Steam locomotive and ho scale trains: Model railroad operation session in Virgental by Wim de Zee

The Maerklin model railway layout called “Virgental” is one of those few private model train layouts that you can spend hours looking at. Although the model railway layout was built by the Dutch model railroader Wim de Zee in the Netherlands, it is based on the German Federal Railway in Era III (1945 to 1970) with many steam locomotives and thousands of details.
Since early childhood, Wim de Zee has been fascinated by model railroading and railway modelling. Twelve years ago, he started building a superb dream layout. The basic idea was a valley with several bridges on top of each other. After some searching on the Internet, he came across the “Virgental Valley” in East Tyrol in Austria, which he liked very much, so he named his HO scale layout “Virgental”.
If you now think that the combination of Dutch model builder, Austrian place names and German model trains has resulted in a motley miniature world without a concept, you are definitely wrong, because on almost every square centimeter of this model railway layout there is such an infinite amount of authentic detail as you would otherwise only know from the famous Miniatur Wunderland.
In 2004, with the help of the 3D planning software “Wintrack”, the design and track plan for Wim’s layout were created, which took over a year. The result is a design that allows trains to run with a lot of variety and, in addition, the silhouette of the town of Virgental can be seen in the background. In the town there is a weekly market, a fire station, an antique market and an imposing town gate.
Opposite is a grand locomotive shed with turntable, depot and coaling station. The roundhouse can accommodate 16 steam locomotives. Furthermore, a small locomotive shed is available for electric locomotives, where necessary repairs and maintenance work are carried out. Finally, the area of the railway depot is surrounded by an enchanting backdrop of houses.
It took over twelve years to build this model railway. First of all, Wim built the superimposed bridges in the Virgental Valley. From here, the main railway line extends to the Virgental Railway Station. The station, with six tracks for freight and passenger traffic and with an additional track for local traffic, is situated in a small curve, so that viewers can enjoy a good overview of the arrival and departure of the trains.
Houses and buildings in this miniature world are products of the popular model making companies. Often the buildings have been modified and always freed from their plastic, artificial appearance with the help of additional colours. However, there are also buildings made of cardboard, such as the baggage handling area near the station. The tractor workshop, a large bridge and shops built into the mountain wall have been modelled out of plaster.
The model railway enthusiast Wim de Zee loves the details, so all the buildings have appropriate interiors and are located on streets with typical German street names, such as Virgentalstrasse (Virgental Valley Street), Wilhelmstrasse (Wilhelm Street) or Wilhelmplatz (Wilhelm’s Square). In addition, all houses are illuminated and they have their own house numbers. The streets and pavements are made of cobblestones and have been coloured as well as weathered.
Wim’s model train layout runs in automatic mode and is controlled by the Koploper PC programme. All locomotives are equipped with decoders. The turnouts or switches are servo-controlled. Underneath the layout, there are several levels and track spirals with optional switchable reversing loop function. There are also three staging yards or fiddle yards with space for a total of 15 train sets. Finally, Wim de Zee has created a work of art. His model train layout is a masterpiece built in museum quality - similar to the famous works of Josef Brandl or Bernhard Stein.

[@ryanwebb5082]

I admire anyone who takes the time and effort to produce something that transcends even model railways. It's a work of art!

[@richardschippers7187]

Truly stunning craftsmanship! What a joy to watch, especially the details along the tracks, the classic German buildings and the stonework in the tunnel entrances and supporting walls. I can’t stop marveling at it, what an achievement!

[@aden4582]

These are some of the best buildings I have ever seen.

[@balentinesamarripa7793]

You have a fantastic layout, Thank you for all your work, I hope that other generations will enjoy them like I do.

[@bobbyt9999]

This takes detail to another level. Simply beautiful.

[@jitkaferstova]

Sehr schön. Ich liebe Züge-Modellen. Wenn ich es sehe, bin ich wieder kleines Mädchen, wie vor viele Jahren. Meine Tochter hat aus mir sehr Spaß 😁. Grüße aus Prag.

[@moechteichsehen]

An incredibly beautiful, authentic and heart-touching facility. An absolute dream. Congratulations to the builder. Not such a laser cut and CNC madness, as in Hamburg.

[@tonymarazzo289]

Insane. I kept calling my son to come look at 'this' and look at 'that'! The detail us astonishing!

[@svenmartin840]

I felt the spirit of my mother's father. My grandfather. Who drove for the Die Bahn until he retired from there. And I felt my uncle Jim's spirit too. He was a very big railfan. My grandfather drove every train shown in the layout. Very awesome video. And very detailed too. I hope to see more.

