Fry Model Railway

[connollystn]

Better still, they could start producing some O gauge models themselves - it'd certainly be a quicker way to go out of business.

[Drew]

I just visited the Casino today and I think a fine job has been done and was very impressed, The Irish Railway displays before entering the main room along with some of the Fry collection was excellent.   A huge improvement on The Castle (Why did it close?  Did FCC accept a big offer to build the retail park instead?) as the castle didn't go into Cyril Fry, the man, the modeller and the vastness of his collection.

I agree with the comments earlier on the main room.   The cabinets are good but the room is too narrow to accomplish what is being attempted.   Nice to see the desire here to keep upgrading as the real impact of the castle was the frenetic activity which I loved. I heard earlier how FCC dictated layout over the layout experts but the centre piece is 4 great models but it's a landscape model rather than the original showcase of Irish Railways history.  Bray Head fabulous but lacks information for the visitor on where Bray Head is, why there's an empty tunnel, (Fabulous Models for the builders to be proud of by the way).  Same goes for Malahide,  Mallow.

The screens with the full collection pictured, is I am sure a work in progress with more detail to be provided on why,  where,  when etc.  This is really good but lost in the narrow space unfortunately.  Maybe should be in an earlier room.

Finally, the shop is extremely poor and should be selling rail stuff.    Mad that all it had was a Hornby starter kit along with Tourist Tat.   Why not Murphy Models and IRM stuff plus something to allow the visitor to put together a "play set"  of what they've seen.   Probably Shannon Tourism blinkers I know.

I'd give it all an 8/10, much more of a serious museum than previous (7/10) but a lot of good has been lost of the previous that I'm sure you already know and would love to be given the chance to fix.

I hope nobody is offended here,  I could never hope to do 10% of the quality.  I have no intention to criticise.

 

 

[jhb171achill]

On 6/7/2021 at 9:13 PM, Drew said:

I just visited the Casino today and I think a fine job has been done and was very impressed, The Irish Railway displays before entering the main room along with some of the Fry collection was excellent.   A huge improvement on The Castle (Why did it close?  Did FCC accept a big offer to build the retail park instead?) as the castle didn't go into Cyril Fry, the man, the modeller and the vastness of his collection.

I agree with the comments earlier on the main room.   The cabinets are good but the room is too narrow to accomplish what is being attempted.   Nice to see the desire here to keep upgrading as the real impact of the castle was the frenetic activity which I loved. I heard earlier how FCC dictated layout over the layout experts but the centre piece is 4 great models but it's a landscape model rather than the original showcase of Irish Railways history.  Bray Head fabulous but lacks information for the visitor on where Bray Head is, why there's an empty tunnel, (Fabulous Models for the builders to be proud of by the way).  Same goes for Malahide,  Mallow.

The screens with the full collection pictured, is I am sure a work in progress with more detail to be provided on why,  where,  when etc.  This is really good but lost in the narrow space unfortunately.  Maybe should be in an earlier room.

Finally, the shop is extremely poor and should be selling rail stuff.    Mad that all it had was a Hornby starter kit along with Tourist Tat.   Why not Murphy Models and IRM stuff plus something to allow the visitor to put together a "play set"  of what they've seen.   Probably Shannon Tourism blinkers I know.

I'd give it all an 8/10, much more of a serious museum than previous (7/10) but a lot of good has been lost of the previous that I'm sure you already know and would love to be given the chance to fix.

I hope nobody is offended here, I could never hope to do 10% of the quality.  I have no intention to criticise.

 

Drew, an excellent and informative post. As one involved in the displays and the Fry history end of things (not the layout) I appreciate your comments on  behalf of the museum.

I will pass your comments on to the management tomorrow when I am contact with them over other issues.

To comment on some of the points you raise:

Why did the castle layout close? Answer - the operators wanted the space for the new Avoca shop and cafe. They were faced with having to make the whole Castle operation viable - and model railway museums cost money rather than generate it. The Avoca shop helps them balance their budget which they are under pressure to do - it's public money they'd be using up otherwise, and Fingal Council quite simply do not have a budget for such things.

The Castle layout contained some of the Fry models in glass cases, but the ones operating on the huge layout were not made by Fry - they were made 20 years after his death by some 7 modellers (so far identified); some still with us, others not. Under the term of the 1972 legal agreement between Fry's widow and any future owner of his collection, his models were never again to be run, but displayed in a museum-like scenario.

You mention the size of the layout in the casino now. The current architectural plan for this building was drawn up (a) to fit a certain budget, and (b) BEFORE any serious effort was made to seek help or advice from experts in this field; when the project eventually came to the attention of potential layout builders, they pointed out that there would only be room for an 00 gauge layout in that building, as it was far too small for a meaningful 0 gauge layout. I was at the meeting where it was pointed out to the architects, designers and county council officials that there was not a snowball's chance in hell of recreating anything remotely similar to what used to be in the Castle! To top all that, the local authority and architects had a completely unrealistic take on how long the layout would take to build; but that's all water under the bridge now.

