The first week of July is the traditional "Insider Treffen" at 'Dampfbahnclub Holstein" in Schackendorf (north of Hamburg, Germany). This is a great event, where many model engineers from Germany, Austria, and The Netherlands are coming. Their wonderful track layout of more than 1500 meters, with bridges, tunnels, double track, big sidings and station roads makes it a great driving experience. There is a signal box (Stellwerk), which you can phone from the line side and request a route to drive, or set the signals and points yourself with switches beside the track. This makes driving and shunting really fun.
It is not only driving that is nice to do, but also meeting fellow model engineers, exchanging ideas, and experiences, and getting technical advice.
The friendly atmosphere, hospitality and great food make this week one of the best steam outings of the season. Although the weather was a mixed bag, we had a lovely time. Many thanks to the organizers of this great event.
