MRSI Dublin Show - October 29-31st 2022

[The Derry Road]

Totally agree Nick, great to see everything in person what is available, but I'm heading  to Cultra  (Belfast) for the model railway day in two weeks and also to Birmingham for the Warley show in four weeks time, I had booked these early this year so have to restrict expenditure, so maybe next year. TDR

[Nick]

28 minutes ago, The Derry Road said:

Totally agree Nick, great to see everything in person what is available, but I'm heading  to Cultra  (Belfast) for the model railway day in two weeks and also to Birmingham for the Warley show in four weeks time, I had booked these early this year so have to restrict expenditure, so maybe next year. TDR

I'll also be at Warley, bet I'll catch a few of us over there!

[The Derry Road]

40 minutes ago, Nick said:

I'll also be at Warley, bet I'll catch a few of us over there!

No doubt, I know of a few whom will be attending TDR

[DJ Dangerous]

3 hours ago, Nick said:

Working on that as we speak, the quality is processing, it will be in 4k later. 
 

 

05:40 - When's the gauge 1 22000 due out?

[jhb171achill]

Great to see so many familiar faces today at Raheny, and some of the regulars on here who I had not previously met in person.... congratulations to the organisers, and by the number of IRM, Mark's Models, and other carrier bags walking out the door, it looks as if sales were busy............  as if it's any wonder, given all the new stuff!

[Flying Snail]

14 minutes ago, jhb171achill said:

Great to see so many familiar faces today at Raheny, and some of the regulars on here who I had not previously met in person.... congratulations to the organisers, and by the number of IRM, Mark's Models, and other carrier bags walking out the door, it looks as if sales were busy............  as if it's any wonder, given all the new stuff!

Are there any/many of the stands not taking card payments? Just wondering if I need to bring my piggy bank tomorrow or if I can max out herself's credit card instead

[Blaine]

1 hour ago, Flying Snail said:

Are there any/many of the stands not taking card payments? Just wondering if I need to bring my piggy bank tomorrow or if I can max out herself's credit card instead

Safer to bring money, just in case. Will always be the one you want stuff from 

[connollystn]

I recommend a visit to the cafe - the scones were very tasty, the Accurascale 37 and 31 looked very tasty also (not available in the cafe).

[Noel]

13 hours ago, Nick said:

Working on that as we speak, the quality is processing, it will be in 4k later. 
 

 

Thanks for uploading and posting. It was as good as being at the show. Great coverage.

[Noel]

5 hours ago, connollystn said:

I recommend a visit to the cafe - the scones were very tasty, the Accurascale 37 and 31 looked very tasty also (not available in the cafe).

Have a 37 on order to haul my BR ex-LMS coaching stock. In the meantime the superb Deltic will do.

[Blaine]

Final Day of the Show is today

Still plenty to see and buy

[Flying Snail]

On 30/10/2022 at 3:09 AM, connollystn said:

I recommend a visit to the cafe - the scones were very tasty, the Accurascale 37 and 31 looked very tasty also (not available in the cafe).

I'll second the cafe recommendation - I had the barmbrack because of the weekend thats in it   - I didn't get the ring or the coin but my wallet was convinced I got the oul rag after I came away from the stands with all my goodies! 

Thoroughly enjoyed the day - had as much fun chatting with the exhibitors as I had watching the excellent exhibits!

[Westcorkrailway]

My favurite had to be “Castletown” inspite of the 6 wheelers not Co-operating 

[Georgeconna]

On 29/10/2022 at 7:41 PM, Nick said:

Working on that as we speak, the quality is processing, it will be in 4k later. 
 

 

Nice one on the video, Was planning to go up with my Dad but a deadly case of man flu struck so stayed put.  Balls as Marks had some O gauge stuff for me too. Ah well.

On the plus side saved 70 notes worth of Diesel so that will go on summit else no doubt as going to Scale Model World in Telford in 2 weeks time.

Edited October 31, 2022 by Georgeconna

[DartStation]

On 29/10/2022 at 9:01 PM, The Derry Road said:

Totally agree Nick, great to see everything in person what is available, but I'm heading  to Cultra  (Belfast) for the model railway day in two weeks and also to Birmingham for the Warley show in four weeks time, I had booked these early this year so have to restrict expenditure, so maybe next year. TDR

Morning Raymond, Kildare Station will be at Cultra so see you then 

[Patrick Davey]

Some photos from Day 3 of the show.  Lovely to be back at a show after three years and to meet so many icons of the railway modelling world and of this forum, such as the legend that is Mr. Paddy Murphy, along with @jhb171achill and @leslie10646 !!

