I have been told that it is hoped to host a similar event again this year. Dates and venue have still to be confirmed but it will be in the period 25th to 27th September 2026. If as last year the model railway event will likely be on the last 2 days of the festival.

If anyone is interested in taking part details can be provided to the event organisers at

events@dunfest.com or 0851057566. For those outside the republic the full number is 00353851057566.

The coordinator is Fiona.

I will be there with my T-Trak layout

Mike0

Bit late for many, but if anyone is about tomorrow evening (Thursday) the museum will host a modellers’ “get-together” between 17:00 & 20:00, in which demonstrations of the layout and its highly complex DCC control system will be shown and described. Model maintenance and repair experts will be on hand too, and you are free to view the entire Irish collection of Cyril Fry’s models.

At 8 pm or so, an informal few may adjourn to a local hostelry for pints. See ye there. 
 

The museum asks me to mention that the €10 entry fee (which includes the whole museum) should be booked online in advance as they’ll have no facility to accept payments after 4.30pm, the normal “last orders” time.

St Joseph's Community Centre,

Newline Road, Wexford Town

Y35 A66C.

Hope to see you all there!

While we can't promise any J26 tank engines or D16 4-4-0s*, we can offer a fun, informative day out. The bus is timed to connect with morning and evening services from/to Dublin, and a through ticket is available. Hopefully we'll see some of you there.

https://www.tailtetours.com/event-details/the-achill-explorer-a-bustitution-railtour

*though if anyone wants to fund a newbuild example of either class we'll happily listen 

Incidentally, we (Táilte Tours) recently made another donation to the Cavan & Leitrim Railway towards their Tralee & Dingle carriage project, so while organising tours has become more difficult in Ireland in recent years, we very much feel these efforts have been worthwhile. 

https://www.downrail.co.uk/event/diesel-gala/

Location : Bray Wheelers Clubhouse

School Road off Boghall Road Bray

for Directions http://www.braywheelers.com

for more info call 01/4576751or 012851308

Admission 1€ for charity

Tea and Coffee are served

Everything for Model-Railways HO N OO ,Dieast Models,Toy Soldiers ,Scenic Materials,etc.

http://irishrailwaymodeller.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=3&day=2012-4-22&c=1

“More Ramblings from the 80s” by Ken Fox

Our Cork Area Member, Ken Fox, will present to us some of his many photos from the Irish railway scene in the 1980s. There's is sure to be some crackers amongst them especially of scenes now long gone but fondly remembered.

ONLINE ATTENDANCE BY ZOOM

Please click the link below to join the webinar:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/ 89367128855?pwd= dR8ja5jprLID5IfkoZJS2o7tUN1TFb .1

Passcode: 782342

I have just missed a programme about Irish Railways in the 1940s and 50s today, Sunday 19th April 2026.

Tomorrow, Monday 20th, at 1 pm, there is another programme in the series about the Donegal and Swilly Railways.

In the UK, it is channel 71, That's TV 3 Now. I am not sure if you can get this in Ireland, but you might get it in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. I can't see a streaming service yet, but it appears they may be showing more Irish Steam/Railways on this channel over the coming days. 

Regards

Colin Rainsbury

Zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/w/89514528312?tk=qjW52o6FIGVkJBO43Y07w3bDnyzi9SiHDxMYV22xk0k.DQkAAAAU13tOOBZwN0tJRjUyNFF4T0FLRGZfemM0NnpnAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA&pwd=guk6m0TVZMs5ZzJxyvwmQbn828JCCs.1&uuid=WN_xzk-WJfnRRykC4v4SUgeLA#success

Meeting starts at 6pm this evening (17th Apr)

If you enjoy the meeting, and are not a member of the IRRS, please consider joining

Ken Grainger presents “Rhapsody in Blue”. As the name suggests the talk is all about the GNRI, more importantly the famous blue engines of that railway concern, along with other forms of blue liveried stock, road transport also gets a look in. Ken will use slides, all his own and all in glorious Colour, if you were lucky enough to witness Ken's previous talk to the branch in March 2024 on the CDRJC, then this talk, like that on the County Donegal Railway, is one “Not to be Missed”. 

Might see some of you there; hopefully the GNR enthusiasts on the forum will be able to join online if not in person. And IRM might get some inspiration for their next steam loco?

