This fall, well this week, my daughter will begin studies at the University of Cologne in Cologne (Koeln), Germany.

While I realize from experience that Germany is relatively small than countries in this part of the world, are there any particular Marklin, model railroad or special interests (real railroads) in that area of Germany for a Marklin enthusiast? I realize the DB is all over and that in itself has always been a thrill especially first class on an ICE.

I'm considering flying over there this fall and heading south to Stuttgart to visit friends and onto Switzerland once again.

Thanks!

Larry

There are plenty nice real railroad spots available in the Cologne area.

ICE from Cologne (Köln) by Stuttgart to München is fast and exciting.

The views from the day train down allong the river Rhine towards Basel is suberb. If you have the time you can add the daytrip from Basel over the Gotthard line to Milano.

Or just go to Köln Haubtbahnhoff next to the "Dom" which you'll enter over the famous steel brigdes.

If you prefer a smaller secondary line, take the dieseltrain to Rösrath or Overrath into the hills.

Enjoy your stay!

Gee, thanks so much. Those ideas sound really great to me. I'm definitely looking forward to another ride on the ICE.

Larry

hello larry,
there is a nice lookout at the rest of the old so called 'köln betriebsbahnhof' when you leave by a local train from mainstation into direction bonn, on the left side you can see (if they are there at that time) old e-locos (E03, E10) and coaches from the 50's/60's. you can leave the train at the next station(Köln West) and return and have the view again. if you do the ride at night, you can see one of the very last switching yards with lighted lanterns inold style (only the the first half, the second half is 'modern'), of course you can see them at daytime but it's not that impressive than at night. you can do the ride with a days ticket of KVB or DB for the cologne area and use that for looking around in cologne the same day with no extra cost. if you want to go to stuttgart by ICE and reverse and can accept to be bound to a fixed schedule, you can get a rebate of up to 50% when booking in advance, at least 3 days before but is's better to book it earlier. these discount tickets are limited but if you travel 1.class and not at high peak times (esp.friday/sunday afternoon/evening). if you want to buy 1.class tickets at the counter please note that in cologne there are special counters for that purpose and you do not have to stand in the queue for too long. you can make hotel reservations at good prices (normally) via the hrs.de website (for the whole of germany) (i am NOT an agent of them !!). what you should not miss : have an evening at a typical cologne brewer's house and taste the famous 'kölsch' and if you are ready for it, taste some of typical cologne food... but i would suggest to stay away for that purpose from the tourist area around the mainstation and the dom, you can ask me for other locations if you like....i have been to cologne for 6 years when the business required to do so....
have a good trip

Thanks to everyone else as well. It is great how much sharing goes on in the website.