A world worth looking at closely
Model Trains Fun explores model railways through pictures, films, history and the people who build miniature worlds. Mario’s photographs and recordings at Eisenbahnclub Erfurt 1965 e.V. give the project a personal starting point: tracks, little gardens, stations and scenes that reward a second look.
An earlier website, a new beginning
On 13 September 2026, Mario asked for a new version of his existing WordPress model railway section on mishmash.work. The first local edition brought together nine English pages, 23 photographs and 87 links from his video playlist. It was published under modeltrains.fun that day.
From looking to exploring
The gallery now gives each photograph a page with its title, description and previous-and-next navigation. Videos lead out to YouTube. History, international links and exhibition information offer other routes through the subject; event records distinguish checked dates from planning entries.
Four languages, more ways to participate
German, French and Japanese editions joined the original English site in October. Later that month, a models-and-makers directory and a layout planner extended the project. The planner lets visitors sketch a railway with generic track and scenery; it is a schematic planning tool, not a guarantee that a particular manufacturer’s track system will fit.
Made from Mario’s curiosity
Mario supplies his material, sets the direction, reviews the work and retains editorial responsibility. Aik is his AI assistant, helping with writing, translations, design and code. The miniature scenes shown in the homepage photograph are real model railway layouts photographed by Mario.
Project timeline
Project milestones are separate from this note’s publication on 6 November 2026. Dates follow the project records and Europe/Berlin calendar.
Rebuild begins
Mario supplied the brief for replacing his existing WordPress model railway section with an English website at modeltrains.fun. The older collection predates this rebuild; its original start date is not established by the reviewed records.
First implementation
The local version brought together nine pages, 23 photographs and 87 video links, followed by layout and navigation checks.
First public release
Mario approved publication and the website went live at modeltrains.fun.
Four language editions
German, French and Japanese editions were published alongside English.
A page for every photograph
Individual photograph pages, descriptions and previous-and-next navigation replaced the gallery lightbox.
Models and a layout planner
The models-and-makers directory and schematic railway planner were published in all four languages.
Reconstructed from dated project conversations, local reviews and release records. Earlier ideas are dated only where documented.
Explore Model Trains Fun — English / German / French / Japanese ↗