Some nice dioramas too including a comparison between the Clontarf of 1014 and the Clontarf of 2014, very clever!

 

 

Two videos from the show:

Rathmichael, by Wexford Model Railway Club:

 

 

And Kildare, by South Dublin Model Railway Society:

 

 

 

 

[The Derry Road]

1 hour ago, DartStation said:

Morning Raymond, Kildare Station will be at Cultra so see you then 

Great to hear, look forward to seeing it, TDR

[WRENNEIRE]

On 31/10/2022 at 10:34 AM, Westcorkrailway said:

My favourite had to be “Castletown” in spite of the 6 wheelers not Co-operating 

Had terrible trouble with 2 OO Works J15's
Considering what was paid for them and further expense having them DCC fitted and weathered I would not be recommending these models for exhibitions
Ran them in when they were purchased for 20 mins in both directions and then had the work carried out
They were run , with short breaks in between, for about 2 hours on Saturday before showing signs of failure
Again on Sunday more trouble, look liked the locos had completely seized
In between we ran some of MM's 121's with no problems at all
Really really disappointed with these OO works models   

[Westcorkrailway]

11 minutes ago, WRENNEIRE said:

Had terrible trouble with 2 OO Works J15's
Considering what was paid for them and further expense having them DCC fitted and weathered I would not be recommending these models for exhibitions
Ran them in when they were purchased for 20 mins in both directions and then had the work carried out
They were run , with short breaks in between, for about 2 hours on Saturday before showing signs of failure
Again on Sunday more trouble, look liked the locos had completely seized
In between we ran some of MM's 121's with no problems at all
Really really disappointed with these OO works models   

Some photographs would be handy, my little tank engine sounds like it had a similar diagnosis

[Ironroad]

I'm curious to know who built and displayed the diorama of the railway access across the Royal Canal to the North City Mills just west of Cross Guns Bridge in Phibsborough. I know the location well and this is really captures the essence of it..

[WRENNEIRE]

3 minutes ago, Ironroad said:

I'm curious to know who built and displayed the diorama of the railway access across the Royal Canal to the North City Mills just west of Cross Guns Bridge in Phibsborough. I know the location well and this is really captures the essence of it..

A MRSI member, Michael Delaney.
He has made some serious layouts/ dioramas over the years including his one of Fort Camden which is displayed at their Annual show, next one next August I believe.

[Ironroad]

2 minutes ago, WRENNEIRE said:

A MRSI member, Michael Delaney.
He has made some serious layouts/ dioramas over the years including his one of Fort Camden which is displayed at their Annual show, next one next August I believe.

Thank you, good to know, it's excellent. My visits back home don't always coincide with exhibitions but next August is a possibility. Enjoyed meeting you in Bray last time I was over..

[Horsetan]

6 hours ago, WRENNEIRE said:

Had terrible trouble with 2 OO Works J15's
Considering what was paid for them and further expense having them DCC fitted and weathered I would not be recommending these models for exhibitions
Ran them in when they were purchased for 20 mins in both directions and then had the work carried out
They were run , with short breaks in between, for about 2 hours on Saturday before showing signs of failure
Again on Sunday more trouble, look liked the locos had completely seized
In between we ran some of MM's 121's with no problems at all
Really really disappointed with these OO works models   

'Tis true what they say: you should never meet your heroes. You'll only be disappointed.

[ttc0169]

Well done to all concerned with organising the exhibition after a difficult few years -the main hall was a bit cramped,but enjoyed the layouts-Rathmichael,Castletown,Kildare and Bill’s Donegal layout were the favourites,

It was a shame that Chris Dyer didn’t make it-(through no fault of his own)

Enjoyed meeting the usual suspects,

IRM,Murphy models were perfectly placed in the main room,

Roll on Blackrock in 2023  

 

[Blaine]

On 29/10/2022 at 4:59 PM, Westcorkrailway said:

I must say it was comical seeing lads go to the show, buy the discounted wagons and leave. I arrived at 11 and multiple people had already stocked themselves with wagons and left….at 11 on the dot! 
 

