Nuremberg Toyfair 2015 Report - Part 1

Every year the German city of Nuremberg is host to the world’s largest trade fair for toys, games and hobbies. With 2,700 exhibitors from more than 60 countries displaying around one million products (75,000 of which are new) and 75,000 visitors from 120 countries, it’s a major event by any standards. Over the next couple of days, I'll be reporting back from the fair, looking at trends, new tech and hopefully posting a few photos of interesting kit.

In amongst the cuddly toys, radio controlled aircraft, bouncy balls and action figures is an entire hall dedicated to model railways. All the major European manufacturers are represented, as well as a large number of others from Europe and further afield. From a British point of view, the main attractions are the Hornby International and Bachmann Europe stands, but there is plenty more to interest us, whether it’s new tech, DCC equipment, scenery products (lots of scenery products!) or a glimpse at developments that will hopefully be seen on our models over the coming years.

I’ve been attending the Toyfair for more than ten years, during which time several manufacturers have merged, gone bust or simply stopped attending the fair, but the biggest change has been the trend towards companies announcing their new ranges before the fair via their own websites. For me, this has taken away much of the excitement of attending, but with so many major producers in one place, it’s still a great opportunity to meet the trade and find out what’s going on. Model railways aside, it’s also a real eye-opener to see just how big and diverse the toy and hobby trade is and how imaginative many of the new products are.

For those interested in the new items from the big manufacturers, click on the links below to discover what they have in store.

Web Links

Bachmann/Liliput: www.liliput.de

Hornby International (Rivarossi/Arnold/Jouef/Lima): www.hornbyinternational.com

Roco: www.roco.cc

Fleischmann: www.fleischmann.de

Piko: www.piko.de

Maerklin: www.maerklin.de

Trix/Minitrix: www.trix.de

LGB: www.lgb.de

ACME: www.acmetreni.it/index.php/en/

Bemo: http://www.bemo-modellbahn.de

Brekina: www.brekina.de

Brawa: www.brawa.de

HAG: http://www.hag.ch/de/

Lenz: www.digital-plus.de

Jaegerndorfer: www.jaegerndorfer.at

Tillig: www.tillig.com

Kato/Hobbytrain/Lemke: www.lemkecollection.de

Busch: www.busch-model.com

Noch: www.noch.com/en

Viessman/Kibri: http://www.viessmann-modell.com

B-Models: www.b-models.eu/

Fulgurex: www.fulgurex.ch/en/

Faller: www.faller.de

KM1 Modellbau: www.km-1.de

Auhagen: http://auhagen.de

Kuehn TT: http://www.kuehn-digital.de

NMJ: www.nmj.no

Also see http://www.eyro.ch/neuheiten/ for links to a number of other manufacturers, many of which aren't present at the Toyfair.

Finally, a quick mobile phone snap of two Class 218 diesels taken at Munich Hauptbahnhof on the journey out yesterday. After decades working trains to the south of Munich, the 218s are in their final months of service on regional trains out towards Memmingen, Kempten and Lindau. Their replacements, in the form of Bomabrdier TRAXX multi-engine diesels (Class 245) are already taking over some diagrams. Enjoy the 'Rabbits' while you can!