There's a very nice place (the owner even speaks a little English) just around the corner from the HBf. All you got to do is cross Bahnhofstrasse, turn right, walk a block or so and it will be right in front of you.

Seriously, though, it might be helpful to know where you are going to be so that we can recommend places in the area.

Your question would be akin to me giving you a LA address for a bagel shop when you are going to be in Brooklyn (NY).

(and just to set the record straight, the best bagels are here in Montreal!)

Once you provide more details (ie Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Berlin, etc), I can provide you with a more exact recommendation

Regards

Mike C

My guess is that Marklin stores in Germany are like pubs in Australia - one on every corner..

"Gleis 11" at Munich is a very good adress. Also try "Cesar", located at Orleansstraße, about one block from the Ostbahnhof - http://]http://www.modellbahncentrum.de

Karstadt also has an own model train department. It's just on the other side of the street from the Central Station.

From time to time, there are also auctions and model train markets at "Blumengroßmarkthalle" (central flower market halls), but also in Planegg, Gröbenzell and Dachau. Just check "Bahn-Termine" at http://www.mucis.de

Unfortunately, I haven't attended any of these auctions and markets yet.

Regards,
Florian

A few baisc tips: Eastern Germany is a DC and TT gauge stronghold. If you are on the look for AC stuff, Eastern Germany (except the area which once was Western Berllin) is not the best adress.

On the other hand, most of Western Germany (except Bavaria) is "AC land". In most shops, you fill find a nice assortment of Märklin and other AC brands there. Real Märklin strongholds are Baden-Württemberg and Northrhine-Westphalia. There, you even have the chance to meet model railroaders who are stil Märklin purists (i.e. people who won't accept any other brand of trains on their layouts).

Bavaria is DC land, most shops, have Märklin and other AC stuff in stock. However, there are also a few shops who don't stock Märklin at all.

There are also still many toy shops with a model train department - however, they often only stock the major brands like Märklin, Roco, Faller etc. Just be aware you won't find the products of firms of small or specialized manufacturers (like Alphatrains or ACME, as an example) in those shops.

There are also several second hand dealers, or regular dealers who also stock some second hand stuff. But have a look at the prices, before you're going to buy something there. Especially older Märklin and Trix Express stuff is often overprized there (for example, 50 € for a 24 cm coach are quite to much). Model train markets or Ebay often are a better adress to buy used stuff. However, there are a few second hand dealers in Berlin with good prices and a large choice.

Regards,
Florian

Sadly, their online shop is rubbish!

Pete

http://www.modellbahnboerse.org/ (click on "Börsentermine" and then on the desired month)
German only, but dates and addresses don't need much translation ...
Exhibitions are marked with orange.