Märklin supports the non-profit DKMS in the fight against blood cancer
Together with the Wacken Open Air festival, the model railway manufacturer Märklin auctioned an exclusive model train that had been specially produced for presentation at the world-famous metal festival.
Through Catawiki, one of Europe’s leading online marketplaces, auction proceeds of €12,000 were achieved. The amount will now go to the non-profit organization DKMS, which works worldwide for patients with blood cancer and registers potential stem cell donors. Andrea Autenrieth, Head of Donor Recruitment at DKMS, accepted the check during a meeting at Märklin in Göppingen.
Cooperation with AC/DC
“Märklin rocks the rails” – this was the motto of Märklin’s 2025 cooperation with one of the most successful rock bands of all time: AC/DC. The first limited-edition “AC/DC Rock ’n’ Roll Train” in H0 scale delighted both hard rock fans and model railway enthusiasts. It therefore made perfect sense to meet heavy metal fans directly at the legendary Wacken Open Air and present model railways there.
Märklin one-of-a-kind
The item that has now been auctioned is the original “Devil Train” in G scale with glowing horns, which attracted a great deal of attention at Wacken Open Air 2025. “This unique piece in G scale was one of the most photographed motifs at the event,” said Märklin target group manager Ulf Bovensmann, who represented Märklin at the heavy metal festival for the first time from July 30 to August 2, 2025. “DKMS was promoting stem cell donation on the festival grounds using swab kits, and that’s how the idea came about to have the Devil Train signed and then auction it off for this good cause, which can save lives.”
Auction winner visits Göppingen
The highest bidder and thus winner of the extraordinary collector’s item is 25-year-old Philipp Schlampp. He was overjoyed when Märklin CEO Wolfrad Bächle personally thanked him at the company’s headquarters in Göppingen and presented him with the RhB multiple unit ABe 4/16 “Capricorn” with two RhB intermediate cars in the distinctive Wacken design, as well as an official certificate confirming the authenticity and uniqueness of the hand-built model.
For the new owner of the Devil Train, “a dream came true,” said Philipp Schlampp after the meeting, which included a tour of the Märklin production facilities. This was followed by a journey of discovery through the Märklineum with a few friends. The company’s own museum offered exciting insights into Märklin’s history through interactive media technology and creative staging, and captivated the young group of visitors with a model railway exhibition.
Source: Press Release Simba Dickie Group GmbH