Faszination Modellbahn — Messe Sinsheim

Faszination Modellbahn is an international fair for model railways and accessories held at the Maimarkthalle in Mannheim and organised by Messe Sinsheim GmbH. The organiser describes it as 100 per cent model railways and an international meeting point for the model railway community.

It promises many extravagant layouts in every gauge, and says that specialised small-series manufacturers and well-known exhibitors show their brand-new products and the latest news of the trade. The fair's visitor programme has included a free model railway forum with practical information, a children's area run by the Bundesverband Deutscher Eisenbahn-Freunde, and a competition for private layouts run with the magazine MIBA.

The operator numbers the edition now announced as the 12th, and its news pages report on the previous edition, including the result of the private-layout competition. The Maimarkt grounds lie next to the A 656 motorway, and the organiser notes that Mannheim Hauptbahnhof is an ICE junction with S-Bahn, bus and tram connections to the grounds. Messe Sinsheim also organises the Internationale Modellbahn-Ausstellung in Friedrichshafen.

Layouts in all gauges, specialised small-series manufacturers and well-known exhibitors showing new products, and a visitor programme that has included a model railway forum, a children's area and a private-layout competition, as described by the organiser.

Held at the Maimarkthalle on the Maimarkt grounds, Xaver-Fuhr-Straße 101, 68163 Mannheim, next to the A 656 motorway. By rail, take the S-Bahn (S1, S2, S3 or S4) to Mannheim Arena/Maimarkt (SAP-Arena station), then walk about 1,200 m (about 10 minutes) or take bus line 45 or 50 or tram line 6 to the Maimarkt. Parking is on car parks P6 to P8, charged at a flat rate per day. Opening hours are Friday to Sunday from 9:00 to 17:00. The organiser sells tickets online and says the online shop opens about six weeks before the fair; emergency ticket desks on site charge a surcharge and mean waiting. Children up to 8 years have free entry. Dogs are not admitted.