 

Another first for an Irish Model Railway Exhibition 

A common sight across the water when certain new models are released at shows there

[Noel]

Didn’t make it to the show but enjoyed reading about it here and especially enjoyed the video posted a few days ago. Almost as good as being there.

[Blaine]

On behalf of the organising committee for the Model Railway Society of Ireland Model Railway Exhibition we would like to thank everyone for attending our 2022 exhibition which exceeded all expectations and ensured that the annual Model Railway Exhibition in Dublin is back

 

Attendance figures were approximately 2000 in total over the 3 days with Saturday and Sunday having similar attendance figures with slightly lower on Monday.

 

The few issues we experienced over the weekend were part of our learning curve and we will endeavour to make things better and smoother in 2024

 

We were down 25% floor space in 2022 compared to 2018 and negotiations for space elsewhere on the premises ultimately let to nothing sadly

 

Even the largest of exhibitions (e.g. Warley on a Saturday) get overcrowded

 

This was also possibly the last show to be held in St Pauls College, Raheny as we feel the event has now outgrown the venue - any changes to the venue for the future will be communicated well in advance

 

Edited November 6, 2022 by Blaine

[dave182]

It is great to see such interest in the show, and I do believe the hobby is alive and well. I am glad to see it acknowledged by the organisers that the show has possibly outgrown the venue. Don't get me wrong- the college has served the hobby fantastically well over the years (how many years anyone?!) and the show has always been an enjoyable event. Regardless of the location, well done to the organisers as always, great to hear it was deemed a success. 

[ttc0169]

Just a thought…..

Would it be worth the MRSI and SDMRC and possibly Wexford MRC and NDMRC pooling their resources and maybe use the RDS as a single venue for future events?

With the increase in Irish railway modelling in this country surely an annual event similar to model rail Glasgow and Warley could be arranged and marketed with the potential of UK clubs being invited to exhibit their layouts etc,

Maybe it is one to discuss for the future. 

[John-r]

Brilliant idea Noel, was at the Glasgow show before covid and was blown away by the amount of traders, layouts and space to walk around freely, a great show,   Warley might overwhelm me completely. This sounds like a  good start?

[Mayner]

1 hour ago, ttc0169 said:

Just a thought…..

Would it be worth the MRSI and SDMRC and possibly Wexford MRC and NDMRC pooling their resources and maybe use the RDS as a single venue for future events?

With the increase in Irish railway modelling in this country surely an annual event similar to model rail Glasgow and Warley could be arranged and marketed with the potential of UK clubs being invited to exhibit their layouts etc,

Maybe it is one to discuss for the future. 

The MRSI used the RDS as an exhibition venue during the 1970s and 1980s, but moved to smaller venues because the cost of using the RDS became uneconomic. Attendances were very good during the 70s but the numbers dropped off as model railway exhibitions ceased to be a novelty to the general public.

Although the RDS exhibitions were drawing good crowds, the exhibitions were struggling to break even and committee members were worried about loosing their homes, some UK clubs had similar experiences with high venue hire costs and the chilling effects of large national events such as Warley on regional exhibitions.

There has been a considerable level of co-operation between clubs with MRSI, SDMRC, NDMRC and Wexford MRC and smaller clubs layouts appearing at each others exhibitions since the 1970s. 

I don't know if there is enough of a critical mass or interest among the Clubs to establish an umbrella body to promote Irish modelling and arrange conferences where modellers can socialise, play/buy trains and visit each others layouts similar to the recent NZMRC https://www.modelrailcon.nz/ , NMRA or UK "Scale" society conventions as opposed to staging a public exhibition.

Edited November 3, 2022 by Mayner

[Warbonnet]

Hi everyone,

Just a short note to say a sincere thank you to everyone who came to see us during the show over the weekend. We are slowly recovering (my voice is still gone a bit!) and apologies if we didn't get to talk to you for too long as we were quite mobbed during parts of the weekend.

Also a sincere thanks to the MRSI and the organising team. It's the first Dublin show in three years, and it was missed by all of us, both traders and hobbyists alike. I think the additional attendance is reflective of the growth in the hobby, and indeed in our chats with Paddy Murphy we can see from our own POV that the market has grown.

