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

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

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

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

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.