Train Miniature

CHOO ! CHOO ! : The Magic of Miniature Trains

For 32 years, miniature trains have delighted both young and adult, becoming one of the favorite attractions of visitors, embodying the very essence of the park.

Trains played a crucial role from the park's inception, as one of the founders was passionate about railway modeling. They influenced the scale of the park's monuments. The railway network is at scale (1/32), while the models are at scale 1/30 to create perfect harmony with the trains. France Miniature boasts the largest miniature railway network in France, with nearly 3.5km of track spread over 5 hectares.

Discover the secrets behind these little giants

A journey across France

The railway park features 16 independent circuits. Typical trains from various regions are positioned on the appropriate circuits.
A Tribute to railway heritage

Explore models of trains still in operation or those that have disappeared from the French railway network.
From small trains to Grand Amibitions

Our miniature trains typically run at 5 km/h and can cover up to 50 kilometers per day.
A Railway worker's job

Each train is equipped with a tracker so the teams can locate it in real-time via a mobile app and intervene if necessary.

How are the Miniature trains made?

Initially, the locomotives and wagons were purchased commercially, but they couldn't keep up with demand. They were soon replaced with custom models designed for endurance.

Locomotive bodies are crafted from aluminum casting and fitted with custom engine blocks to pull an average of five wagons. Wagon bodies are made from 5/10 brass sheet, photo-etched and folded for maximum lightness. Their chassis are constructed from High-Density Melamine for perfect rigidity and a low center of gravity.

Wear parts, mostly stainless steel, are manufactured using CNC machining by a subcontractor, with at least 800 wheels consumed annually.

New 3D filament printing technologies now enable model makers to design car bodies and detailed components of the new trains themselves.

Trains more realistic than ever

Each train set is designed to represent an iconic operating train, whether still in service or drawn from railway heritage.

After thorough iconographic and technical research, decorations are first established in graphic design to manage proportions and adapt decoration specifics to miniature rolling stock.

Next is the painting process: an Epoxy primer layer provides final touches and ensures good adhesion of the paint. Automotive polyurethane paint is then applied with a spray gun or airbrush, with each color receiving a specific step and masking.

Various markings are then applied either as decals or painted using digitally cut stencils.

Finally, the entire model receives a generous layer of scratch-resistant polyurethane varnish to achieve the desired final appearance and ensure maximum protection against weather and harsh operating conditions.

How do they run ?

Each component of the trains is meticulously designed to withstand daily wear and tear. The construction is robust, featuring easily replaceable elements that ensure longevity and ease of maintenance. Various adjustments are made to accommodate the unique variations and specific characteristics of each track.

Stainless steel rails are powered by a 48-volt DC current, ensuring optimal power delivery and safety, with each rail assigned a specific polarity. Each wagon bogie efficiently transmits current from the rails to the locomotive motors, ensuring maximum electrical continuity while also powering various LED lights throughout the train.

The circuits consist of three-meter rail sections that are seamlessly joined end-to-end using stainless steel fishplates, which maintain precise track geometry and electrical continuity. Due to climatic variations, these sections are designed to expand and contract, necessitating daily attention to fishplate connections to ensure optimal performance.

Regular and thorough maintenance is essential for the trains, given the daily distances they cover. This includes monitoring for wheel wear, ball bearing functionality, brush wear, and electrical wire breaks. Maintaining these elements ensures the trains operate smoothly and reliably, providing an enjoyable experience for all.

European Heritage Days

Join us on September 21 and 22, 2024, for a special weekend dedicated to our railway heritage! Meet our model makers who will reveal their design and manufacturing secrets at the 41st edition of the European Heritage Days.

During this weekend, we are pleased to welcome the AMCF (Association for Modeling and Railway Culture). They will showcase a demonstration circuit for digital control of an HO scale railway network using Arduino microcontrollers and a digital control panel developed by them.

Discover the AMCF

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A word from the Model Maker

Nicolas, Workshop Manager : "The work of a model maker differes from that of a scale modeler: while both aim to reproduce a subject at a reduced scale as faithfully as possible the model maker works on a static reproduction rich in details, whereas the scale modelers creates a moving reproduction, requiring a balance between realism and endurance, our trains are a perfect example."