Press info from 27.10.2022: The Mega Model Building Weekend is Ready to Go!
Faszination Modellbau Friedrichshafen Together with the International Model Railway Exhibition and Echtdampf-Hallentreffen from 4 to 6 November 2022
As Europe’s most popular and attractive model building event, Faszination Modellbau will thrill all generations once again this year together with the International Model Railway Exhibition and Echtdampf-Hallentreffen in Friedrichshafen from the 4th through the 6th of November, 2022. Extraordinary shows, numerous highlights, exciting new products, camera-ready demonstrations, lots of indoor and outdoor action and great hands-on activities will be on the agenda for three days.
Being there in person means: getting away from the digital world at monitor screens and into real miniature action on land, on the water and in the air. Europe’s largest model railroading events including the International Model Railway Exhibition, the iconic Echtdampf-Hallentreffen and Faszination Modellbau will be held together for the first time this year. This will be a special experience for the entire family because all three events are included: a single ticket for 3 events which invite guests to marvel, experience and shop! Especially important: Christmas is just around the corner and visitors can do their shopping here for friends and family. After all, Faszination Modellbau is an inspiring, multifaceted treasure trove for all model-building segments which inspires not only children – it has plenty in store for every generation. Find out what’s in store for visitors to the model-building event in Friedrichshafen on the Internet at https://www.faszination-modellbau.de/besucherprogramm/, which is summarised below in excerpts.
Premiere for International Model Railway Exhibition in Friedrichshafen
The most traditional of all model building sectors will present model railways in all gauges, as well as a large selection of innovative and technical accessories, in two large exhibition halls at the premiere of the International Model Railway Exhibition in Friedrichshafen. Visitors will receive professional advice and answers to all of their questions about rolling stock from top industry brands such as Märklin/LGB/Trix, Rocco/Fleischmann, Piko, Hornby, ESU, Noch, Tillig, BEMO, Faller, Herpa, Viessmann/Kibri/Vollmer and Brawa, as well as at the booths of specialised small-series manufacturers. Up-to-the-minute information on new products and developments will be presented by experts at the model railway forum for the entire duration of the exhibition.
The brightly shining eyes of visiting children are also a traditional model railroading experience. Consequently, numerous hands-on activities will once again be offered especially for them. Market leader Märklin invites visitors to try out its entry-level products, namely the My World and Start Up series, at its large play area. The locomotives and wagons – designed with children in mind – are easy to handle and fun to play with from the very first moment, and they encourage creativity, motoric skills and logical thinking. These abilities can also be put to use at the Junior College Europe offered by the BDEF. Children and young people are introduced to independent model railway building and crafting by genuine professionals at seven stations, and can take their own little dioramas home with them. Cult moderator Hagen von Ortloff is also an expert of the first hour, who will of course also be on hand at the International Model Railway Exhibition with a layout and will sign autographs for his fans.
Iconic Steam Atmosphere for Railroading Fans
Steam, smoke and fumes waft round the noses of railway enthusiasts in the two exhibition halls of the iconic Echtdampf-Hallentreffen. World-class steam action will take place here on the world’s largest 5″ and 7¼” layout including more than 4 kilometres of track. Best of all: young railway fans and aficionados can ride the iconic iron horses together with the participants. The live show with locomobiles and street-running steam engines, complete with drivers dressed appropriately for the occasion, is also a delightful feast for everyone’s eyes. An original steam tractor from 1924 will even be on hand this year. Furthermore, lots of fully functional steam models on miniature rails, on the pedestal displays and in the large water basin will impressively demonstrate their technical capabilities.
Superlative Model Aviation Show: FMT “Stars of the Year”
As a unique annual air show, FMT “Stars of the Year” provides the experience-hungry public with pure entertainment every year at Faszination Modellbau. Award-winning pilots present their phenomenal flying skills and daring air manoeuvres against the magnificent backdrop of Lake Constance Airport. Gernot Bruckmann, a genuine multi-talent in the field of model aviation who has made a name for himself all over the world with numerous titles in various classes, as well as the Red Bull Aerobatic team, famous for their precision aerobatics, will be amongst the participants. The German national teams in the competition disciplines for hand-launched gliders, remote-controlled thermal gliders and electric thermal gliders will also be on the starting line once again. Speed records will be set, fearless close-to-ground aerobatics will be demonstrated, masterful aerial stunts will be flown to funky beats and freestyle helicopter performances will thrill flight enthusiasts young and old. It’s simply tremendous what the FMT community, along with its extensive network, is putting together in collaboration with the Faszination Modellbau team in Friedrichshafen!
