HAMBURG, Germany — Peter Martinez grew up watching his father craft miniature train cars, transforming them into vintage masterpieces. As his father built these models, mostly for collectors, Peter wondered why anyone would pay for something that seemed so enjoyable. “But luckily they did, and we built an industry around it,” he said.
Now, the Argentine family business, United Scale Arts, is collaborating with Germany’s Miniatur Wunderland, home to the world’s largest model train set. Together, they’re creating exhibits showcasing parts of South America, including the Amazon rainforest and Atacama Desert. With this artistry comes responsibility: they aim to reflect both the beauty and challenges of the real world.
Alongside stunning landscapes and intricate details, these models also feature social issues like poverty, crime, and environmental degradation. The existing exhibits in Hamburg showcase tiny trains hauling coal into mining towns and semitrucks transporting massive wind turbine blades over city bridges. Martinez emphasizes that it is essential to portray reality. “These are real problems, not an idealistic view,” he shared. “We want visitors to learn from what they see.”
The models also include all-too-relevant scenarios in the Amazon, such as illegal mining, deforestation, and forest fires, raising awareness about pressing environmental issues in a creative way.
At Miniatur Wunderland, there’s so much to explore. From the bright lights of Las Vegas to the beaches of Miami, visitors can witness tiny cars racing by replicas of famous landmarks. Cargo ships glide through miniature bays while flights take off from a tiny airport. It’s a delight for people of all ages, as trains speed through diverse landscapes.
The museum’s founders, twins Gerrit and Frederik Braun, along with their business partner Stephan Hertz, initially ventured into this world after leaving the nightlife scene. The idea stemmed from Frederik’s visit to a model shop in Zurich, where he suggested to Gerrit the creation of a much larger model railway. Gerrit was skeptical but eventually came around, and now he finds joy in this unexpected journey. “It’s a dream come true, playing all day for 25 years,” he chuckled.
They work hard, though. Gerrit mentioned that the initial museum plans took just two weeks to devise. With time, they recognized the need to evolve. “The world has changed,” he noted, referencing the growing focus on sustainability. “Ten years ago, we decided to incorporate technologies like electric cars and wind turbines. I believe in global warming, and if we can visualize these changes, we should.”
In a survey by the International Council on Clean Transportation, they found that awareness of electric vehicles surged by over 25% in the past three years. This shows a growing public interest in sustainability, mirroring the museum’s commitment to illustrating modern challenges and solutions through their captivating exhibits.
Ultimately, the blending of fun and serious topics at Miniatur Wunderland offers visitors not just entertainment, but also a chance to reflect on real-world issues. Through artful miniatures, they showcase the complexities of our world, reminding us that even in a small scale, big problems exist.