Your point about signage on each of the four sides of the layout explaining the history is an excellent idea, and it is one which I will take on board. You can expect to see signage to this effect. Thank you for this excellent suggestion.

Regarding the display screens at the Malahide side of the layout, you're right about the lack of space there, but it's the best that can be done at the moment. Again, those screens need to be updated, and the written history that shows up for each item in it is on my (LONG!) list of "to-do" things. In the long run I will expand on the descriptions and see if I can persuade them to move one of these screens to another wall; I have an idea where one could go. Again, thank you for the feedback.

The stuff in the shop is in its infancy. There will be a change of operational management at the end of the year, and the incoming personages - whoever they may be - will be taking a look at the retail end.

Recently, a range of mugs, keyrings and other materials with pictures of a variety of models has been commissioned. A certain amount of railway books may appear in the long run. As for scale models, there are viability issues here, given the small number of items - but I do know that an arrangement with a supplier is currently being explored.

Thank you again for your comments - feedback like this is absolutely invaluable.

I should also add that all of Fry's Irish models are now on display; in the old place only some were.

He also made a number of English and mainland European models. All but (I think) one of the continental items are on display in one case (there were only a few), but the British stuff (mostly LMS & LNWR) remains at present in storage. It is hoped that in the long run a budget may be made available for displaying these in glass cases too. There are about 50 or 60 of them from memory.

 

[jhb171achill]

Today's update on all things Malahide Model Railway Museum.

Following Drew's suggestion above, signage will be ordered to explain the four scenes on the layout. There's an overall review of signage going on anyway, so it's now included in that.

When the place was opened, the initial thought was that roughly half of all of Fry's models could be displayed, and the other half stored; the two sets being swopped several times a year.

I advised against this at the time, for the obvious reasons of constant handling not being in the best interests of the models, to put it very mildly.

So, I thought, I will select the more interesting half, and get them to put up pictures of the rest. Result.

However, once the display cases were installed, it became evident that a very much greater proportion of his models could be displayed. The models Fry built (as opposed to the ones built later by other folks for the Castle layout) consist of approximately two thirds Irish, almost a third British prototypes, and a dozen or so mainland European items, plus an American five-car diesel train which Fry repainted. So, with more space than expected, the entire Irish collection (bar several duplicates) has been displayed. The only Irish stuff not displayed are one badly broken open wagon (similar to others anyway), a couple of half-built things (possible focus of a future "work in progress" display) and several duplicates - e.g. he made several "H" vans, and more than one of certain designs of BCDR, CIE, GNR and NCC coaches. In the latter case, one of each is on display and the others are stored.

There was just about enough room for all but (I think) one of the mainland European stuff.

This left the British stuff, which is a mix of the following: (a) LNWR coaches and locos - probably half or more of the British stuff; (b) other one-offs (like a BR 1950s sleeping car), and (c) well-used bought Hornby stuff which Fry had as a kid. There is no room for all of this anywhere.

Today, we had a look round the place to evaluate proposals for more glass cases, with a view to displaying this material (not the Hornby models). If this can be achieved, ALL the Fry-made stuff, bar a few items retained by members of the family, and which were never gifted away at all, will be on display.

There had been various ideas about where we might display this stuff. The most likely option has been changed, so these days I'm packing this stuff into proper conservation boxes as they're likely to be out of sight for a few years. I'll post a few pics here in the coming days and week.

To start with, this is a working LNWR mail coach. The trigger underneath activated the net mechanism on the side, to make the net drop to pick up mail bags. You can see the spring attached to the trigger on the underside of the coach.

Fry got a batch lot of LNWR crests made. Some are on the side of a GSR coach as a "GSR" crest and a couple of Dublin trams have them too! They're somewhat overscale too - a common complaint of crests and logos on model coaches of all types.

 

[jhb171achill]

A pair of mainline LNWR corridor coaches. The vast majority of Fry’s British passenger stock is of LNWR origin, as he travelled over their lines while attending boarding school in England.

 

[jhb171achill]

Some more LNWR stuff today.

First, a few four wheel carriages.

[jhb171achill]

When dealing with models which are very old, the utmost care has to be taken in handling them. Years in an inappropriate storage environment before the Malahide thinbg got under way and proper conservators got involved, buffers had fallen off, soldering joints parted company and in this case, the old timber piece used to make this van cracked.

Some types of damage are restorable, others not. Now, the entire building they are in has temperature and humidity controlled all the time.

Nothing will not deteriorate in SOME way over time, but the slower this process can be made to be, the better.

Fry's modelling went through three stages - like many of us. He started off as a child with bought Hornby stuff; there was no IRM Towers then, and Paddy Murphy's parents were probably learning their spellings! So, he started off by buying "bought" stuff, then graduated to repainting or altering "bought" stuff. Then scratch built with a lot of wooden blocks, finally much higher quality tinplate modelling and his own castings.

His earliest models date from the mid-1930s, and finishes are not always as good as later. In particular, he appears to have made leaps and bounds after about 1941, when he truly mastered tinplate. Earlier models used wooden underframes and the details were much cruder.

