MRSI 2026 Dublin Show - October 24-26th 2026

[Patrick Davey]

On 19/10/2026 at 7:23 PM, 85 Merlin said:

Hi everyone,

My guesses are more towards the steam side of the spectrum, although I do believe it will be a C Class diesel this year, going by some of the things I've seen on the forums over the past year.

But then again, as a wild card, we could see one of two possible steam locomotives announced instead of a diesel. I believe there are two very strong contenders.

My first contender would be No. 74, Dunluce Castle.

If you remember what IRM/Accurascale wrote in their original 800 Class announcement, they mentioned having to scan the real locomotive to help get the details just right.

Now, if I were in their position, I would certainly take the opportunity to scan a locomotive that I planned, or at least hoped, to bring to market in OO gauge someday.

To me, an NCC tender locomotive would make a lot of sense, especially considering its close relationship to the Midland Railway 2P in the UK. This could open up plenty of possibilities for both the Irish and British markets.

My second strong contender would be the GNR(I) S Class 4-4-0, No. 171 Slieve Gullion.

It's a very pretty locomotive and would look wonderful alongside the many British pre-grouping locomotives that have come to market in recent years.

I think No. 171 and her sisters would be a fantastic choice, in my opinion.

Furthermore, she would look right at home at the head of the wonderful IRM and Murphy Models Mk2 RPSI set. I would absolutely love to see that running around my layout!

But at the end of the day, we all know it has to be the one and only V Class Compound, No. 85 "Merlin"!

I mean, who could possibly say no to that!!!

Anyway, those are my guesses. It will be interesting to see what actually gets announced!

Thanks everyone,

85 Merlin

Interesting thought about No. 74, with a neat connection to the LMS 2P - the latter would undoubtedly be feasible, as all AS steam offerings have been mega popular, but I'm not sure the former would be a runner (boom boom) due to its very limited geographical reach.  Would love it though!!

S class - yip, I've been suggesting that for a while!  Could be a nice special edition fundraiser for the RPSI, as A3r was for the ITG.

No. 85 - also an option for sure.

But also leaning towards a C class here, that's if there actually WILL be a new announcement of course!

Update: There WILL be an announcement - thanks Fran!

Edited 19 hours ago by Patrick Davey

[Mol_PMB]

The NCC U2 'Castles' like 74 appear superficially similar to an LMS 2P, or indeed to the MR/LMS '483' class 4-4-0s. Both the latter classes are already available RTR in OO and applying the 'two foot rule', either a 2P or a '483' could pass for a U2.

However, there are many detail and dimension differences between these types, including the driving wheel diameter (U2 is considerably smaller). Also the width, of course. I suspect it would be a difficult compromise to produce an RTR tooling capable of accurately representing both the Irish and English variants.

 

[Patrick Davey]

54 minutes ago, Mol_PMB said:

The NCC U2 'Castles' like 74 appear superficially similar to an LMS 2P, or indeed to the MR/LMS '483' class 4-4-0s. Both the latter classes are already available RTR in OO and applying the 'two foot rule', either a 2P or a '483' could pass for a U2.

However, there are many detail and dimension differences between these types, including the driving wheel diameter (U2 is considerably smaller). Also the width, of course. I suspect it would be a difficult compromise to produce an RTR tooling capable of accurately representing both the Irish and English variants.

 

Well that’s the end of that idea……

[Patrick Davey]

1 hour ago, Mol_PMB said:

The NCC U2 'Castles' like 74 appear superficially similar to an LMS 2P, or indeed to the MR/LMS '483' class 4-4-0s. Both the latter classes are already available RTR in OO and applying the 'two foot rule', either a 2P or a '483' could pass for a U2.

However, there are many detail and dimension differences between these types, including the driving wheel diameter (U2 is considerably smaller). Also the width, of course. I suspect it would be a difficult compromise to produce an RTR tooling capable of accurately representing both the Irish and English variants.

 

And IRM/AS don’t do compromise - accuracy, yes, compromise - no

[DJ Dangerous]

23 hours ago, Patrick Davey said:

Right so what's the story with IRM at the show - they dropped a cryptic hint on Facebook about 'never before seen goodies' so does that suggest an announcement......?  I think Fran hinted a while back that a C class might be on the horizon......

