Christmas model railway days at the railway museum
On 28 and 29 December 2026, Bahnwelt Darmstadt-Kranichstein will once again be hosting its traditional Christmas model railway days.
The name says it all: the focus is on all the model railway and demonstration layouts at the Railway Museum, including the ‘Lehrstellwerk’ and ‘Darmstadt Main Station 1846’ demonstration layouts. The Railway Museum’s model-making group will be showcasing model railway layouts featuring various scenes in the ‘MobaTrain’ exhibition train. There will also be an update on the group’s latest project: the construction of a new model display layout, over 12 metres in size, entitled ‘Darmstadt-Kranichstein Freight Yard and Depot’. This layout will allow railway operations at the former marshalling yard to be vividly depicted in model form, even after the construction of the ICE stabling facility. In addition, a small model railway exchange is planned.
Aside from the model railway, visitors can view the extensive uniform collection, the ticket and track-bed exhibitions, and an exhibition on the theme of ‘Railways in Darmstadt’. Our café invites you to enjoy a cosy get-together over coffee and cake in a historic setting. Due to the winter break, it is not possible to view the original rolling stock in the locomotive shed.
Admission is free, but donations are welcome.
The association’s volunteers are looking forward to welcoming lots of visitors!
The programme in detail:
- Model railway of Darmstadt Central Station from 1846
- Training signal box with locomotive simulator
- The ‘MobaTrain’ exhibition train, consisting of historic postal carriages:
- Various model railway layouts
- Presentation of the ‘Darmstadt-Kranichstein Freight Yard and Depot’ project
- Exhibition on the theme of ‘Railways in Darmstadt’
- Demonstration facility: ‘Turning steam into electricity’
- Model Railway Exchange
- Permanent exhibitions: rolling stock, tickets, uniforms
- Historic Märklin Ferris wheel
- Museum café
- Book and souvenir shop (Last chance to buy the Bahnwelt calendar!)