Have a look at the two chassis below. One is of this "cracked" bogie goods van which he built in the early 1930s, and look what less than a decade makes as a difference; formed tinplate chassis now, with a lot more detail, on the underside of the four wheeled LNWR coach shown.

The bogie LNER van is the one with the crack going the whole way down the body. Close examination suggests that crack has been there a long time.

 

[DartStation]

On 15/7/2021 at 12:07 AM, jhb171achill said:

Today's update on all things Malahide Model Railway Museum.

Following Drew's suggestion above, signage will be ordered to explain the four scenes on the layout. There's an overall review of signage going on anyway, so it's now included in that.

When the place was opened, the initial thought was that roughly half of all of Fry's models could be displayed, and the other half stored; the two sets being swopped several times a year.

I advised against this at the time, for the obvious reasons of constant handling not being in the best interests of the models, to put it very mildly.

So, I thought, I will select the more interesting half, and get them to put up pictures of the rest. Result.

However, once the display cases were installed, it became evident that a very much greater proportion of his models could be displayed. The models Fry built (as opposed to the ones built later by other folks for the Castle layout) consist of approximately two thirds Irish, almost a third British prototypes, and a dozen or so mainland European items, plus an American five-car diesel train which Fry repainted. So, with more space than expected, the entire Irish collection (bar several duplicates) has been displayed. The only Irish stuff not displayed are one badly broken open wagon (similar to others anyway), a couple of half-built things (possible focus of a future "work in progress" display) and several duplicates - e.g. he made several "H" vans, and more than one of certain designs of BCDR, CIE, GNR and NCC coaches. In the latter case, one of each is on display and the others are stored.

There was just about enough room for all but (I think) one of the mainland European stuff.

This left the British stuff, which is a mix of the following: (a) LNWR coaches and locos - probably half or more of the British stuff; (b) other one-offs (like a BR 1950s sleeping car), and (c) well-used bought Hornby stuff which Fry had as a kid. There is no room for all of this anywhere.

Today, we had a look round the place to evaluate proposals for more glass cases, with a view to displaying this material (not the Hornby models). If this can be achieved, ALL the Fry-made stuff, bar a few items retained by members of the family, and which were never gifted away at all, will be on display.

There had been various ideas about where we might display this stuff. The most likely option has been changed, so these days I'm packing this stuff into proper conservation boxes as they're likely to be out of sight for a few years. I'll post a few pics here in the coming days and week.

To start with, this is a working LNWR mail coach. The trigger underneath activated the net mechanism on the side, to make the net drop to pick up mail bags. You can see the spring attached to the trigger on the underside of the coach.

Fry got a batch lot of LNWR crests made. Some are on the side of a GSR coach as a "GSR" crest and a couple of Dublin trams have them too! They're somewhat overscale too - a common complaint of crests and logos on model coaches of all types.

 

Hi JHB,

Regarding signage - the venue could do with some on the road leading up the the site- both ways. I travelled by car to visit on Saturday 10th, if you don't have sat nav or google maps on a smart phone you would be snookered, the signage on the main entrance is lost with the large overhanging trees. 

There is some train signage on poles as you walk into Malahide castle grounds it might be pertinent to salvage these and use on the main road up to the site from the train station on city side - I saw at least three signs on lap posts in the cast grounds on Saturday.

I agree with Drew re signage in the venue - it definitely could be improved - a notice board also - there was a family at the venue on Saturday and they asked about steam train excursions   - the staff did not know anything about RPSI steam trains or DownPatrick for that matter - a notice board could help inform for such situations , other model train exhibitions as well.

Anyway a few more thoughts that should be considered.

Hope this helps 

Thanks 

Paul R.

 

    

  

[jhb171achill]

Good thoughts, Paul - Fingal CoCo need to deal with external stuff. Valid point which I will pass on.

I’ve mentioned DCDR & RPSI stuff to them before - worth following up again.

[BosKonay]

[Westcorkrailway]

33 minutes ago, BosKonay said:

IMG_0071.mov IMG_0072.mov

IMG_0080.mov

IMG_0082.mov IMG_0083.mov

IMG_0092.mov IMG_0093.mov IMG_0094.mov IMG_0095.mov IMG_0096.mov IMG_0097.mov IMG_0098.mov IMG_0099.mov IMG_0101.mov

All inspiration for next years IRM catalogue

 

Anyways, I'm off to malahide

[BosKonay]

Well worth the visit, especially when combined with a broader trip to Malahide castle and gardens. Even the kids enjoyed it

[jhb171achill]

I'm sitting at home today working on more signage!

(Plus two Provincial wagon kits....)

Edited August 2, 2021 by jhb171achill

[ttc0169]

Definitely on for a visit- sooner rather than later, 

[BosKonay]

19 minutes ago, jhb171achill said:

I'm sitting at home today working on more signage!

(Plus two Provincial wagon kits....)

My only suggestion would be a more prototypical length tara mines train I might know someone....  

[jhb171achill]

2 hours ago, BosKonay said:

My only suggestion would be a more prototypical length tara mines train I might know someone....  

It normally DOES have 6 or 9 of them - dunno what happened today!