Presse / Press

31st IMA Cologne with competition, international exhibitors and attractive model railways

The 31st International Model Railway Exhibition takes place from 20.-23.11.2014 in Cologne. Exhibiting companies from nine countries (Denmark, Belgium, USA, Austria, Netherlands, Hungary, Poland, France and Germany) emphasize the international character of the IMA. Over 60,000 railway fans from all over the world are expected at the fair.

On track - The greatest IMA competition ever!

In the run-up to IMA Cologne the great"On track" IMA competition can be found on the homepage .First prize is a 'rail cruise' for two on the Rheingold Express. This first class rail journey on the spectacular RHEINGOLDCOMFORTEXPRESS will bringthe winner to scenic and cultural highlights of former East Prussia.The trip in summer 2015 is organised by rail travel specialist DIE EISENBAHN ERLEBNISREISE. The lucky winner will also win two entrance tickets to the IMA International Model Railway Exhibition 2014. Many more attractive prizes will be drawn!

It's easy to take part: Simply upload your best model railway photo or youtube model railway video on the competition page select your photo style, give a short description of what can be seen in the photo/video, add a few facts and figures and submit your masterpiece. All entries that receive at least 20 points will be entered in the draw with the chance to win one of the fantastic IMA prizes.

Exhibitors from USA

"Kohs&Company"from the USA will be exhibiting at the 31st IMA Cologne for the first time. Their speciality: a selection of ground-breaking American locomotives past and present in gauge "0".

Active youth work

Children can actively experience the world of model railways on a 200 m² action area, a communal project run by Faller and Märklin, where kids are introduced to the hobby of railway modelling by playing, building and trying out. Also the Federal Association of German Rail Friends (BDEF) offers interesting projects for youngstersat "Junior College Europe".

Attractive railway layouts

A total of 20 model railway layouts can be seen at the 31st IMA. And they are international! Mike Bisset is bringing his gauge 0 layout from Scotland. He designed and built his "St.Marnock Engine Shed", an imaginary railway layout showing train operations in the 1960s in and around Kilmarnock station (which does exist). Another layout, "Lime Street", comes from Liverpool. So far this unusual model railway in gauge EM has mainly been on show in England. Its signals, buildings and tracks were all built according to original blueprints, with trams and taxis completing the impressive picture.

Further layouts in gauges TT, N, EM, H0, G, 2m and 1 reflect not only the wide variety but also the passion for originality and detail that visitors can expect at the fair.

Live steam and Lego action

The 31st International Model Railway Exhibitionis accompanied by 2 further events: the 8th Cologne Indoor Live Steam Meeting, with tracks in 5" and 7¼" for the model railway giants, and LegoFan Worldwiththe LegoKidsfest, where visitors can not only admire Lego creations built by experts, but also explore the world of Lego with their children. About 500 million Lego bricks are waiting to be put together!

International participants and guest drivers at the Cologne Indoor Live Steam Meeting

80 participants from the UK, France, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Germany and even Japanconjure up nostalgia on the tracks in gauges 5 inch and 7¼ inch. Impressive steam trains travel tirelessly around Hall 4.2, where the indoor Steam Meeting takes place. Numerous British guest drivers have registered and will lend a special touch to the Cologne show with their outstanding and unique models. The Leverkusen Steam Model Friends will be showing remarkable steam locomotives, supported by the English 7¼Gauge Society. The Minitruck-Club Osthessen led by Heiko Möller round off the live steam activities. The Cologne Live Steam Meeting and the Indoor Steam Engine Meeting in Karlsruhe (9th-11th January 2015) give steam model enthusiasts the rare chance to enjoy their hobby in the winter season.

Lego®: Kids Fest and Lego Fan World

At this year's show the focus is very much more on active modelling, so that visitors of all ages can join in, play and build with LEGO ® bricks. Families with children aged three and over can discover the world of LEGO on a surface as big as a football field.

Lego Fan World, organised and run by LEGO® Modellbaufans Rheinland e.V, provides inspiration. This and other fan clubs from all over Germany and neighbouring European countries will prove at LEGO® Fanwelt 2014how multifaceted the LEGO® brick can be - what infinite creativity it holds:"You will be amazed through how many worlds you will be able to travel. See fantastic landscapes with models of existing buildings in mini-figure scale (approximately 1:48), with scenes animated by detailed design. A few steps further and you can plunge into the infinite depths of space, and emerge again to find yourself at a jousting tournament. All these worlds are created by LEGO fans just like you. The modellers will be on-site to tell you personally about their special construction techniques and give you tips for your own projects, or you can visit one of our workshops on various topics such as LEGO® MINDSTORMS or the GBC system, where little balls are transported by crazy machines made of differenttypes of LEGO®. See the GBC models live and in action on a gigantic display area. Be inspired by all these fantastic models and take new ideas home with you to build your own LEGO® world. Are you missing some specific bricks, a whole set or a particular mini figure? You are sure to find it at LEGO® Fanwelt. Whether individual bricks or whole sets - new and second-hand - whatever the heart of the LEGO fan desires.

In the enormous play and build area of the LEGO® Kids Fest can put your own ideas into action right away. We look forward to your visit and wish you an exciting day at LEGO® Fan World."

One ticket for allevents!

The International Model Railway Exhibition, the Cologne Indoor Live Steam Meeting (Thursday to Sunday), Lego Fanwelt and the Lego Kidsfest (Friday to Sunday) can be visited with just one ticket!

Tickets & Opening hours

Dates of the 2014 fair:20.11.-23.11.2014

Venue
Koelnmesse

Messeplatz 1

50679 Cologne/Germany

Opening hours
Thursday 20.11.14 -Saturday 22.11.149 am - 6 pm

Sunday 23.11.149 am - 5 pm

Admission prices

One ticket - 4 events!

"International Model Railway Exhibition" and "Cologne Live Steam Meeting" from Thurs. 20.11. to Sun. 23.11.14, + "LEGO-Fanwelt Germany" and "LEGO KidsFest" from Fri. 21.11. to Sun. 23.11.14 can be visited with just one ticket.

Admission prices on-site:

One-day ticket adult13.00 €

One-day ticket reduced 10.00 €

(Children aged 8 - 17 years, pupils, students, pensioners and other entitled persons with ID)

Child ticket (4-7 years)4.00 €

Children up to 3 years free of charge

Family ticket 30.00 €

(2 adults + 2 own children aged 4 - 17)

Happy Hour ticket 8.00 €

(from 3 pm onwards)

Dogs are not admitted to the fair for their own benefit.

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