Everyone has something they love doing. Whether it’s scrapbooking, woodworking, or snapping pictures, the options are endless.
For brothers Frederik and Gerrit Braun of Germany, their passion is model trains, planes, and all they entail. Since 2000, they have been working on a project of epic proportions – over 16,000 square feet to be precise!
Instagram
Their goal was to build the world’s largest model railway system in Hamburg. By August 2001, they had completed three miniature tracks and launched what is now home to more than 260,000 characters, 4,000 buildings, and 130,000 trees. And they haven’t stopped adding to their collection!
Instagram
These days, Miniatur Wunderland has easily surpassed their goal! It features 12 different “worlds,” including Central Germany, Austria, the U.S., Italy, and Switzerland. They even developed the Knuffingen Airport, complete with flying planes.
Instagram
Each section is full of intricate details that are simply incredible. The siblings set up working lights, an airport luggage carousel that moves little suitcases, and even a bridge that carries trains over a river in the Grand Canyon.
Instagram
Recent numbers say Miniatur Wunderland has more than 9,000 tiny cars, 42 planes, 1,040 trains, and over 49,000 feet of tracks!
The brothers estimate that they’ve spent over 760,000 hours on the construction – with supplies costing around $39 million.
Instagram
All their time and money seems to have paid off though! Miniatur Wunderland has been voted the most popular tourist attraction in Germany!
Instagram
Even better, for anyone lucky enough to visit more than once, chances are good that the railway will look drastically different than before. Frederik and Gerrit are constantly upgrading their passion project by adding in new features, worlds, and electronics.
Instagram
Whether you like model trains or not, there’s no denying that Miniatur Wunderland is a work of art! We can’t wait to see what Frederik and Gerrit add next!
See more of this incredible railway on their website or Instagram, and don’t forget to share this story with your friends.
Want to be happier in just 5 minutes a day? Sign up for Morning Smile and join over 455,000+ people who start each day with good news.