Following the activity schedule, Debrecen, Hungary’s second-largest city, hosted both the annual exhibition of railway models and a meeting of the International Federation for Railway Culture and Leasure (FISAIC) Technical Commission for Railway Heritage and Model Railways from 24 to 27 September 2026.
In a symbolic linking of both railway heritage and models, the event took place at an important railway junction in Debrecen, bringing together railway employees from the Czech Republic, France, Germany and Hungary.
A group of FISAIC historians and modellers organised an international exhibition of an interoperable junior modular railway network in 1:87 scale (H0). The exhibition was supported by the FISAIC. Moreover, the opening ceremony was attended by the Mayor of Debrecen and the representatives of the Hungarian State Railways (MÁV), Czech Railways (ČD), German Railways (DB), National Railway Infrastructure Manager of Czech Republic (SŽCZ), National French Railways (SNCF) and railway trade unions.
Over the course of two days, hundreds of visitors came to see the H0 scale interoperable network which consisted of 57 single and double-track junior modules, spanning 44 m in length. Since the modules were interoperable, the model trains of various European railway operators were able to travel across the varied model landscape of miniature Europe.
The junior module was invented and introduced by the French Artistic And Intellectual Union Of French Railway Workers (UAICF) 22 years ago to initiate young people into the world of train modelling. These FISAIC activities initially began with the German Social Work Foundation (BSW), Czech Railways (ČD), and UAICF and have gradually expanded over time, with other countries such as Hungary, Latvia, and Spain having joined with their own modules. For the past 17 years, FISAIC has used these modules as an opportunity to support and help younger generations engage with railway communities, thus enhancing cooperation.
The Technical Commission for Railway Models and Railway Heritage, chaired by Roman Štěrba (Czech National Railway Infrastructure Manager (SŽCZ)), took place on 27 September with representatives from DB/BSW, Hungarian State Railways (MAV) and UAICF/SNCF in attendance.
A highlight of the event was the visit of the Debrecen Intermodal Terminal (DIT) operated by the rail service provider GYSEV CARGO Zrt. It has played a unique role in Eastern Hungary since 2025 as an open-access, combined transport terminal. The terminal is mainly used for both traditional rail freight (automotive) and the handling of unaccompanied transport units (containers, swap bodies, semi-trailers, etc.), providing logistical and commercial support services as well as lifting, loading and storage. Located in the Northwest Economic Zone of Debrecen, this facility is designed to be strategic road-rail connection for freight flows between Eastern Hungary and Western Romania, as well as serving as a domestic hub for block train connections between European ports, hinterland terminals, and economic centres. More details can be found at: https://terminals.gysevcargo.hu/en/company