[@davidcharlesiannotti3800]

Stunningly realistic layout. From the stone wall, to the buildings, to the doors opening on the train shed, to the turntable, the perfectly weathered cars, including the blackened coal cars, the people waiting for various trains at the station, no detail is overlooked. By far one of the best layouts I have ever seen. And it is further enhanced by the tremendous camerawork. Thank you for featuring this masterpiece. 🙏 🚊🚃🚉🚞👍 Edit. The cab-view rides towards the end of the video where an added bonus. Hope you will be continuing that in the future. 👍

[@pilentum]

Yes, the last scene was a little bonus :-)

[@davidcharlesiannotti3800]

@@pilentum I loved it.

[@jacqueminchristophe8602]

quelle qualité et du réseau et du film à comparer avec ce que fait Mr T P..... d'aiguillages qui n'a jamais été capable de filmer aussi bien! Bravo!!

[@pilentum]

Je connais ses vidéos et je suis heureux qu'il nous présente de nombreux réseaux ferroviaires français.

[@bangfi1865]

This is just beautiful!! The brickwork colours and shading, the weathering,and attention to detail, fantastic, well filmed as well. I've done this era as well, in roco track. Inspiration to improve.

[@timothyweiss5079]

I want to compile a top ten favorite train layouts from around the globe and I can say this one is definitely No.1...

[@richarddarlington1139]

From the opening shot, this fine example of the hobby has a certain texture that draws you in, some how. Really very lovely. Saved for later!

[@MetalMania3DTV-TAS-AUS]

Just love this can watch this sort of setups all day, the diorama is mind blowing 😎👍❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@paktoysreview8377]

This is magnificent, what a layout

[@uwekoch8054]

Realmente una hermosa y detallada maqueta, con muchos trenes/locomotoras variados, muchos puentes y pueblos preciosos. Felicitaciones y gracias por compartir!!👍👍👍💪💪

[@huntervoloshin1190]

Великолепная работа! Замечательная диорама,особенно понравилось - внимание к мелочам!

[@pilentum]

Спасибо!

[@nicolascastanoperez2310]

Excelent model railway video. Quality in every detail.❤❤❤

[@onkelmichl3300]

Absolut spitzenmäßig. Danke fürs Hochladen.

[@user-mi2xu4qw6m]

Super model! Mersi Pilentum!🇹🇷🇦🇿🇹🇷🇦🇿🇹🇷🇦🇿🇹🇷🇦🇿🇹🇷😍😍😍😍

[@TheTouristLine]

This is magnificent, what a layout! I keep spotting things I missed!

[@zz7007]

Amazing. A privilege to watch this masterpiece.

[@MetalMania3DTV-TAS-AUS]

16:28 this is incredible detialing and setup, even the fire in the shed is burning let alone the doors opening remotely just Wow

[@rubensnavajas4060]

Amazing ! Rich in details, seems to be a real world ! Only the pantographs are missing...but do not lose nothing.. ! Congratulations !

[@kokosnood]

One of the best I've seen. Thank you PILENTUM

[@pilentum]

Thanks for watching!

[@RichardWullaert]

C'est d'un réalisme époustouflent 👍😉

[@lottaaction8072]

Wow! I could watch this over and over! Amazing!

[@pilentum]

Panorama Views, Track Plans, 3D Construction Drawings and Images of Wim's model railway layout are available on www.pilentum-television.com/en/steam-locomotive-and-ho-scale-trains-model-railroad-operation-session-in-virgental-by-wim-de-zee.htm !!!

[@cireperso]

Tout simplement magnifique. Merci pour cette belle vidéo et un grand coup de chapeau à son concepteur.

[@andyfiala7500]

Breathtaking scenery👍👍👍

[@giovannitognato6417]

Semplicemente meraviglioso.

[@michelledauvergne6830]

Wonderful and amazing railway ! Thank you very much for sharing !

[@whitedovetail]

Parts of this video that I find interesting is the video shots of all of the overhead electrical cables. There are a ton of them! I would have thought something like that single item would call for several months of construction. Very beautiful work!

[@stephenpowell5912]

Beautiful ,Great video , Greetings from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💕🇩🇪That was a great 39 mins of Classic DDR railway in Miniature ,AB FAB 💕🇩🇪❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@seanpacificrailroad3700]

Absolutely amazing I would love to see a railroad like this in person 😁

[@candycee8634]

Oh my, this is wonderful! Absolutely stunning! Breathtaking! I just love it! ❤❤ I don't even know how one would be able to work on any of this if there was a problem. Masters, absolutely masters.

[@Bruno.Trains]

Superbe film ! Le travail de mise en scène est plus impressionnant à chaque fois, en tant que passionné de modélisme et de films d'animation je trouve incroyable de voir ces deux domaines réunis. Félicitations pour ce très beau court-métrage !

