I am presently in the process of building a model railroad using Marklin trains. I used to operate American style railroads years ago, but have taken a fancy to European prototypes. After watching you tube train videos, my impression is American modeling stresses operation and European modeling stresses lots of action in a tight space with intricate track work. What are your impressions? Europeans seem to run on many different levels, like in Alps type mountains and deep valleys. American layouts seem to be more on level ground. The Miniatur Wunderland , largest model railway in the world in Munich, Germany is awesome and off course is a big attraction that makes money for it's operators. I guess that's what inspired me to go with Marklin.