In a fascinating miniature world on land and water, in the air and on rails, the world's largest model making show will once again surprise visitors between 18 and 21 April with fascinating new products and hot innovations in model making and model sports, without neglecting popular classics.

Dortmund, 17 April 2024 – A very special début awaits visitors to the LEGO® fan exhibition in Hall 7 where the new LEGO SPACE series will be 'launched' at INTERMODELLBAU. In Hall 6, the popular miniature railway has been making steam for 43 years.

LEGO® SPACE sets to be shown for the first time

The giant astronaut is impossible to miss: built by fans using thousands of LEGO bricks, it can be found at the LEGO® Modellbaufans Rheinland e.V. exhibition space, promoting the LEGO SPACE series which is making its début here. Space sets from LEGO Technic or LEGO City offer unimagined possibilities for bringing outer space into the home. A solar system and lunar stations – everything will be on display at INTERMODELLBAU and will even be built by the fans at the venue. Especially for the show, there will be small space sets for the children which they can use to make things and take the results home with them. Tips and tricks included.

2.5 million bricks across 400 square metres

The LEGO® enthusiasm is unbroken: the area for children and adults at INTERMODELLBAU is growing every year. This year, around 2.5 million bricks have been laid over an area of 400 square metres – in famous buildings, a funfair with a rotating Ferris wheel, moving lorries, trucks and trains. Most of the bricks are in the near-life-size Bugatti Chiron – it can’t be driven, but does provide a fascinating experience with its engine noises and lights. By the way, the impressive objects of many LEGO® modelling fans are not made to last forever: once they have been sufficiently shown and demonstrated, the modeller takes them apart again and takes up the challenge of creating and building something new. 

Miniature steam train has been transporting visitors for 43 years

For 43 years, a real miniature steam train has been taking children and adults through the exhibition using many impressive steam locomotives – up to three metres long and weighing 400 kg. “They were all welded, turned and built from iron, steel and brass in the basement over a period of 5 to 15 years,” emphasised Wolfgang Bress from the steam modelling enthusiasts' society Dampfmodellbau Freunde. By applying a lot of logistical and physical effort, the massive steel models are taken from the workshops finally to travel on rails at shows and exhibitions. The items on show comprise steam engines and also as a steam-powered tractor (also available for rides).

Skill competition using off-road vehicles

Pure action is the order of the day at SHERPA Trophy in Hall 5as realistic-looking, moving remote-controlled off-road vehicles mastering tricky routes with different backdrops on soil and uneven terrain including Scottish ruins, Chinese buildings, a South American snack bar, a skating park, sand dunes, seesaws, ravines, a drive-in cinema and more besides. As every year, visitors – inexperienced, curious and professionals – can also try out test and professional vehicles, scalers and scale crawlers and take part in small trial skill competitions. The popular PistenBully and other snow crawlers from Pistenking Funktionsmodellbau (Hall 6) are bringing the winter back to Dortmund. Lighting technology is also part of the exhibition programme.

Viessmann to present new smart charging coil

The new CarMotion system from Viessmann announced last year is eagerly awaited: in addition to many new self-driving vehicles, Viessmann will be presenting the charging of car batteries via an intelligent inductive coil in the roadway – in a parking bay or in front of a traffic light – for the first time at INTERMODELLBAU in Hall 4. “The vehicles are recharged individually as required and can remain on the track for hours,” said Constanze Viessmann‑Kato. The coils communicate with the vehicles and can also control entire systems digitally. This means that CarMotion can also pick up cars – a VW Beetle is celebrating its début. “All vehicle models purchased last year can be retrofitted.”

BVB mascot EMMA just 'coming over'

The BVB mascot EMMA will also be ‘buzzing over' and mingling with the visitors: the cute bee will be in attendance from 10:00 to 11:00 hrs on Saturday 20 April for selfies, autographs and lots of fun.

Shark highlight among the funfair models

Ralf Landgraf from IG Kirmesmodelle will be unveiling a personal highlight. He has recreated the nostalgic HAISCHAU (German for 'shark show'), where women once climbed into a tank with sharks. “Unimaginable today, but something of a 'hai-light' back in the day,” he smiles. Together with his fellow model makers, he will be presenting many funfair models in Hall 6 – all replicas of original rides – in 1:87 and 1:24 scale. The 'Konga' giant swing, which has just been in use at Dortmund's Easter funfair, will also be on display. IG Kirmesmodelle has been coming to INTERMODELLBAU for 25 years: “Engaging with fellow modellers is always particularly interesting. And, of course, the challenge of making the impossible possible on a small scale!”

Anyone looking for ready-made kits in H0 and N will find what they are looking for at Kirmesmodellbau Raue in Hall 4 not far from the major manufacturers such as Märklin, Faller, Viessmann and Noch. Exclusively at INTERMODELLBAU, they will be presenting their first small but unique ride with newly developed drive-trains. As with many other exhibitors at INTERMODELLBAU, Raue has special trade show offers and discount promotions.

Machine tools and 3D printing for children and schools

3D printing has found its way into all areas of model making, enabling unlimited creative designs. The keyboard replaces the saw – spare parts or even entire models are designed on-screen and then printed out. The Modellbau AG Flugmodell of the Max Born Vocational College in Recklinghausen will be demonstrating the process at the stand of the German Model Aviation Association (Hall 3). Machine tools and 3D printers for children from the age of 4, beginners and schools will be exhibited by UNIMAT (Hall 4).

Innovative laser cutters as table-top devices

Model makers will also find a real innovation for the home workshop at Laserlink‑Medacom (Hall 3): “We offer top-of-the-range laser cutters that are affordable and portable for hobby model makers,” emphasised Sales Manager Sebastian Schmitt. The table-top devices cut many materials with the utmost precision. “At the trade show demonstrations, it will be plywood and acrylic panels. These are the materials predominantly used in model making.”

Cardboard modellers have remained faithful to paper

Cardboard modelling, however, has remained true to the original material of paper. “All you need is paper, scissors, glue and a cutting mat,” said Thomas Gluske from IG Kartonmodellbau, emphasising the benefits of his hobby: “You don't have to go to the basement workshop, you can do handicrafts at the family dining table while watching TV.” In Hall 5, cardboard modellers will be presenting their diverse works of art such as ships, aeroplanes and architecture and will also be showing how various models are created. Newcomers and school classes will be able to learn a lot about the techniques and developments in cardboard modelling, whose “possibilities are almost unlimited thanks to the creative templates available on the Internet.”