The second weekend in January saw what is thought to be the world’s largest exhibition for model engineering steam models. This year the Echtdampf Hallentreffen moved a short distance from its former home in Sinsheim to Karslruhe. Locomotives, road steam, boats and stationary engines were all well represented with the majority of them in action, which is a nice change from the usual static displays we are used to elsewhere.

Locomotives were in constant action over the three days on many kilometres of the world’s longest track in both 5in. and 7 ¼in. gauge with drivers as young a seven. Every year the show founder and organizer, Andreas Wittur adds more track.

In addition there were some 107 stands, plus more than 2,000 sq metres of  model railways, and a 15 metre diameter boat pool filled with almost 100,000 gallons of water. Hundreds of stationary engines on pedestals filled a further 300 metres of  exhibition space.

Models and modellers from 10 countries took part, and more than 1,000 models were on display.

A feature of this and other model exhibitions in Germany is the large number of children that attend, many of whom will go on to become engineers and model engineers. We present a small collection of photos to give an idea of this great show and encourage people to attend next January.

Click on photo to enlarge, click ‘download’ for larger still. For a slide show, please click below.