As I said in an earlier post- there are a lot of exhibition layouts around in Germany- and LOXX in Berlin is another great example. Of course this layout was on my agenda while visiting the German capital. LOXX has always been in the shadow of MIWULA in Hamburg- be it for the smaller size or the lack of aggressive marketing.

Anyways, the layout is definitely worth a visit. According to LOXX the actual size of the model train layout is about 6500 sqft/600m² with about two thirds featuring scenes from Berlin while the rest resembles some sort of mountainous area. At the moment the team is working on an extension showing the new parts of the government district in Berlin with the modern Central Station!

Comparing layouts is always a very subjective endeavor. Nevertheless I think that LOXX is not getting the acknowledgment it deserves. Be it for a better focus on actual prototypes, wider, sweeping curves or the stunning, detailed catenary installation- the builders and operators do a good job bridging the gap between the expectations of model railroaders and the non-train buff crowd. All in all this exhibition is not that crowded- also because the location on the third floor of a downtown shopping mall provides wider space for aisles.

If I were you…

I’d make Berlin a stop an any trip to Germany. While there take a couple hours to visit LOXX at Alexanderplatz.

• LOXX is conveniently located at the top floor of the Alexa shopping mall right next to the Alexanderplatz and the famous television tower (also featured on the layout). Fun fact: During the DDR regime, people referred to the tower as “God’s index finger” as sunlight got reflecting as a cross in the ball in the middle of the structure.
• Hours: every day from 10:00am to 8:00pm (as of 2016)
• Admission: about 13,- EUR for adults (as of 2016)
• Restrooms and a snack bar are within the LOXX premises but there are a ton of options at the Alexa mall food court.
• From the northwest corner of the the second floor trains on the Stadtbahn can be watched going to and from nearby Alexanderplatz Station.
• Go up to the viewing platform of the “Fernsehturm Berlin” ! Not only to enjoy the great view of the German capital but also to watch long distance trains as well as S-Bahn units sneaking along the Stadtbahn!