Date: October 24,25th,26th 2026 (Saturday, Sunday, Monday)

Opening Times: 11:00 to 17:00 each day

 Venue - Mount Temple Comprehensive School, Malahide Road, Clontarf, Dublin 3, D03 DX79 

The Model Railway Society of Ireland are proud to announce their next bi-annual Dublin show - to be held in Mount Temple School in Clontarf

Lots more information to follow, and quite a few new layouts are expected to attend, many of which have not been seen in public before. This post will be edited as more information becomes available

This show will see a return of the MRSI's Loughrea layout after some years off the show scene

Lots more to be announced - show invites will be sent out shortly

Sold out but here is times

Train 1

Train 2

Train 3

https://www.downrail.co.uk/event/easter/

"With Lance King In Ireland - 1957 to 1970"

Wednesday 1^st April

Leslie McAllister pays tribute to his late friend Lance King who faithfully recorded, in colour, the last days of steam haulage in Ireland between 1958 and 1970. In this talk, Leslie will concentrate north of Dundalk on the lines of the former GNR and NCC. With many exquisite scenes seldom seen in public, it will be a fitting end to our meetings season.

This is one of the Belfast season of public meetings. It starts at 7:30pm and finishes by 10:00pm.

Parke Hall, Orangefield Presbyterian Church, Castlereagh Road, Belfast, BT5 6BH."

I can't say what the talk will be like, but the images are top class. From GNR steam in full flight, through the last SG3-hauled goods over the border to the Spoil Trains (which Lance took exquisite photos of).

Come along and remember to say hello, please.

Leslie

The RPSI is running a Dublin Connolly to Limerick trip on 28th February, Cravens stock with haulage as far as Thurles by 171, and then an 071 class on to Limerick:

https://www.steamtrainsireland.com/whats-on/106/an-sairseal

Four weeks later on 28th March, Tailte Tours is running a coach tour of the former West Cork lines with photo stops at key locations, a visit to the model railway village in Clonakilty, and the opportunity to spend all day listening to our very own @jhb171achill recount his tales:

https://www.tailtetours.com/event-details/the-west-cork-wanderer-a-bus-substitution-railtour

Just what I needed - something to look forward to! I'm planning to go on both trips and may see some of you there.

Mol

Some of us have to start early. Getting kits and wagons out of the loft is a tiring job, but I had help this year. 'Er indoors broke her foot, so I invested in a Stair Lift, which can be quite useful .....

The guy who sold it to me asked what weight I was - I didn't tell him that I needed it to be able to carry 50 16 ton wagons, the parts for fifteen CIE cattle wagons,  a C Class and a Single-ended Yankee!

North Down Model Railways society Annual exhibition and collector fair will be held at

Bangor Grammar School
84 Gransha Road
Bangor
BT19 7QU

Saturday 28th March 2026 between 10:00 and 17:00

Sunday 29th March 2026 between 12:00 and 17:00.

List of layout/traders attend.

THURSDAY 26 MARCH 2026 @ 19:30

“Archive Films of the 1960s/70s of the Dublin-Cork mainline, plus the Ballinacourty Branch” by Ciarán Cooney

Digitised and restored archive films from the Joe St Leger Collection of the 1960s & 1970s; featuring PWD operations with Metrovick and Sulzer locomotives, followed by early magnesite/dolomite freight trains to Ballinacourty during the CIÉ ‘black & tan’ era; plus glimpses of passenger/goods workings on the Dublin/Cork mainline.

We hope that members and non-members based in the Greater Dublin Area will take the opportunity to join us at the Society's premises for this in-person "hybrid" meeting of the Dublin Area.

Please refer to the IRRS website / Facebook or X (Twitter) for any possible changes close to the date of the meeting. An advisory email will also be sent out to all mailing list subscribers.

ONLINE ATTENDANCE BY ZOOM

Please click the link below to join the webinar:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/ 89367128855?pwd= dR8ja5jprLID5IfkoZJS2o7tUN1TFb .1

Passcode: 782342

YOU MAY BE REQUIRED TO ENTER YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS 

TO JOIN THE MEETING ONLINE

Shame it clashes with the football, and I won't get to see it. 

Hopefully a recording of the meeting will be made available at a later date.

This should be a cracker! 

We’re getting set up for the Iarnród Éireann 175th anniversary of Inchicore Works open day tomorrow! If you’re lucky enough to bag a golden ticket we will see you along the tour. Having seen some of the exhibits we can assure you it is WELL worth attending!

Not a bad backdrop either…

We will be along side the Model Railway Society of Ireland for the day.

Who else is coming along??

Cheers!

Fran

First a snip- from Abrail - Market Bosworth (P4). Turn sound OFF for videos - a very noisy place!

Station building. Note the lack of the infernal combustion engines. EVERYTHING was correct for 1905-ish (I remember it well).

I have never seen a "Lady of the Lake" model in action. No prizes, but why was one of them famous?

The busy yard:

And now, Midland Railway meets London North Western ......

Then this seriously wonderful 7mm layout. Trains came out from a terminal, whirled round the circle a few times and then went back to the terminal; constant changes of trains, shunting continuously and not a single word between the operators - a demonstration of how it's done!

More tomorrow. MOTD is on!

Typical of the English to rob us of the Championship? But they played very well.