FMT Indoor Air Show: Where Fantasy Soars High
The FMT Indoor Action for electric RC model aircraft in the West Foyer of Messe Friedrichshafen is a real crowd-puller and a hotbed of creativity. This is where the most creative minds of the indoor flying scene demonstrate what’s possible. They’ll present wild shows with ingenious, quirky flying objects on the airfield which measures roughly 30 x 30 metres. This year’s repertoire ranges from the Fliwatüüt, well-known from the popular German children’s book, right on up to Lukas the Locomotive Driver, ultra-light helicopters and feather-light indoor aviation models. It makes you want to take off yourself. And this is of course possible at Faszination Modellbau for those who are inclined to do so. Young and old, beginners and experts alike can test their flying skills on the flight simulator at the booth operated by the Deutscher Modellflieger Verband (German model aviation association) and take realistic control of many different model aircraft. Or navigate a drone through the Droneball game-space via remote control. By building a throw glider, kids learn craftsmanship skills and how to construct a simple aircraft.
Heavy HighLIGHT: Night Ride on the Truck Course
“Lights out, headlights on!” … this will be the motto on Friday and Saturday beginning at 4:30 p.m. in Truck Hall A4 at Messe Friedrichshafen. Night driving is on the agenda and the extensive lighting systems of the commercial vehicle models will really strut their stuff – amazement is inevitable for the spectators. Road trucks on the more than 600 square metre truck course show off their lighting functions, 1:12 scale construction machines give warning with flashing beacons, the fire brigade rushes to the scene with blinking blue light, snow groomers light up the slopes for work in the winter landscape, military vehicles are underway over rough terrain with headlights illuminated and show trucks impress viewers with their lighting effects. A HighLIGHT in the truest sense of the word! But even when the lights are on, there’s lots to see here, for example the tractor course where visitors can get their RC driving licences with remote-controlled models or simply level the ground with a bulldozer. Miniature trucks tackle the difficult off-road course at the Truck Trial. “Whiteout” is the name of the new programme on the snow groomer landscape. Excitement, action and cool music make the moderated show a blast once again.
Splashing Water Action at Faszination Modellbau
Ahoy in hall A5! Water action on the 400 square metre indoor water basin and the trade fair lake will once again captivate the spectators. Jet ski, surfing and sailboat races will be held, as well as sea rescue practice drills. In addition to various show highlights and demonstrations, there will of course still be plenty of time for free sailing, which is open to all visitors. Speaking of up and coming sailors – once again this year, future ship model builders will be able to earn the highly coveted captain’s licence directly on-site on the water basin during the children’s sailing event. Ambitious boatbuilders can build their own model ship at the “Kids’ Shipyard”. It’s seaworthiness can be tested in a small pool or at home in the bathtub.
Nice Guys, Hot Wheels and Lots of Speed
The R2 Builders Club is always especially popular amongst children and families because the R2-D2 droid, well-known from films and television, is really cute and a super likeable guy. How about a selfie? R2-D2 and his robot buddies are available for photos any time. The little robot is based on a variety of different manufacturing processes, electronics and various materials. Visitors can find out more about them and how they’re used directly from the builders themselves at the booth.
The racing drones with their small, powerful electric drives also feature sophisticated technology and lots of speed. Whirring sound and all, they race through the treacherous obstacle course to take their place on the winner’s podium at the Drone Championship Finals.
Already for the fourth time, the Devil Drift Crew will appear at Europe’s largest model building event with their high-performance models. They don’t race against each other, but rather as a team, in order to put on a fascinating show for the spectators. In stark contrast to this, competitors at the German Open Car Masters fight it out for every millimetre on the racetrack in order to take first place in one of the seven racing classes. Visitors will be able to try out RC action for themselves at the Race of Champions and at Carrera Revell’s booth. RC cars have to be skilfully steered around the obstacle-ridden track, or you can simply try out cool stunt functions. Carrera fans can also race various vehicles with hot wheels on a Carrera racetrack.
You can find out who else will be there and which highlights Faszination Modellbau has in store for the international model building community on Faszination Modellbau’s social media channels:
Complete information concerning the 20th FASZINATION MODELLBAU – leading international trade fair for model railways and model making – and the 38th IMA international exhibition for model railways and accessories can be accessed at www.faszination-modellbau.de and www.ima-friedrichshafen.de.
| 2022 Exhibition Dates | 4 to 6 November 2022 |
| Venue | Messe Friedrichshafen Neue Messe 1 D-88046 Friedrichshafen Germany www.messe-friedrichshafen.de |
| Opening Hours | Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Online Ticket Prices | Day pass, adults: €16.00 Discounted day pass: €13.00 (young people between 9 and 17 years, pupils, students, retirees and other entitled persons with ID) Family ticket: €40.00 (2 adults with 2 own children age 9 to 17) Plus fees Children up to 8 years of age are admitted free of charge. |
We look forward to your coverage and announcements. Appropriate image files can be found here: https://www.faszination-modellbau.de/presse/, and here: https://www.ima-friedrichshafen.de/presse/.