[@lissanne9769]

Absolutely wonderful video. This has got to be one of the finest little movies I've seen when it comes to hobby trains. The camera angles and the moving camera on a train or dolly was really something very cleaver. Audio quality sounded very authentic, and added to the feeling of realism. The layout itself has so many layers and levels that it's just spectacular. There was a lot of attention to detail. Incredible! But my favorite part was the cab rides. Somebody in this video knows a lot about cameras and filming movies. Thumbs up to everyone who made this magnificent video. Thank you so much for this fun ride.

[@robinred1851]

I don't know who is the person behind "Pilentum", but he is known for his excellent model railroad films. Every single film or document is a pleasure to look at. Subscribe on Pilentum and see for yourself. Greetings from the Čech Republic 🇨🇿 and stay healthy 😷.

[@pilentum]

Why don't take a look at my website? If you want to know, who I am, please see www.pilentum-television.com/en/pilentum-television.htm

[@pilentum]

I visited Wim in the Netherlands in September 2021. I didn't know what to expect that day, as I only knew his model railway layout from photos. When we looked at the model railway layout, it was immediately clear to me that I was standing in front of a work of art! I very much regret that I was not able to film all the details that Wim so lovingly built.

[@lissanne9769]

@@pilentum I'm alway happy to see Pilentum's video. All of what goes into making these videos/movies are amazing. But I was astonished by the architect, Wim and his attention to details. Some were so tiny a person could completely miss it. Pilentum's contribution to this wonderful work of art cannot be understated though. You have brought it to life. Especially for people who can't go to see it in person, like me. I cannot Thank You enough for bring these incredible videos to KZbin and me. I have watched every download for five years now.

[@charlini9558]

Una belleza!! Felicitaciones!! 👏👏

[@jhhenio]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 👍 👌 👏 Majstersztyk. Podziękowania i Pozdrowienia dla Pana Wima de Zee oraz Pilentum. (h).

[@Glum1964]

I bet this layout has gotten some likes! Awesome! Thanks!

[@TrainLordJC]

An absolutely stunning layout showing the magnificent views of many beautiful aspects of Germany which I was fortunate to have lived and travelled through in the 70's and 80's. The talent, skills, effort and knowledge in addition to the dedication and commitment to build this fantastic layout to such a degree of quality detail is truly astounding. "Ik neem mijn petje af ". Ongelofelijk mooi! The filming and editing is also world class. Wonderful indeed! Such a pleasure to watch as have all of the videos that I have seen so far from Pilentum. Greetings from the Dutch/Australian Train Lord in South Australia.

[@pilentum]

Thanks for your nice comment!

[@johnpandolfino8663]

Simply stunning work.....

[@igorgavrilov8140]

Красивые макеты и видео съёмка!

[@PaulVerweij]

The best scenery i have ever seen on your channel!

[@pilentum]

Thanks, Paul.

[@j.harryfeldman1776]

Superb videography of a superb layout. Kudos to all involved. Thanks for sharing!

[@pierredelcher2849]

merveilleux ,superbe,vous avez fait un travail de fou ,vraiement mes compliments

[@pilentum]

Merci, Pierre!

[@horsthanetz3652]

wunderschöne anlage, wie echt, super

[@medwaymodelrailway7129]

Nice upload you put together.Thanks sharing.

[@bhankasjat74]

Steam locomotive for namesake, no steam, no whistle, no smoke, no acceleration ... each one running same speed. The detailing is impressive no doubt and beautiful too. At least there should have some click-clack of wheels hitting the track joints reminding of the old era.

[@danielchastanier2349]

Magnifique comme toujours 🤗🤗🤗👍

[@pilentum]

Merci, Daniel!

[@MetalMania3DTV-TAS-AUS]

Thumbs Up number #134 Always beautiful layouts and content have share your channel to many of my friends who love trains like I do, there loving it very much cheers KC Tasmania Australia 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🤝😎👍

[@pilentum]

Thank you very much for the very good comments. Unfortunately, I am based in Germany and Australia is very, very far away. But I would be happy if we could also present Australian model railway layouts on Pilentum Television. Please, have a look at my website on www.pilentum-television.com/en/video-upload.htm to see if we can realise some videos via the "Video Upload" option.

[@MetalMania3DTV-TAS-AUS]

@@pilentum ok will do when I get time, I'll check it out Thankyou cheers 🍺🍺🍺 KC 🇦🇺🇦🇺🤝😎👍

[@nicklucci154]

incredibile ! bellissimo lavoro

[@MetalMania3DTV-TAS-AUS]

Back again for another look ❤❤❤😎👍🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@14jan141]

krása! 👍👍👍❤️

[@scherago]

Amazing!

[@victor-io6dr]

grandioze mooie baan

[@smb123211]

Audio? The problem with most of these train set videos is the intense concentration on one tiny detail after another when we most want is an overall picture of the reproduction. One of the best on KZbin (forget which one) has as its default pic the entire setup. It then visits details but returns to the overall pic which i really liked.

[@pedrocampinopt]

Gorgeous

[@tomaszuczak4092]

SUPER !!!

