Pandemic keeps German model trains chugging along

Model train enthusiast Gerhard Berndt explains details of his layout in his living room in Berlin. Gerhard Berndt's model railway has been three decades in the making, but this year it's been full steam ahead for the 72-year-old Berliner. The retired carpenter has had more time on his hands in 2020 due to coronavirus restrictions and has dedicated that time to build up the intricate model village in his living room. After years of stagnating sales, the model railway market has seen a boost in 2020, due to the restrictions imposed during the Coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic.

Model train enthusiast Gerhard Berndt poses with one of his locomotives in his living room in Berlin.

Model trains and other vehicles are seen in model train enthusiast Gerhard Berndt's "train cabinet", in his living room. "This stuff takes time. And I have used that in this corona situation," said Berndt, who would otherwise be too busy jetting off to railway conventions to spend hours a day working on his hobby.

Berndt is one of many Germans who have turned to model railways and other analogue toys this year as restrictions to curb the spread of Covid-19 leave them looking for ways to entertain themselves and their families at home.

As a result model train sales have surged. Forecasts from the Association of German Toymakers (BVS) predict total turnover for the toy industry will be 3.7 billion euros ($4.5 billion) in 2020, an increase of eight percent on last year. The boost is being driven by board games and puzzles, outdoor toys and construction kits, according to the BVS.

A likeness of East Germany's longtime leader Erich Honecker waves to wellwishers from a train in model train enthusiast Gerhard Berndt's "train cabinet", in his living room in Berlin .The country's toy market grew 11 percent, or 172 million euros, on-year in January-October, according to the market research company npd Group. Germany has the largest toy industry in Europe in terms of both employment and turnover, accounting for a quarter of all people employed in the EU toy industry.

The country's toy market grew 11 percent, or 172 million euros, on-year in January-October, according to the market research company npd Group. Germany has the largest toy industry in Europe in terms of both employment and turnover, accounting for a quarter of all people employed in the EU toy industry.

A Mitropa dining carriage, complete with model waiters, is seen in model train enthusiast Gerhard Berndt's "train cabinet", in his living room.

Model train enthusiast Gerhard Berndt poses in his living room next to his layout (L) and his model cabinet (R) in Berlin.

That is certainly true for Berndt, who bought a starter kit for 30 deutschmarks with his first paycheck and has never looked back. Today, his model with 30 trains, 300 figures and fully functioning miniature street lamps takes up the whole of his living room - but if virus rules are eventually lifted, it can be winched up to the ceiling to make space for normal life.