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Offline Armando  
#1 Posted : 04 November 2008 20:42:57(UTC)
Armando

United States   
Joined: 21/07/2003(UTC)
Posts: 1,358
Location: Houston, Texas
Hi all,

I will be traveling to Spain (Madrid and Barcelona) at the end of November, and I was wondering if our forum members from Spain could point out some places to visit in connection with model railroading, such as:

Train Museums
Layouts
Model Train Stores.

I will be taking the AVE train between Madrid and Barcelona. I also have a question here. Was this AVE train designed by the French or by the German? To me, it looks identical with the ICE (too bad that Marklin/Trix issued with a plastic body only).
Best regards,
Armando García

Offline RayF  
#2 Posted : 04 November 2008 21:54:26(UTC)
RayF

Gibraltar   
Joined: 14/03/2005(UTC)
Posts: 15,870
Location: Gibraltar, Europe
Hi Armando,

I was in Barcelona a couple of years ago, and I came across several model shops stocking Marklin. Unfortunately I can't remember names or addresses, but at least 2 shops were right in the city centre on one of the main shopping streets.

The AVE is based on the ICE design, I believe, so definitely German designed.

Ray
Ray
Mostly Marklin.Selection of different eras and European railways
Small C track layout, control by MS2, 100+ trains but run 4-5 at a time.
Offline orubias  
#3 Posted : 04 November 2008 22:18:16(UTC)
orubias

Spain   
Joined: 30/11/2004(UTC)
Posts: 690
Location: Justo ahí
You can find several Marklin dealers in Madrid and Barcelona.

Above all, I would remark three of them in Madrid; Bazar Matey (Fuencarral, 127), Bazar Horta (Ayala, 108) and González (Alcántara, 32). Nice stock and good dealers, at least the times I´ve been there. These last two ones are one minute walking from each other.

In Barcelona I like Gotthard Trains (Independencia, 351) and Cavall de Ferro (Lepanto, 338).

You have a Train museum in Madrid at Delicias station, with many spanish locs and wagons, some layouts and shop. Nice to see. http://www.museodelferrocarril.org/index.asp

The first spanish AVE (Alta Velocidad Española -Spanish High Speed) is French, an Alstom, now you can find Talgo model in working order, Pendolino, etc. For Madrid - Barcelona there is a Siemens, the new Velaro. You can find more from the 100´s series of Renfe.

Enjoy your holidays at Spain.


Band on the run
Offline Brakepad  
#4 Posted : 05 November 2008 12:29:35(UTC)
Brakepad

France, Metropolitan   
Joined: 25/08/2008(UTC)
Posts: 633
Location: Montlouis sur Loire, France
Hi,

If you have some spare time when you are in Barcelona you can visit the Railway Museum in Vilanova i la Geltru (25 minutes away from Sants Central Station in Barcelona, just beside Vilanova i la Geltrú Renfe Station) which keeps many steamers and some of the very first Talgo's. It keeps also some railway-related items such as models (many scales), control panels, and so on:

http://www.museodelferro...om/vilanova/el_museo.htm

(There should be an operating english link somewhere, but actually it does not work).

Regarding shops:

I would recommend you to visit Gotthard Trens, which has a very large Märklin stock, very nice windows and offers the best Märklin/Trix prices in Spain (some of them are even better than german's best shop ones):

http://www.gotthardtrens.com

It's not in the city center but it's worth to catch the subway and visit them (Hospital de Sant Pau Station, on "Línia 5" subway). They have a very knowledgeable staff as well.

A more close-to-the center option is Palau, in Pelayo street, 50 m away from Plaça Catalunya, which is the oldest railway model store in Barcelona. Some time ago, to talk about model train stores in barcelona meant to talk about Palau. Nowadays is neither "the only one" nor "the best one", but keeps on being "the oldest one" and worth a visit. Nice to see, although usually prices are better in Gotthard (I knew recently that both stores offered the new Märklin BR24 for 99,95€, which I think it's a good deal).

http://www.palauhobby.net

Hope you enjoy your visit. If you need any other information, don't hesitate to ask (I lived in Barcelona for 25 years).

Best regards.

Xavi

check out http://maerklin-back-on-track.blogspot.com if you like to see how old Märklin locos are brought back into life! (in spanish by the moment)
Offline Armando  
#5 Posted : 06 November 2008 00:58:10(UTC)
Armando

United States   
Joined: 21/07/2003(UTC)
Posts: 1,358
Location: Houston, Texas
Thank you all for the valuable information!

