Impressions of the 1:22.5 scale tram layout at the Hanover Tram Museum.

The interest group of 1:22.5 scale model tram enthusiasts operates its own tram layout at the Hanover Tram Museum (HSM). Over the past 30 years, a number of diligent and creative minds have steadily expanded the operational possibilities for their scratch-built tram models—evolving from makeshift setups on folding wallpaper tables and portable modules to the group´s current, permanently installed layout housed in a 16 x 28-meter room within the HSM. Approximately once a month, on Sundays, they conduct running sessions for museum visitors and welcome lively interaction with fellow enthusiasts.

Please click on the images to enlarge the views.

The "building blocks" of the layout are the originally portable Gauge IIm modules "Betriebshof Blenkersburg"—built by Helmut—and "Dornberg Depot"—created by Reinhard. Along the entire route, existing modules were connected with extensions to form the current layout. The last major expansion was the "Dogbone" section—constructed in 2021/22—located between Waldhof-Süd and Piesteriz Mitte. I equipped this section with a modern overhead catenary system modeled after the ÜSTRA prototype. These additional 50 meters of track were constructed as a dual-gauge track, accommodating both Gauge IIm (45 mm) and Gauge II (64 mm). While the older section of the IIm layout still features various R1 radii (600 mm), the dual-gauge track is consistently laid out using the larger R2 radius (765 mm). Anyone wishing to give their own tram models a bit of a run is always warmly welcome.

PS: In 2025, a direct connection was established between Waldhof Süd and Waldhof Kehre.

A video tour of the tram layout operated by the Interest Group of Model Tram Enthusiasts (Scale 1:22.5) at the Hanover Tram Museum, 2024.