[@victorivanov8535]

Bravissimo!

[@vany1957]

The décor is really superb, and everything is rendered with a great realism. One criticism though: the trains are too "clean"! Steam locomotives should bear traces of grease on the axles, limestone near the boilers, and the cars should be soiled by fumes and soot...

[@lindycruse]

great attention too detail

[@TheMilo1069]

Excellent video , I just wish you tube would piss off with the pop up adverts all the time

[@joltran3276]

Best intro on KZbin

[@TomCro2022]

Superb! Very very very good video and sound ! Great! Greetings from Zagreb / Croatia

[@miguelangelmachicoti4940]

Buenísimo muy lindo

[@ModelTrainFun]

Really nice layout with lots of details - Nice ;-)

[@dietmarschlichtherle7061]

I love your modell railway...regards from Austria :-)

[@eisenschweinchen5354]

Great!

[@Maschinengirl]

schöne Anlage, da macht das "Fahren" spaß.

[@Schlachtbank14]

Eine Super Anlage, alle Achtung.......

[@ryanwebb5082]

Simply genius

[@grandpaarock]

Fantastic video 👍

[@pilentum]

Thank you!

[@adkest9914]

Top!

[@andyfiala7500]

There are also various camera locations😉👍👍👍

[@jappedut9009]

Awesome set up, beautiful weathering of the trains fantastic details ! But why oh WHY are the panthographs down ❓

[@michelretore4343]

Super réseau

[@robinred1851]

Great video from Pilentum (as always👍) from a fantastic model. I could watch for hours, so many wonderfull details. Would like to see a trackplan from this model. Greetings from the Čech Republic🇨🇿. l

[@pilentum]

Moc vám děkuji!

[@rismul]

Great vid. As always, pity the pantographs electric locs are down. For the rest... 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@pilentum]

...I know, the pantographs... :-)

[@gjaltpoelman9148]

13:22 , the loc loves to shake te roof from the station :-)

[@jean-claudemobaspurn3584]

Une très belle vidéo avec un superbe réseau et merci de nous avoir fait partager cette vidéo.👍👍👍 Jean-Claude

[@pilentum]

Merci, Jean-Claude!

[@pearsooo6972]

Nice

[@themonster921]

opera d'arte

[@pierrenoir8823]

Absolument superbe. Dommage que le réalisme soit un peu altéré par les cahots et à-coups des trains ainsi que l'échelle de vitesse. Mais quelle beauté !

[@raymondleggs5508]

He bought the Marklin, faller, noch, Prieser and woodland scenics catalogue. :-D

[@dannyvanhove8420]

Very nice work. However, I find it pity to see 'the old life' in these kinds of layouts with old cars, horse and cart, people with hats. I was wondering how the landscape should look like if it was a little modernized. The transition would create some great footage too. Still great to see how this is all build in detail!

[@johnnisshansen]

Rigtig flot. Scala er vel HO ?

[@pilentum]

Ja dat is schaal H0.

[@TomDw94]

13:10 pas op , hij komt er tegen :)

[@Christerart]

Stunningly realistic and beautiful setup. Sadly as almost always marred by the inability of the locos to start and stop realistically - always too fast.

[@raymondleggs5508]

Pantographs down!

[@CARANDTRAIN]

Extremely nice. However it is missing some layout diagrams to have a global understanding. The text try to give that understanding but the video does not. Just a suggestion.

[@pilentum]

Please see the three panorama views on www.pilentum-television.com/en/steam-locomotive-and-ho-scale-trains-model-railroad-operation-session-in-virgental-by-wim-de-zee.htm

[@RichyJFilms]

hugs

[@kungfuwitcher7621]

Absolutely outstanding layout and must have taken a few years to build. The details are just amazing right down to the littlest features 👍 Can anybody tell me what those built up bits are on the wagons @10:57. Are they observation platforms?

[@SVSportscars]

They are brake houses. Can't say exactly how they worked. But I got it correct inside is a system to brake the wagon, from times before air brakes etc. Later wagons didn't have them but in some cases they didn't remove them and stayed on the wagon till the end of it's life.

[@kungfuwitcher7621]

@@SVSportscars Thank you for the information there 👍

[@franciscon22265]

Fascinante, en la realidad no funcionaria tan bien

[@jasontaylor9871]

Must have years of time invested just in the power lines alone

[@plaag224]

welk merk rails gebruikt u? ik zit zo te kijken op youtube en zie hele grote spoorbanen en denk dan als ik die prijzen zie van rails dat je al 50.000 euro kwijt ben alleen aan spoor

[@gipskruid]

De baan is uitgelegd met Marklin K rails. De kosten van de rails waren ca 5.5k incl de wissels.

[@ikik953]

wauw

[@paradisefilms3355]

Amazing detail but it seems that rolling stock is always to fast for the scale.