Matschke Modellbahnen : Always under Steam

The Wuppertaler traditional Train Store presents its self in a new modern store

Specialized stores that only deal in one commodity such as model R&R equipment, that have withstood the test of time for several generation, are very rare. One good example of just such a store is the company Matschke Modellbahnen that has been in business over thirty years. That can look back at a long tradition and still is as modern as the present time requires.

The start of Matschke is a rather strange story. It started out selling optics and as a side line was selling Modelltrains. As time went on the optic department kept getting smaller until such time as this department was closed and Matschke Modellbahnen was born.
Wolfgang Matschke with his wife built the company to a formidable concern in the area of Nordheim-Westfalens. In 1986, after Wolfgang’s serious illness the company was sold to the Richter Spiel & Hobby Group. In 1990 this company had to file for bankruptcy.

Ihr MATSCHKE Modellbahn Team

In 1991 Carsten Laag and Dieter Schierwagen took over from the bankruptcy Court and the store went back to being owner managed. At the same time the catalog that was well known in the train business was again published. The mail order segment of the store was again well received and gained in quality of service to the customer.

Today the name of Matschke again is a name well known in the world of model railroads and all pertinent accessories.
In the year 1991 when Carsten and Dieter took over the store a lot of question where asked, the main one being “Can they really accomplish the task bringing Matschke back on its feet?” In its hay day Matschke had 32 Employees. There was much concern as to whether two young men aged 23 and 25 had the ability to accomplish that formidable task. Even their parents where not too sure about their ability to pull off this challenge. But the banks gave the green light and the rest is history.

The store in Wuppertal is now a name to be reckoned with far beyond the boundaries of Nordheim-Westfalen. In the last few years the store has filled orders for customers in over 30 countries of the world. One of the things they are most proud of is the personal advice that Carsten and Dieter are always ready to give either over the phone or when one is in the store, always with a smile.

Model trains are a very complex subject and the customer expects a high degree of expertise from the person behind the counter which is readily available with the expert help from Herbert Dickten who has been with Carsten and Dieter for the last 15 years. Also, there are three part time employees who also have a wide range of knowledge.
“Try to fulfill every possible wish,” is the motto of Carsten. That is something our customers value very highly.

Besides Model trains Matchke also has a great inventory of plastic models from all leading manufacturer. Matschke has also become quite well known for its great selection of accessories such as the models of the Kirmes-Modelle from Faller. Specially loved are the new demonstration models showing all the functions capable of being done.

With all the new innovations that are now available and in order to present them to their optimum, Carsten and Dieter decided to modernize the 235 qm show room into a new and modern store. This intensive modernization was just recently completed and at the grand opening customers, representatives of the industry, and friends of the local train clubs where all well represented to view the new store theme “Märklin Shop”. As a bonus for the occasion, small repairs where done to equipment and also decoders were reprogrammed with the gracious help from the representatives. Carsten and Dieter had ask for donations from the various manufacturers which where later sold to customers at reduced prices. The result was 400euros which was donated to the project “Modellbahn and School”.

The new store shines and is beautiful but Carsten and Dieter know that this is not the last modernization in order to stay up with the times. They know a time will come in the future when this scenario will repeat itself in order to serve the customer with all the new innovations that are yet to come. Model train buffs are a demanding bunch and are always on the look out for discontinued models. We try to showcase these to our best ability. Besides all the things we do, we also publish a weekly Newsletter and organize on a regular basis special trips on historic trains or trips too Modellbahn-Miniaturewonderland.

Our company motto is MATSCHKE – always under steam.

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