MRSI Exhibition

Noel · October 25, 2014

Well went to my first model railway exhibition in 20 years today. Enjoyed it very much. Many great exhibits. The venue was perhaps a bit tight for space, you couldn't swing a mouse let alone a cat by about 12pm. Some fabulous layouts. Met a few forumites too - Hello! Picked up a few bits and pieces, some books, DVDs and a nice IE EGV which is the main reason I went, but no other rolling stock as most show prices were above internet pricing. Highlight was having a brief chat with Mr Paddy Murphy, and getting the chance to thank him in person for the quality of his products and their impact on our hobby.

Nearly bought a pair of Silver Fox A class, but decided against in the end as the samples at the show didn't have all wheel pickups and had traction tyres common on older Hornby chassis (i.e. pickups on opposite sides of opposing bogies in the old style). I will investigate what higher quality chassis these can be married to or bought with as RTR models. For that kind of money one expects really good runners that can crawl over peco points much like the stunning MM GMs, a classy looking scale replica also needs to be a superb scale runner.

Liked the look of the green and grey Irish Rail intercity 201 locos, IMHO the best looking 201s in real life and in model form. Tempted to buy one at the show, but got a much better deal from an Irish retailer who was not at the show. Might pop in again on Monday. Anyway really enjoyed it, well done to organisers, and I am amazed how the hobby has advanced here in the past 20 years. Happy days.

BosKonay · October 25, 2014

Generally you can pop a Class 55 chassis under the Silverfox A... a Hornby Class 52 is also listed,.... wonder would the new Dapol offering work too?

From the Dapol spec, I like the sound of

5 pole Super Creep Motor for controlled pulling power and fine slow speed running

Directional light with internal cab light

DCC ready with provision for a PluX 21 pin decoder

Anyone tried a conversion?

Edited October 25, 2014 by BosKonay

enniscorthyman · October 25, 2014

Come 'on down to Wexford so.................

I will be down on Monday Shem.

richrua · October 25, 2014

gonna try a visit tomorrow. dust off the wallet.

Jack_Dunboyne · October 25, 2014

It was a very good day Hope to see you tomorrow and Monday !

heirflick · October 25, 2014

any of ye gits going tomorrow - speak no or forever hol your piss!

BosKonay · October 25, 2014

Hope to visit around lunchtime myself !

Kirley · October 25, 2014

A good day, enjoyed listening to Paddy Murphy and his battles to stay ahead of the 'rivet counters', North Down had their first outing of "Cookstown", still under construction. The biggest crowd was at Jim Poots Buses, there was a queue to get to his Stand. Also to meet again some of the Site Members but I'm sure there were other Members there I did not know.

WRENNEIRE · October 25, 2014

Happy Days

Picked up these 2 unopened Q Kits A Class's

These are the last ones they made, Brass sides and white metal parts

enniscorthyman · October 26, 2014

Dave, that photo reminds me of the 001 class kit I bought at a show in the RDS about 1995.Q kits is right, after trying to build it, I gave up, although I did see someone on here who did a fantastic job on one.

WRENNEIRE · October 26, 2014

I have a fantastic one I picked up a couple of years back, professionally built in the UK and really top quality

Cant seem to be able to put my hands on it at the mo?

rebelred · October 26, 2014

A good day, enjoyed listening to Paddy Murphy and his battles to stay ahead of the 'rivet counters', North Down had their first outing of "Cookstown", still under construction. The biggest crowd was at Jim Poots Buses, there was a queue to get to his Stand. Also to meet again some of the Site Members but I'm sure there were other Members there I did not know.

Rivet Counters?? What's Paddy's take on things at the moment?

Noel · October 26, 2014

What's Paddy's take on things at the moment?

From our brief chat with him, much the same as already posted here recently by others. New batch of mk2d coaches in CIE 'Supertrain' livery (ie orange and black, no white lining) due approx December or January with complete set of coaches to make up typical eight coach set including EGV, restaurant car, first class car, etc. 121 is on the 'radar' but it is very early stages yet. It was a pleasure to chat with the gentleman.

Railer · October 26, 2014

I wonder will the CIE Mk2s be as popular as the orange roof IE versions? They have been even more popular than the excellent Cravens that can still be found anywhere any running number.

aclass007 · October 26, 2014

OK, enough of the suspense.... Can anyone reveal what Weshty's surprise launch was?

rebelred · October 26, 2014

OK, enough of the suspense.... Can anyone reveal what Weshty's surprise launch was?