By the way, I was not familiar with the IBERTREN manufacturer. Is it H0? How does it compare with ELECTROTREN?
Best regards,
Armando García

Offline Boucicault  
#6 Posted : 06 November 2008 01:21:12(UTC)
Boucicault


Joined: 12/02/2007(UTC)
Posts: 25
Location: Madrid, Madrid
Train museum in Madrid at Delicias station is actually closed due to maintenance works that probably will take
some months to finish.

You can find a list of shops at:

http://www.marklin-spain.com/tiendas.php

My best recomendation is Bazar Matey (Fuencarral, 127)

Regards
David
David from Spain, Marklin, Brawa, continental Europe all epoches
Offline mrmarklin  
#7 Posted : 06 November 2008 04:20:20(UTC)
mrmarklin

United States   
Joined: 27/10/2004(UTC)
Posts: 940
Location: Burney, CA
FYI Marklin actually made a model of the AVE based on the ICE III. I'm still waiting for the three car add on set. :-(

Set is scale length. :-)
From the People's Republik of Kalifornia
Offline Armando  
#8 Posted : 06 November 2008 05:20:30(UTC)
Armando

United States   
Joined: 21/07/2003(UTC)
Posts: 1,358
Location: Houston, Texas
Quote:
[size=1" face="Verdana" id="quote]quote:Originally posted by mrmarklin
<br />FYI Marklin actually made a model of the AVE based on the ICE III. I'm still waiting for the three car add on set. :-(

Set is scale length. :-)


Yes, I know! I even considered buying it, but changed my mind because it is made of plastic (just like the ICE).
Best regards,
Armando García

Offline Brakepad  
#9 Posted : 06 November 2008 12:09:05(UTC)
Brakepad

France, Metropolitan   
Joined: 25/08/2008(UTC)
Posts: 633
Location: Montlouis sur Loire, France
Quote:
[size=1" face="Verdana" id="quote]quote:Originally posted by Armando
<br />Thank you all for the valuable information!

By the way, I was not familiar with the IBERTREN manufacturer. Is it H0? How does it compare with ELECTROTREN?


Hi Armando,

Ibertren was a former spanish brand that went into bankruptcy in the nineties.

Recently, the name (trade mark) has been purchased. The "new" Ibertren has nothing in common with the "old" one, only the name.

Their models are only Renfe models made in china and sold in limited series. Almost all H0, although recently that have advertised some "N" scale items.

First models had some reliability problems (axle shafts, lights). Newer models seem to be a bit better. Detail is good, although mechanical quality is not so high. Their retail prices are very high based on the fact that their models have never been produced before.

I think they match electrotren in detail, are a step behind in mechanical quality, and very far away in price/product ratio.
check out http://maerklin-back-on-track.blogspot.com if you like to see how old Märklin locos are brought back into life! (in spanish by the moment)
Offline Armando  
#10 Posted : 03 December 2008 04:55:28(UTC)
Armando

United States   
Joined: 21/07/2003(UTC)
Posts: 1,358
Location: Houston, Texas
Hi all,

I was able to visit the Railway Museum in Vilanova i la Gertù. What an awesome collection of steam locomotives they have there! I watched also a very interesting video on the history of the Spanish Railways. Well worth a visit!

And what a wonderful city Barcelona is!

Unfortunately, the Delicias Museum in Madrid was closed for renovations and I couldn't visit it.

I made the journey between Madrid and Barcelona on the new AVE. I was a very enjoyable experience.

The Palau store is well assorted and has great prices. They still have the BR-24 at 99 Euros. I didn't get it however, as I am waiting that Marklin reissues it in Era II, hopefully with more detail.

Thanks again for all the tips provided.
Best regards,
Armando García

Offline Brakepad  
#11 Posted : 03 December 2008 11:36:56(UTC)
Brakepad

France, Metropolitan   
Joined: 25/08/2008(UTC)
Posts: 633
Location: Montlouis sur Loire, France
Armando,

I'm happy that you enjoyed your visit and were able to see so many things.

Thank you for your feedback.


check out http://maerklin-back-on-track.blogspot.com if you like to see how old Märklin locos are brought back into life! (in spanish by the moment)
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