Federal Association of German Railway Friends
The Federal Association of German Railway Friends , abbreviated to BDEF , based in Kaufbeuren, is an umbrella organization for associations that deal with rail transport , transport policy and model railways . It is run on a voluntary basis.
General
With over 400 affiliated organizations and individual members, the BDEF is the largest association of model railroaders and railroad enthusiasts in Europe . For his part, he is a member of the Association of Model Railroaders and Railway Friends of Europe , MOROP for short, which is best known for creating the standards for European model railways (NEM). He is also entered in the public list of the registration of associations and their representatives , commonly known as the lobby list , of the German Bundestag . He is also one of the members of the Pro-Rail Alliance . According to its own information, the BDEF currently has around 12,000 members and was founded in 1958.
Interests
According to its own information, the BDEF has geared its association policy to the following interests:
- Mediation in the interaction between associations and railway administrations or transport companies
- Opinion on transport policy issues
- Participation in international associations
- Cooperation with the model railway industry
- Organization of national events.
Working groups
- AKM - Model Railway Working Group
- To strengthen activities in the field of model railways, the BDEF has the "Model Railways Working Group" (AKM). The aim of the AKM is to provide the model railroaders in the BDEF with help and advice and to receive requests and suggestions.
- AKN - Working Group for the Promotion of Young Talent
- The AKN wants to support the associations with advice and action and support the companies to do more to promote the next generation. For this purpose, workshops for children and adults are offered and suggestions are given on how to carry them out. It is also working to encourage more women and girls to actively participate in the hobby of railways and model railways and to get involved with tasks typical of model railways within the BDEF and the member associations.
- AKV / S - Working Group Transport Policy and Rail Transport
- The working group on transport policy and rail transport stands for those interested in railways who are primarily concerned with the "big" railways. It is about technical aspects as well as the transport policy framework. General transport policy, infrastructural or systemic problems as well as special project and / or location-related problems are up for discussion.
- The members of the working group meet to z. For example, to develop, publish and represent transport policy issues. Furthermore, the working group prepares the positions of the BDEF in questions of transport policy as well as statements from the point of view of the BDEF.
- The AKV / S also prepares and conducts the transport policy forums and excursions at the annual BDEF Federal Association days.
Planning aids
As a service for its members, the BDEF offers planning aids, which are intended as a supplement to the standards of European model railways (NEM) and contain information that is important for model railroaders, but is not (for the time being) included in the NEM regulations. The planning aids are developed in the Working Group Standards (AGN), which is made up of representatives of the BDEF, the Working Group Gauge 0, the Working Group TT (AKTT), the Steam Railway Club Germany (DBC-D), the Interest Group Gauge II and the Saxon Model Railway Association ( SMV) exists. The AGN also works with the Swiss Association of Railway Amateurs (SVEA) and the British Double O Gauge Association (DOGA).
BDEF report
The BDEF report is the quarterly association circular that is sent to members free of charge. Here the members are informed about the activities of the association and the affiliated member associations. Informative articles about railways and model railways are also published.