and also whether to build Paris. It is a question of space, as always!
| Construction Phase | Beginning 2009 - Beginning 2010 |
| Model Area | approx. 130 m² |
| Track Length | 3,000 Meters |
| Trains | 120 |
| Wagons | 1,500 |
| Signals | 200 |
| Switches | 400 |
| Computers | 4 |
| Lights | approx. 30,000 |
| Buildings and Bridges | 300 |
| Figures | 20,000 |
| Cars | 1,000 |
| Trees | 10,000 |
| Work Hours | approx. 90,000 |
8. Section Italy
The ceiling of the France section will be removed on an area of 25 sqm. There will be the border region between France and Italy (mountains). You will be able to descend on a small staircase down the mountains to Italy on the 2nd floor. We have extended our area for another 800 square meters on the second floor recently, allowing more areas to be built there. Italy will get about 130 sqm where we plan to place highlights such as Venice, Roma, Pisa or Tuscany.
| Construction Phase | Beginning 2009 - Beginning 2010 |
| Model Area | approx. 130 m² |
| Track Length | 3,000 Meters |
| Trains | 120 |
| Wagons | 1,500 |
| Signals | 200 |
| Switches | 400 |
| Computers | 4 |
| Lights | approx. 30,000 |
| Buildings and Bridges | 300 |
| Figures | 20,000 |
| Cars | 1,000 |
| Trees | 10,000 |
| Work Hours | approx. 90,000 |
