Tag Archives: Castrop-Rauxel

The He-Man and Transformers Industrial Heritage Tour or Cora’s Adventures at the 2026 Toyplosion in Castrop-Rauxel, Part 1: Road Trip in the Fog

Posted on September 17, 2026 by Cora

Last Saturday was the 2026 Toyplosion, billed as Germany’s and Europe’s biggest retro toy convention, now in its fourth year. As in previous years, the 2026 Toyplosion took place at the Europahalle in the Ruhrgebiet city of Castrop-Rauxel. For me, … Continue reading →

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Back to the Ruhrgebiet: Cora’s Adventures at the 2025 Toyplosion in Castrop-Rauxel Part 1: It’s Roadtrip Time

Posted on August 27, 2025 by Cora

I still haven’t gotten around to posting the final part of my report about my trip to the Los Amigos Masters of the Universe convention in Neuss earlier this summer and it’s already time for the next convention. But first … Continue reading →

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A Baffled Guardian Writer Discovers the Autobahn – and the Best German Roadtrip Songs

Posted on November 21, 2024 by Cora

In the Guardian, I came across a piece entitled “‘A road trip like no other’: my epic drive on Kraftwerk’s Autobahn” by one Tim Jonze, associate editor of culture. It’s a long and rambling essay about Jonze travelling to Germany … Continue reading →

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Into the Heart of the Ruhrgebiet: Cora’s Adventures at the 2024 Toyplosion in Castrop-Rauxel, Part 3: The Trip Home with Bonus Mineshaft Elevator Tower

Posted on September 29, 2024 by Cora

Last Sunday, I attended the 2024 Toyplosion vintage toy con in Castrop-Rauxel. For the roadtrip to get there and some views of the city, see part 1 and for the con itself as well as my haul, see part 2. … Continue reading →

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Into the Heart of the Ruhrgebiet: Cora’s Adventures at the 2024 Toyplosion in Castrop-Rauxel, Part 2: The Con

Posted on September 26, 2024 by Cora

Last Sunday, I attended the 2024 Toyplosion vintage toy con in Castrop-Rauxel. For the roadtrip to get there and some views of the city, see part 1 and for the trip home and some more views of the city, see … Continue reading →

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Into the Heart of the Ruhrgebiet: Cora’s Adventures at the 2024 Toyplosion in Castrop-Rauxel, Part 1: The Trip Out and City Views

Posted on September 18, 2024 by Cora

I had a big translation job to finish (unfortunately, I do have to earn a living), so I still haven’t gotten around to writing up my adventures at the 2024 Worldcon in Glasgow, Scotland, and the 2024 Eurocon in Rotterdam, … Continue reading →

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