On 10 April, the doors of Messe Dortmund will open for INTERMODELLBAU. With its wide range of products and services covering almost all major areas of model making and model sports, the trade fair will once again attract international visitors to the halls. Railway modelling has always been one of the core areas of the trade fair. While preparations are still in full swing, many exciting exhibitors and visitor highlights have already been confirmed and will whet the appetite for the four days of the fair.

Dortmund, 21. February 025 – One thing is for sure: model railway enthusiasts can expect a wide variety of products at INTERMODELLBAU. Proof of this is the range of renowned companies, exciting small series manufacturers and trade fair newcomers who have secured their stand space. Anyone who has been inspired by the numerous extraordinary model railway layouts and detailed models at the trade fair will find exactly the right places to give free rein to their own creativity. Märklin & Cie GmbH, Gebr. Faller GmbH, Modelleisenbahn GmbH and Viessmann Modelltechnik GmbH, for example, have always been firm favourites among the exhibitors. Also attending is Brawa Artur Braun Modellspielwarenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG, which is particularly popular for its detailed historical models of locomotives, carriages and other railway vehicles. ZIMO Elektronik GmbH will be presenting its solutions for model railway control and Noch GmbH & Co. KG has a large selection of design elements. A great variety of model railways is offered by exhibitors such as BEWO Modelleisenbahn GmbH & Co. KG, Herpa Miniaturmodelle GmbH, Hornby Deutschland GmbH, KATO Europe from Denmark, PIKO Spielwaren GmbH and TILLIG Modellbahnen GmbH. 

With companies such as HispatréN from Spain, Ladegut Büttner, Linton, Loewe Modellbahnzubehör, Lokstoredigital e.K., Luetke Modellbahn GbR, mXion modellbahntechnik, NordModell and Qdecoder GmbH, interesting small-series manufacturers will also enrich the range of products on show.

Finally, trade fair visitors can look forward to some new additions to the halls: PECO Underleys from the UK, for example, MTR-Exclusive, Konzept-Bahnen with its kits and Joe Schwarz Vitrinenmanufaktur from Switzerland with model railway and collectors' display cabinets.

The National Association of German Railway Friends (BDEF) will be expanding its activities on its stand in Hall 7 this year. With JuniorCollegeEuropa®, the BDEF, Europe's largest association for railway and model railway enthusiasts, has developed an established programme to promote young talent. The aim is to teach children and young people the basics of the creative and diverse hobby of railway modelling. This year, the programme will be supplemented by ‚Gleis 5‘, a tried-and-tested hands-on activity organised by the IGEMA manufacturers' association (Auhagen, Busch, Faller, Noch, Viessmann), which is also aimed at the next generation. At consecutive stations, the talented youngsters will build their own small diorama under the guidance of experienced model makers from the model railway club at Thomas-Mann-Gymnasium in Stutensee and learn everything they need to know to creatively design their own diorama- at eye level: from young people for young people. Afterwards, everyone can take their diorama home with them - free of charge thanks to the support of Messe Dortmund and the model railway manufacturers from the IGEMA manufacturers' association as well as the companies Greenkeeper and PIKO.

Other activities include, for example, the LEGO table with a circuit of tracks for building block cars. Here, everyone can get creative and build the craziest vehicles. The little ones can also let off steam on the wooden railway and put together exciting tracks on and around the play carpet.

Two model railway-related awards ceremonies promise excitement: In its 1/2025 issue, German eisenbahn magazin has called on readers to take part in the tenth edition of the popular diorama building competition - this time under the motto ‘Lost Places’. All the dioramas submitted will be presented to the public jury at the BDEF stand. Every visitor can vote on the voting cards on display. The ten best dioramas will then be presented in eisenbahn magazin with lots of photos.

And once again this year, German Verlagsgruppe Bahn will be awarding the ‚Goldenes Gleis‘ (Golden Track). On the evening of the first day of the fair, the winners chosen by the readers of German magazines MEB, MIBA, eisenbahn magazin, N-Bahn-Magazin and DiMo will be announced at a ceremony and the coveted trophy will be awarded to the representatives of the respective manufacturers. Visitors can then marvel at the award-winning models on the following days at the prize-winners' exhibition stands.

>>> If you have now got the urge to spend a day (or perhaps several?) in the exciting world of model making, you can already make your move. Tickets for INTERMODELLBAU are available online in the trade fair's own ticket shop. Various ticket options are available here.