Let's annoy folks with some wild speculation!!!

“O” my goodness, the “O”nly way is “O”…

The real question is which loco they’ve chosen for the first of several O Gauge “powered” announcements.

A two-car DART would be nice in any scale.

[Mol_PMB]

18 minutes ago, DJ Dangerous said:

“O” my goodness, the “O”nly way is “O”…

The real question is which loco they’ve chosen for the first of several O Gauge “powered” announcements.

A two-car DART would be nice in any scale.

The CSE Ruston? 

[DJ Dangerous]

39 minutes ago, Mol_PMB said:

The CSE Ruston? 

An “O” 71 would be better…

[Flying Snail]

1 hour ago, DJ Dangerous said:

An “O” 71 would be better…

You're gonna need a bigger boat bookshelf  

[Si2020]

May have to have a little trip over to see what the IRM lads are announcing!!

[Warbonnet]

Hi everyone,

Are you coming to visit us at the MRSI - Model Railway Society of Ireland 2026 Exhibition at Mount Temple this Bank Holiday weekend?

Ahead of the show we will have full, exciting updates on:

- The Intercity Railcars
- NIR Mark 2 Coaches
- GSR 800 Class Steam Locomotives

All updates will be online tomorrow morning, and you will be able to see all the models in the flesh in our cabinets at the show, along with some Accurascale UK and Heljan.com UK outline goodies.

Oh, and we have a little announcement too...

See you there!

Cheers!

Fran 

[Mol_PMB]

Excellent news! I'll be attending the Dublin show for the first time and I really look forward to viewing the new models and C-ing what the announcement is.

 

[Patrick Davey]

The ICRs aren't my AoE but they do look stupendous!!!

Work and family stuff mean I will miss the show this year but I'm eagerly awaiting the updates

Edited 19 hours ago by Patrick Davey

[IrishTrainScenes]

On 14/10/2026 at 1:05 AM, WRENNEIRE said:

Looks like €10 entry with a €20 family ticket

Only seen this now - thanks @WRENNEIRE

[Irishrailwayman]

"Maam Road - Bóthar an Mháma" an O gauge Irish outline layout will be making its exhibition debut at the show:

 

 

[Metrovik]

Cie: Waterford and Tramore section will also be appearing in it's 2nd exhibition in completed form. Please pop by and say hi if you're attending the exhibition!

[John-r]

Hi lads,   looking for a bit of helpful advice. Only day I can get to the show is Sunday, so with the marathon on and me coming up from Kerry by car, I was thinking the M50 to airport junction head towards the city turn left onto Griffith avenue to the show, would this be the way to do it, I know traffic could be chaotic, any help at all would be appreciated, thanks and looking forward to the show.

[Mol_PMB]

Ah, thanks for the heads-up on the marathon! I expect that will affect public transport services too. 

This wasn't quite as helpful as I thought it would be (but then I'm not a local so maybe it means more to those who know the city well):

Dublin Marathon 25 Oct 2026 - Road Diversions 3am-9pm (Irish Life) - Transport for Ireland@ Merrion Square Dublin

There seems to be conflicting information on the TfI website as to how much of the DART system is shut over the weekend:

• Train updates this weekend with no rail services between Connolly and Howth / Malahide / Dundalk.
• Train: Irish Rail: Pearce Street and Grand Canal Dock train stations are within walking distance to the start and finish line area.
• Due to engineering works between Grand Canal Dock and Bray and between Howth Junction and Donaghmede/Howth stations on Saturday 24th, Sunday 25th and Monday 26th October.
• DART services will operate between Malahide / Grand Canal Dock stations only.

So is the DART be running to Clontarf Road or not? Depends which bit of the TfI website you look at...

IE journey planner suggests it is running.

[hurricanemk1c]

Originally work was planned Malahide-Dundalk but this was pulled. For the weekend there's Belfast and Drogheda services, plus Connolly-Howth Jctn and Connolly-Malahide DART services

[Jack_Dunboyne]

FREMO Ireland will be in the canteen again. Exclusive spot