The Wunderland in Numbers

The Wunderland is hard to describe in words. There are only so many times you can say 'big!', 'amazing!', 'detailed!', etc. So, here you can find a brief chart with Miniatur Wunderland related facts that aren't only interesting to die hard model builders.

General Wunderland Facts

  After final construction phase 2015 Current Spring 2009
Leased Floorspace 10,000 6,400
Model Area over 2,300 1,150
Construction Areas 12 7
Track Length approx. 20,000 Meters 12,000 Meters
Trains approx. 1,300 approx. 830
Wagons 15,000 over 11,000
Longest Train 14.51 Meters 14.51 Meters
Signals 1,900 900
Switches 4,000 2,200
Computers 64 40
Lights over 500,000 approx. 300,000
Buildings and Bridges 6,000 3,500
Figurines 300,000 200,000
Cars 10,000 5,500
Trees 330,000 215,000
Work Hours approx. 850,000 500,000
Staff 200 185
Construction Cost approx. 15,000,000 € 10,000,000 €

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. Beautiful Alps with functional lifts. A large carnival, a very long highspeed route and much more.

Construction Phase December 2000 - August 2001
Model Area approx. 300
Track Length 3,000 Meters
Trains 230
Wagons 2,400
Signals 220
Switches 450
Computers 11
Lights approx. 70,000
Buildings and Bridges 850
Figurines 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
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
Figurines 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, logging camps and so on…

Construction Phase January 2003 - 08th December 2003
Model Area approx. 100
Track Length 1,400 Meters
Trains 140
Wagons 3,000
Signals 120
Switches 300
Computers 6
Lights approx. 70,000
Buildings and Bridges 450
Figurines 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 and low tide, Artic Sea, moose, navigating ships and snow…

Construction Phase July 2004 - July 2005
Model Area approx. 300
Track Length 2,000 Meters
Trains 150
Wagons 3,000
Signals 300
Switches 600
Computers 7
Lights approx. 50,000
Buildings and Bridges 500
Figurines 40,000
Cars 600
Ship 16
Trees 50,000
Water 30,000 liters
Work Hours approx. 140,000

5. Section Switzerland

This section was 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 have been installed in the area of the three cantons such as a working chocolate factory and an open air festival featuring DJ Bobo.

Work on our "Mini"-Switzerland started in October 2005 and the modelling team of Gerhard Dauscher worked almost day and night. Finally, on 12.November 2007, our Switzerland was inaugurated with a great ceremony.

Construction Phase October 2005 - End 2007
Model Area approx. 250
Track Length 3,000 Meters
Trains 130
Wagons 3,500
Signals 300
Switches 600
Computers 7
Lights approx. 25,000
Buildings and Bridges 700
Figurines 30,000
Cars 1,000
Trees 50,000
Work Hours approx. 130,000

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 work on new parts and you can better understand how much effort we put into this exhibit. Here are some facts about the sections currently under construction:

6. Section Airport

The 150 sqm large airport, located in the middle of the Alps, is a big technical challenge. Since May 2004 the technique is being developed to find a solution for a realistic simulation for takeoff and landing. Presently, we are in the last state of testing and are positive to have found a fascinating solution. Besides the simulation for 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 - Spring 2010
Model Area approx. 150 (60 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
Figurines 15,000
Cars 500
Trees 10,000
Work Hours approx. 150,000

Future Sections

There are new construction plans until 2015 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 that 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 Spring 2010 - Beginning 2011
Model Area approx. 130
Track Length 3,000 Meters
Trains 120
Wagons 1,500
Signals 200
Switches 400
Computers 4
Lights approx. 30,000
Buildings and Bridges 300
Figurines 20,000
Cars 1,000
Trees 10,000
Work Hours approx. 100,000

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 Summer 2011 - Fall 2012
Model Area approx. 130
Track Length 1,500 Meters
Trains 100
Wagons 1,500
Signals 200
Switches 400
Computers 4
Lights approx. 30,000
Buildings and Bridges 500
Figurines 30,000
Cars 1,000
Trees 10,000
Work Hours approx. 90,000