On the flip side, I talked to representatives of a number of clubs and they all reported that membership is down since the pandemic. Some seem to have lost more members than others, but there have been big hits in some cases. It is the clubs who organise and run these shows, on a complete voluntary basis for our enjoyment and as a fundraiser to sustain themselves. I think the job they do, particularly in these strange post-COVID times (less people to help out) has to be commended.

As a trader I was there for set up on Friday and clear up on Monday eve, and (I really hope nobody gets offended by this) I saw a lot of weary souls, one or two of them old enough to be my grandfather (and I aint no spring chicken myself). They worked their backsides off, building layouts all year, taking them apart, carrying them up and down stairs, loading vans, transporting them to the venue, setting them up, operating them, taking them apart, then bringing them home. In between that they manned the doors, cleaned up and looked after us traders, exhibitors and the public. I found their efforts hugely inspiring. They do an amazing job and sadly I have seen a couple of people put the boot into them elsewhere (not here!) which must be hugely dispiriting. 

I think if these shows are to continue (and improve, always room for improvement and constructive criticism) we need our clubs to flourish. No clubs, no shows after all. 

So, if you can, get involved. I've always found both Dublin and Wexford clubs most welcoming and fun places to be on club nights, where I have had patient members teach me new skills and spread their knowledge. It's also a place to run your trains if you havent a layout at home. It will be the best way to drive the shows forward by getting involved.

Cheers!

Fran 

[Blaine]

10 hours ago, Mayner said:

The MRSI used the RDS as an exhibition venue during the 1970s and 1980s, but moved to smaller venues because the cost of using the RDS became uneconomic. Attendances were very good during the 70s but the numbers dropped off as model railway exhibitions ceased to be a novelty to the general public.

Although the RDS exhibitions were drawing good crowds, the exhibitions were struggling to break even and committee members were worried about loosing their homes, some UK clubs had similar experiences with high venue hire costs and the chilling effects of large national events such as Warley on regional exhibitions.

There has been a considerable level of co-operation between clubs with MRSI, SDMRC, NDMRC and Wexford MRC and smaller clubs layouts appearing at each others exhibitions since the 1970s. 

I don't know if there is enough of a critical mass or interest among the Clubs to establish an umbrella body to promote Irish modelling and arrange conferences where modellers can socialise, play/buy trains and visit each others layouts similar to the recent NZMRC https://www.modelrailcon.nz/ , NMRA or UK "Scale" society conventions as opposed to staging a public exhibition.

Exactly - We may have enough layouts between the clubs but none of the clubs would have enough people to run them, and do all of the non glamourous jobs that also need to be done - selling entry tickets at the door, selling raffle tickets, fixing issues, working in the exhibitor/public canteen, cleaning toilets, manning doors etc.

Between the bigger clubs (in Ireland as an island and elsewhere) there is a small group in each that both organise shows and bring layouts to other shows - quite often this is the same group of people, hence no trainset for me this time round, and the last time too

The costs of venue hire coupled with hotels etc currently preclude having big venues and the big bluechip sponsors are not interested. We are very thankful to have the support of both Irish Model Railway Manufacturers having watched them grow over the last few years from small but confident newcomers to rubbing shoulders with the more established manufacturers - and doing better than them too

14 minutes ago, Warbonnet said:

Hi everyone,

Just a short note to say a sincere thank you to everyone who came to see us during the show over the weekend. We are slowly recovering (my voice is still gone a bit!) and apologies if we didn't get to talk to you for too long as we were quite mobbed during parts of the weekend.

Also a sincere thanks to the MRSI and the organising team. It's the first Dublin show in three years, and it was missed by all of us, both traders and hobbyists alike. I think the additional attendance is reflective of the growth in the hobby, and indeed in our chats with Paddy Murphy we can see from our own POV that the market has grown.

On the flip side, I talked to representatives of a number of clubs and they all reported that membership is down since the pandemic. Some seem to have lost more members than others, but there have been big hits in some cases. It is the clubs who organise and run these shows, on a complete voluntary basis for our enjoyment and as a fundraiser to sustain themselves. I think the job they do, particularly in these strange post-COVID times (less people to help out) has to be commended.