Enjoy

The Model railway Society of Ireland are having an open day at the Old Fire Station, Dorset Street Upper, Dublin D01F6V8 on Saturday 21st March 10am to 2pm.

There will be 0 gauge running, bring along anything you like....

The requested itinerary is:
Red Cow Depot – Red Cow – Smithfield Crossover (reverse) – Heuston Middle Platform (reverse) – Connolly (reverse) – The Point (reverse) Use of centre platform requested – Belgard – Saggart – Saggart Reversing Siding (reverse) – Belgard (reverse) – Tallaght – Tallaght Reversing Siding (reverse) – Belgard (route through middle platform requested) – Red Cow Depot.

Tour Highlights
Depart and Arrive from Red Cow LUAS Depot.
Smithfield Emergency Crossover.
Heuston Middle Platform.
Connolly to George’s Dock direct using the 3rd non-passenger side of the delta junction at Connolly/Busaras.
Use of the non-passenger turnback siding at Saggart and Tallaght.
Middle Platform at Belgard on the Tallaght to Red Cow leg of the tram tour. 
 
Photo stops have been requested at the following locations

Heuston Middle Platform
Connolly
The Point – time will be allowed in schedule for a toilet break. 
Saggart Reversing Siding
Tallaght Reversing Siding
 
Tour patrons are to meet at Red Cow Depot at 10.00 hrs for a 10.30 start time. A safety briefing will be conducted at the start of the tour. Any late comers will not be allowed to join the tour. 

Fares    Member    Non-Member
Adult     €20.00    €25.00
Children (under 16)    –    €10.00

Bookings for this outing open on Friday 6th March 2026 at 09.00 and can be made directly at https://irrs.ie/events/outing-the-best-of-both-worlds-luas-tram-tour/

All enquiries should be directed to the IRRS Programme Officer at programme@irrs.ie

Advance booking highly recommended, St. Patrick's Day is traditionally one of the busiest in the DCDR calendar.

For the carriage fans, we'll have the vintage set (GSWR and BCDR) out to make it extra special.

https://www.downrail.co.uk/event/stpatricksday/

6pm on Friday, super slides and a acknowledgeable speaker. If you're near London, come and be there - without live meetings, the London Area will die!

But if you're miles away - tune in - details below!

An unmissable date for folk on this forum and an opportunity to hear two major members speak about their models.

1800hrs on Friday 16 January by Zoom only. The real railway will be covered in the first half and the modelling in the second (about 1915 on).

@Galteemore and the Colonel are talking about the Sligo Leitrim and modelling it, illustrating it with their models.

I'll post more details later when I have the Zoom info. There is no charge for Zoom attendance, but a donation is appreciated, please.

Please put it on your diaries - I expect a sell-out for such a distinguished pair of contributors!

Thanks

Leslie

 

https://www.downrail.co.uk/event/santa/

All welcome!

And they tell me they’ll have choccy bikkies….

The IRRS library and archive are now closed for the duration of the summer.

We shall be reopening on Tuesday the forth of September from 19.45.

Please note there will be nobody in attendance at our premises during this time, unlike in other years.

Thanks.

All welcome!

Santa Express 2025 – 9th Westmeath Milltownpass Scout Group https://share.google/UVh2ZKQOp8hqyRjGX

Preparations as almost complete for our upcoming show - list of exhibitors and traders attending will be shared shortly - this will be our biggest show to date.

Looking forward to celebrating 50 years since the founding of the club during the weekend!

Leslie McAllister pays a tribute to his late friend Lance King, with a selection of Lance’s colour photography taken in the North of Ireland in the last years of steam traction. Leslie witnessed much of what is included, as a schoolboy!

The 1960s saw a halving of the Province’s railway mileage, but not before Lance faithfully recorded train working on the former Great Northern Railway lines. Both the main line from Dublin, the much-lamented route to Derry (which closed in 1965) and several branches will be covered. Steam hauled both passenger and goods trains and saw extensive use at holiday periods - all faithfully recorded. Even a glimpse of the Sligo Leitrim and Northern Counties Railway and the County Donegal narrow gauge lines.

Lance did not ignore modern traction, which appears from time to time during the presentation. A heady mixture of nostalgia at a time of change!

-----------------------------------------

WHERE?

The talk is being given at Marlow & District Railway Society which holds its meetings in Eghams Hall at Bourne End Community Centre, Wakeman Road, Bourne End SL6 5SX, commencing at 7.30 pm. and finishing around 9.45 pm. 

Enjoy a few hours in Drogheda before returning to Dublin again by steam.

Alternatively, if you live in Drogheda, then take a return trip to Dundalk or Skerries.

Or do all three!!

The train will be made up of steam locomotive and our own carriages, complete with the usual facilities of snack car serving a variety of hot and cold items throughout the day alongside our renowned bar car with draught and craft beer available.