A cut up Mark III coach kit, chainsaw included!!!

heirflick · October 26, 2014

A cut up Mark III coach kit, chainsaw included!!!

BosKonay · October 26, 2014

Got there today with my two lads for an hour or so. Great show and will upload pics later but barring bumping into Dartstation and saying howarye to baseboard Dave I reckon everyone else was on lunch break fantastic show and will upload some pics and video later!

DiveController · October 26, 2014

From our brief chat with him, much the same as already posted here recently by others. New batch of mk2d coaches in CIE 'Supertrain' livery (ie orange and black, no white lining) due approx December or January with complete set of coaches to make up typical eight coach set including EGV, restaurant car, first class car, etc. 121 is on the 'radar' but it is very early stages yet. It was a pleasure to chat with the gentleman.

But no discussion of an A class or anything to follow the 121? We have all got so used to the MM models that I wonder who would pick the baton if anything happened to PM. Even though Bachmann did many of the earlier models for him, its not like they decided there was a market for modeling Irish outline after that…..

BosKonay · October 26, 2014

The trouble was is and will be the scale of the market. 500 locos of a livery ( sometimes half that) sell 'just about right' here while the big lads in the UK will run thousands of a single run and sell them too.

DiveController · October 26, 2014

The trouble was is and will be the scale of the market. 500 locos of a livery ( sometimes half that) sell 'just about right' here while the big lads in the UK will run thousands of a single run and sell them too.

BK, I understand that economies of working with a limited audience and agree with you. Despite their initial foray into Irish outline with PM they did not do a 500 limited run at least while PM is 'competing' for this small market. Hence my original concern, with only one real RTR producer, Irish outline rtr would be plunged back into the medieval ages (and no offence is intended to some on here who produce some very fine kits and those who model them)

RedRich · October 26, 2014

It's far to early to be talking about the demise of rtr or MM. Who's to say that PM won't pass on the business to family to continue the company. Or someone else might take on the business. PM has established the company and it seems in a healthy condition when you think that models have been released annually over the last 7 years. The business seems to have done well in the economic uncertainty we have experienced in that time.

The bar can be raised again (it always can) and there is faith in the products as they are. I'd be confident that we will see more in the future whether PM is at the helm or not. Getting back on topic, get the pics up Stephen.

Rich,

Noel · October 27, 2014

FYI, be aware of the Dublin city marathon route today if crossing city to get to the exhibition. Out of towners may prefer M50 route around city. Or east link bridge if off the merrion road before Vincent's hospital.

Edited October 27, 2014 by Noel

paul greene · October 27, 2014

I was over in Dublin for the weekend just gone and went to the MRSI exhibition in Raheny and thoroughly enjoyed it. There was a wide range of layouts, demo and trade stands, but most of all there were a lot of people and a great atmosphere! There is a temptation to compare it to shows over in the UK (I live in Yorkshire) and the main difference was that the Dublin show was not just about railways, but also about modelling in general and the prototype. For example there were stands devoted to scenics, car and bus modelling and there was the Irish Railway Record Society (of which I am a member) stand. But the most important thing was the turnout which looked to be very good and must point to a healthy and developing hobby in Ireland. Particular favourites were Stanfording, a 7mm layout from Northern Ireland and the Studio Scale Models and Murphy Models stands. But I enjoyed it all.

dave182 · October 27, 2014

Just back from the show, and enjoyable as always! I was on a tight time frame so hit the traders I needed to see and had a quick look round- some great layouts. I agree with Paul Greenes comments above- comparing and contrasting to a UK show is probably not fair. As a Modeller I would of course like to see more layouts, but I went specifically today to source items, and there were a great selection of traders represented for what is a small market. What I most took heart from is the large number of families and children that attend every year, and unlike when I was a child pestering my old man for a model railway, it's now easier than ever to get into the hobby, with an Irish flavour from day one. This can only be a good thing for the future!

Well done to all involved!

Noel · October 27, 2014

Popped in for a quick second visit after lunch. Really enjoyed it and picked up a few really useful modelling bits'n'pieces. Saw some fab customised mk3s being hand delivered.

Warbonnet · October 27, 2014

Got over for an hour or two today. Talked the ears off Wrenneire as per, met Richie, Des, Baseboard Dave and Eoin. Modules look great, as the the O gauge layout opposite. Thanks to Chris Dyer for another bargain. Great show and well done to the MRSI!