Model train sets and displays have fascinated devotees for generations. These intricately designed marvels can replicate entire cities, landscapes, and historical periods. Fun and sophisticated, model railway displays are showcases that take countless hours and incredible skill to complete. In other words, masterpieces exist outside the stuffy halls of the Louvre and the Met.

Here are some of the best model railroads and train sets that you can visit on your travels. Whether you’re a diehard model railroad aficionado or somebody who has never experienced the hobby before, you’re in for a memorable treat!

Miniatur Wunderland – Hamburg, Germany

The skilled artists at Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg have crafted the largest model railway in the world. Sporting over 16,000 square feet of space, Miniatur Wunderland is home to 260,000 figures and approximately 4,000 buildings. While train enthusiasts will come to love its 50,000 feet of track and over 1,000 trains, visitors will also fall in love with the great variety of landscapes shown in the model.

Miniatur Wunderland is home to 11 different worlds, with regions as diverse as the United States, Italy, and Scandinavia recreated in stunning detail. Aviation lovers will also find mind much to enjoy in the model, thanks to an intricately designed airport with 42 airplanes that actually take off and land.

Pendon Museum – Oxfordshire, UK

The Pendon Museum in Oxfordshire takes visitors on a trip back in time to the rural England from the 1920s and ’30s. Ever since the museum was founded in 1954, staff have striven to recreate the Vale of White Horse — a village and rural area in Oxfordshire — based on photographs and records from the inter-war years.

Along with trains, models at the museum feature countless farms and cottages from the area that have been painstakingly recreated with the most minute detail. Trains that run in the Vale Scene are modeled after actual Great Western Railway locomotives that ran in the area during the summer of 1923. Also of interest is the museum’s two other layouts, the Dartmoor Branch and Madder Valley, which feature tributes to the countless other types of locomotives that served the region during the era.

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum – Durango, Colorado

“DURANGO AND SILVERTON RAILROAD – DURANGO, COLORADO” by CROKERBD is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum is a prime destination for train lovers hoping to capture a glimpse of the history of the railroad in the American West. Primarily focusing on full-size railways, the museum nevertheless offers an amazing model of the Durango-Silverton area as it existed in the 1950s. The model’s 800-sqaure-foot layout takes visitors on a trip on the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad.

Along with beautiful depictions of the Colorado landscape, the model also offers a glimpse into small town life in America during the 50s with charming locations like drive-in theaters and malt shops. Train lovers will also delight in the abundance of artifacts from railroad history that are housed here. Among the most popular exhibits are 19th-century locomotives and historic railroad cars.

San Diego Model Railroad Museum – San Diego, California

The San Diego Model Railroad Museum is the Golden State’s premiere destination for those with an interest in model trains. The museum boasts five permanent layouts that highlight the beauty and artistry of model railroads while simultaneously enlightening visitors to the importance of trains and rail travel to California’s early history.

One of the museum’s most detailed exhibits is the San Diego and Arizona Eastern HO Layout, which transports visitors to the city in the 1950s. Featuring a diorama 142 feet in length with 15 scale miles of mainline track, guests can follow the line all the way to the Mexican border and an exquisitely designed replica of a drive-in movie theater. At the same time, rotating exhibits at the San Diego Model Railroad Museum highlight various aspects of toy train history and the history of railroads in California. One of the most celebrated exhibits from years past featured displays of train cars from circuses.

Model Railway Village – Clonakilty, Ireland

The attention to detail shown in Model Railway Village’s displays is superb

Families looking for a day of fun and adventure should head to the Model Railway Village in Clonakilty, Ireland, a model village that transports visitors to a bygone era. The Model Railway Village is designed in a 1:24 scale, which allows guests to actually walk in the diorama for an up close and personal take on the breathtaking displays.

The Model Railway Village is shaped after the town of West Cork in the 1940s. Guests can follow the West Cork Railway as it winds through the Irish countryside, checking out villages and towns as they go. In addition to the thrilling train model, visitors to the Model Railway Village will be awestruck by the beautiful buildings and figurines that offer a glimpse into everyday Irish life during the 40s.

Northlandz – Flemington, New Jersey

Visitors to Northlandz in Flemington, New Jersey will be surprised and delighted by the miniature world created by the museum’s skilled artists. Winner of the Guinness World Record for World’s Largest Model Railroad, Northlandz features over 8 miles of rail track in a layout that spans 52,000 square feet.

In addition to the incredible size of the museum’s primary display, smaller details make Northlandz’s miniature world a place you will want to visit time and again. 100 model trains crisscross the museum’s massive diorama in a landscape dotted with over 250,000 trees, dozens of tunnels, and canyons reaching heights of 400 feet tall. Rail fans will also not want to miss the chance to ride on the museum’s outdoor train, a replica of an 1890s locomotive that treats guests to views of the picturesque Raritan River.

The Great Train Story, Museum of Science and Industry – Chicago, Illinois

“Great Train Story exhibit” by Dima Sergiyenko is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry treats visitors to the Windy City to the history of rail travel through The Great Train Story, a 3,500-foot exhibit that takes guests on a journey from the streets of Chicago to the sunny coast of Seattle, Washington. Featuring over 1,400 feet of track, The Great Train Story spans 2,200 miles of the American landscape and features panoramas as diverse as the skyscrapers of Chicago, the soaring peaks of the Rocky Mountains, and the peaceful farmlands of the Great Plains.

A celebration of ingenuity and industry, the exhibit features countless scenes with miniature figures that showcase the multitude of different perspectives that make up the American experience. Boasting 30 different trains, The Great Train Story has the special distinction of allowing guests to help the miniature world’s engineers and conductors reach their destination with seven interactive railway stations spread throughout the diorama.

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The National Toy Train Museum – Strasburg, Pennsylvania

“0521 Strasburg – National Toy Train Museum” by Klaus Nahr is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

The National Toy Train Museum in Strasburg, PA boasts one of the largest and most diverse collections of model trains in the world. As the home of the Train Collectors Association, the museum features displays and toy models from an array of different eras. Ever intent on preserving the heritage of toy trains, staff at the museum maintain and display models from the early 1800s to the modern era.

Since the museum has pieces from a multitude of different time periods, visitors to the city can look forward to seeing train cars and tracks of a variety of different sizes and gauges. Dioramas in the museum’s six main layouts incorporate both trains from famous toy brands like Lionel, Bachmann, and LEGO and rarer pieces from lesser-known toy train manufacturers.

FAQs: 

Q: Are there any age restrictions for visitors to these model train museums?
A: Generally, there are no age restrictions, but some museums may have specific exhibits or events that are best suited for certain age groups.

Q: Can visitors operate the model trains at any of these museums?
A: This depends on the museum’s policy. Some may offer interactive exhibits where you can operate trains, while others may not due to the fragility of the models.

Q: Do these museums offer guided tours or educational programs?
A: Many model train museums offer guided tours and educational programs to enhance your visit. Check the museum’s website or contact them to find out what’s available.

Q: Are the museums accessible for visitors with disabilities?
A: Most museums strive to be accessible to all visitors. Specific accommodations can be found on their official websites or by contacting them directly.

Q: Is photography allowed in these model train museums?
A: Photography policies vary by museum. Some allow photography without flash, while others may restrict it in certain areas or require a permit.

Have you ever seen any of these model railroads live? Tell us about it in the comments below!