Introducing the gauge N model railroad layouts!
Track N: SceNic Module Group (German Premiere)
The SceNic network was founded by enthusiastic model railroaders and brings together talent and ideas from all over France.
His goal: to work together to create impressive modular installations in which each individual design retains its own identity and personality.
A common standard makes it possible to connect the modules to one another and ensure seamless system operation, while at the same time giving each model builder a great deal of creative freedom.
Today, more than 25 model builders are part of the SceNic consortium and are continually enriching the network with new modules. Since its founding, more than 100 modules have been built and presented at over 70 exhibitions in France.
Each module tells its own story and offers a unique landscape and atmosphere, always with a special emphasis on realism and attention to detail. The variety of modules invites you to travel through landscapes—inspired by numerous regions of France—all within just a few meters: from Provence to northern France, through the Paris metropolitan area, the Ariège, and all the way to Alsace—the scenery is constantly changing and never the same.
This diversity is one of the group’s greatest strengths: Each modeler contributes their own unique vision of the world of miniature railroads. Without any formal club membership, SceNic thrives above all on the joy of creating, sharing ideas, and running the trains. Over the years and through numerous exhibitions, the group has made a name for itself and now brings together model railroad enthusiasts from all over France. Interacting with visitors and other modelers also provides an opportunity to share techniques, ideas, and experiences.
The exhibition in Friedrichshafen marks a new milestone for SceNic and, at the same time, a new adventure that takes our passion beyond France’s borders for the first time! At this first presentation outside of France, visitors can expect one of the largest layouts SceNic has ever built: About a dozen modelers will connect nearly 30 custom-designed modules to create a model railroad layout more than 40 meters long.
Operator: SceNic Modul Group, France – 67117 Hurtigheim
Pool size: 16 x 7 m
Route N: Swabian Alb
Covering an area of 6.5 x 1.1 m and 5.0 x 1.1 m in an L-shape, the “Swabian Alb” theme is brought to life in N scale. In addition to a large quarry for cement production, the layout features a replica of Derneck Castle in the Great Lauter Valley and the “Hohle Fels” World Heritage Site in Schelklingen. The large train station in the center of the layout and the small town with its half-timbered houses are not based on any specific real-life model. The high-quality layout design, featuring significant variations in elevation, captures the distinctive natural features and landscape of the Swabian Alb, with its mixed forests and limestone cliffs.
The layout features a two-track main line with two stations spread across eight segments, as well as two
single-track branch lines that converge at the large “Karlsburg” station. Elaborate switch layouts in the stations, as well as 4 switches for track-changing operations on the main line, allow for varied layout operation.
The layout is computer-controlled and has storage capacity for up to 75 trains in 4 hidden stations. At least 20 complete train sets are in continuous operation, bringing the operations of eras 5–6 to life in an engaging way. Modern ICE and long-distance trains, as well as a wide variety of commuter railcars and double-decker reversible trains, provide a diverse picture of modern rail transportation. In addition, many freight trains (block trains, container trains, and combined transport) operate with locomotives from a wide variety of international rail companies.
The overhead wire serves no functional purpose, but it gives the facility a harmonious overall appearance.
Visitors can walk all around the layout, and the hidden stations are visible. A large second screen allows visitors to view the computer-generated track diagram showing all routes and train movements.
Operator: Eisenbahnfreunde Schelklingen e.V., 89601 Schelklingen
Pool size: 6 .5 x 5.0 m
Track N: Cavallersolaro
Designed by Costanzo Malecore, who also designed the track layout and the arrangement of the station buildings, the project drew on the work of the outstanding model maker Stefano Carrari, while some of the finer details and the station buildings were created by the versatile artist Davide Comba.
The model, “unveiled” in 2025, is set in the period from 1950 to 1970 and depicts a train station on a branch line in the province of Cuneo in northern Italy, serving a village nestled partly in the hills. Despite its small size, this diorama offers the viewer an extraordinary visual impact thanks to the use of appropriate model-building techniques combined with the application of the basic principles of set design and landscape design.
Stefano Carrari has masterfully crafted Cavallersolaro: The diorama is characterized by a high degree of realism and is enhanced by the organic and original use of scenic partitions; it captivates with its skillful arrangement of the scenery, thanks to which the vanishing point is situated in a surprisingly advantageous position, guaranteeing excellent results for both photography and film shoots.
Operator: Costanzo Malecore Private Resort , Volpiano, Italy 10088
Layout size: 1 .75 x 0.75 m (Model Railroad Community Area, as of June 2012)
