01.01.07 at 12:03 hrs

Weekly Report No 322, CW 52

2006 was the year of modernization; especially in the model building resort. The TV tower was built in, the fun fair became new rides and booths,

and the Altona station in the Hamburg section was completely remodelled.

The street and structure illumination was completely changed from lamps to LEDs. In addition, the conventional light control was replaced with our inhouse developed MiWuLaLight system.

Some progress was also made around the layout. The exhibition rooms were repainted and and the walls were furnished with slate.

One part of the most important themes were the remodelling measures taken in the new building sections. Nearly 900 m² (8,100 sq ft) floor had to be newly built up.

100 m² (900 sq ft) of the ceiling had to be removed for the Swiss section...

... and a benchwork of nearly 12 tons of steel...

had to be welded together for the Swiss Alps.

Gerhard Dauscher sat several months brooding over 3D-models and plans in order to incorporate as many ideas and whishes as possible.

Kick-off for building the new Swiss section was the 1.6.2006 when the 1:1 plans were laid out the first time.

The most important theme was, of course, planning and building the new Swiss and the future airport section.

Not just for us but for the whole country the Soccer World Championship was an important event. Nearly all germans suffered from soccer fever. of course, the Miniatur Wunderland adapted very quickly and devoted some areas to the Soccer World Championship. Since we oriented us as close as possible to the prototype, we installed so-called Blue Goals in the Hamburg section; just as had been done in the real world from May to October when many roofs in the Hamburg city were crowned with them.

In addition, some Blue Goals were 'connected' by a laser beam originating from St. Michaels church.

Moreover, we staged a 1/87 scale championship fan-party during which the games were broadcasted live on some miniature TV-screens.

One thing, however, was not to be missed out : The Championship Special train running on the layout during the time of the World Soccer Championships.

2006 was also a year to party. April 20, 2006 we welcomed the 3.000.000 visitor.

It is barely imaginable that a model railroad exhibition could draw that many visitors in just 4.5 years.

Another highligt this year was the 5th anniversary of the Miniatur Wunderland since the opening in 2001.

August 15, 2006 some 400 congratulators arrived to party with us until early morning the next day...

What do celebrities do in their leisure time? Pretty simple: They pay a visit to the Miniatur Wunderland :-) Atze Schröder even brought his wig and stayed forever.

Since his visit he is on stage at the push of button and performs his program in a concert hall.

Mario Barth passed by before his performance in Hamburg and awed at all the small details which the 'most prmitive hobby of men' could bring up!

Jörg Pilawa is always thrilled when he and his family find time to visit us. During the TV show 'Johannes B. Kerner' with Freddy and Gerrit he spoke really fascinated about the layout and its impact on him.

Everyboday knows that the Wunderland is open 365 days a year although with changing hours. Closing time is oriented on the expected numbers of the visitors. We thrive to give every visitor the chance to indulge the layout. Unfortunately, we had (nearly two) exceptions this year - two days, on which the opening hours were not determined by us but by 'higher powers'... June 20, 2006 , approx. 2PM: Relatively many visitors are at the layout, at least for a day when the German national Soccer Team plays. Suddenly, it happened: All trains stood still, the lights went out, and the emergency lights went on. What happened? A somewhat capital problem in a substation of the local energy supplier arose and switched off the current for the complete Speicherstadt complex. After some phone calls with the eneergy supplier we came to the conclusion that we had to close the exhibition for the rest of the day. The blackout lasted more than two hours but apart from some disappointed visitors no harm was done.

Wednesday, 1.11.2006, the complete Speicherstadt reports: land under water! Really the complete Speicherstadt? Of course, NOT! The Miniatur Wunderland wouldn't be the Miniatur Wunderland, if it could not react to such unforeseeable problems. Although the complete Speicherstadt complex was shut off from traffic, the trains kept on running. If 2006 had been a leap year, we would indeed have been open for 365 days but now we 'only' were open for 364.5 days – Ashes on our heads!