As a trader I was there for set up on Friday and clear up on Monday eve, and (I really hope nobody gets offended by this) I saw a lot of weary souls, one or two of them old enough to be my grandfather (and I aint no spring chicken myself). They worked their backsides off, building layouts all year, taking them apart, carrying them up and down stairs, loading vans, transporting them to the venue, setting them up, operating them, taking them apart, then bringing them home. In between that they manned the doors, cleaned up and looked after us traders, exhibitors and the public. I found their efforts hugely inspiring. They do an amazing job and sadly I have seen a couple of people put the boot into them elsewhere (not here!) which must be hugely dispiriting. 

I think if these shows are to continue (and improve, always room for improvement and constructive criticism) we need our clubs to flourish. No clubs, no shows after all. 

So, if you can, get involved. I've always found both Dublin and Wexford clubs most welcoming and fun places to be on club nights, where I have had patient members teach me new skills and spread their knowledge. It's also a place to run your trains if you havent a layout at home. It will be the best way to drive the shows forward by getting involved.

Cheers!

Fran 

Cheers Fran, as one of those organisers it combines the skills of many, a lot of patience along with bashing your head repeatedly off the nearest wall, being trusted with sharp objects and being of sound mind and body - and having the skills of a dozen people, along with finding people with similar skills who are ready and willing to help out over the 3.5 days

Every club is suffering, so if you are local enough to one, join. Not all about trains either, plenty of social stuff too, meet like minded individuals, learn new skills that are useful outside of the model railway hobby too. Reading a lot of 'I don't have the skills to do that'-  join your local club and learn these skills. Quite often they are a lot more straightforward than you think, be it weathering, scenery or making baseboards, along with everything else

https://www.modelrailways.ie/clubs - details all of the current clubs in Ireland along with the MRSI itself. Membership of the MRSI for 2023 is a mere €70 - probably the cheapest and best investment you will make of all your model railway investments in a year - works out at €1.34 a week........

[Niles]

As one of the stallholders over the weekend, have to say we couldn't have asked for more. I know @Blaine & team were run off their feet but put on a top class show nonetheless. It was a great social event too, seemed to good vibes all round.

Having worked in the Commercial Events sector, I can confirm that venues like RDS, Convention Centre etc are likely to be well out of reach of the budgets of most voluntary organisations these days (In fact, I know of Event companies that would struggle to justify their hire).

Actually, I can think of at least one 'big business' that lost money on RDS events, and these would have had big sponsorship...

Edited November 3, 2022 by Niles
fix

[Broithe]

47 minutes ago, Niles said:

As one of the stallholders over the weekend, have to say we couldn't have asked for more. I know @Blaine & team were run off their feet but put on a top class show nonetheless. It was a great social event too, seemed to good vibes all round.

Having worked in the Commercial Events sector, I can confirm that venues like RDS, Convention Centre etc are likely to be well out of reach of the budgets of most voluntary organisations these days (In fact, I know of Event companies that would struggle to justify their hire).

Actually, I can think of at least one 'big business' that lost money on RDS events, and these would have had big sponsorship...

It's not always possible, but you can sometimes find 'non-dedicated venues', in places that aren't really intended for that purpose.

I used to run a few outdoor car rallies at places around the English West midlands, Weston Park, etc.

These, of course tended to be in the 'middle half' of the year, for weather reasons. It was suggested that a mid-winter event would be a worthwhile thing, if we could find somewhere 'indoors' that was viable.

I had a bit of leverage at the local RAF station, which turned out to be very efficient leverage, and they agreed to provide us with a large shed, by driving the wagons stored in there outside for the day.

Amusingly, given the state of my passport and the fact that the first event took place on the day before the launch of Desert Storm, I was entrusted with the 'security' for the event - this went as far as me being given three armed squaddies to scan the entrants and their vehicles, once I had identified them as verified entrants*.

There were a few people I considered having bumped off, but it would have looked bad in the rally report.

 

Anyway, the point is that a bit of thought just might come up with a viable alternative...

 

*There was a small 'alert' when one on the Morris Travellers approaching was not on my registration list, and the chap driving did not have the paperwork I would have sent to his home address, had he been a 'real entrant' - he did however offer me a 1250, an RAF ID card - not knowing him, I didn't read it properly and just called the corporal over with "I think this is one of yours!" - this turned out not to be standard procedure, as the driver was the station CO...