Malahide opening

[jhb171achill]

On 12/14/2019 at 8:42 PM, Galteemore said:

Thanks JHB. Some lovely SLNC gems in last pic including ‘Pioneer’ I think? 

“Sligo”

[jhb171achill]

Test runs today. 
 

 A DWWR 071 rounds Bray Head and Dublin & Drogheda Railway No. 082 potters into Malahide, as the driver has been told that Baseboard Dave still has some cake from upstairs.....

[WRENNEIRE]

Some of Frys original stock

Some was on display on the layout and some in the many glass cases there

The 4-8-0 shunters were mistakenly painted in Green, 

 

 

 

One of the glass cases full of models

 

 

The following pics are stock made by Leinster Models to run on the layout, 

Similar to Cultra it was a tough place to take pics and  the general public were not allowed to take pics.

Brendan Kelly of MRSI fame would have made most of the locos with the McGowans doing the coaching and freight stock

Some of the beautiful brass bridges and some other buildings were built by Tom Tighe of Inchicore fame.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The narrow gauge loco and stock on the lower level may have been built by Des McGlynn, I will clarify this when I speak with him next.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Slightly off topic I know but this snap was with the others

This is a Gauge 1 201 that was sent to GM in Canada prior to the manufacture of our fleet of 201's, Commissioned by IE 

Pic taken in McGowans dining room in Phibsboro

 

 

Edited January 18, 2020 by WRENNEIRE

[DiveController]

There is some great detail in those photos, buses, bridges and interesting rolling stock. Shame to see the bridges etc discarded now. Thanks for posting, Dave!

[murrayec]

Yes, really is a shame, not much of that stuff will ever been seen again, nor a Gauge O layout of that size- very sad, I believe an opportunity lost.......

Eoin

[PorkyP]

That is astonishing in it's sheer scope...great to see it!

[Galteemore]

Thanks for posting, Dave. Glad I got to see it for real when we lived in Dublin from 99-02. 

[jhb171achill]

Some points about the comments above.

1. The likes of us here know very well that the entire collection of models consists of several distinct groups:

(a) Fry-built Irish models

(b) Fry-built non-Irish models

(c) Models NOT built by Fry

(d) "Bought" stuff, like a couple of very nice SSM kits, a few Alphagrafix, and some old coarse=scale Hornby "0" gauge models.

The display in Malahide has group (a) as permanent fixtures, and there is one case with several corresponding to (b), which may be rotated. I have suggested another case, in particular for a lovely set of LNWR loco and carriages, but that's for the future.

 

2. Since the museum is FRY-related, none of (c) and (d) are to be displayed, although there's nothing to stop a specialised exhibition of them some time.

 

3. The public will need to be educated, and Mr Fry's daughter is very keen on this (and I agree with her), that what ran on the so-called "Fry Model Railway" in Malahide Castle was NOT either Fry's models OR his layout. There is a widespread perception that they were. After C L Fry died, his will stated that his models were to be exhibited but never run again. This was but one of the matters that formed the background to the new models being built for the castle.

 

4. Since the new place is specifically dedicated to Fry, there has been no decision made yet as to what happens to the non-Fry collection. I have offered Fingal Council to go through this lot, sort it and label it all for storage, but I've only done a bit of this yet - that doesn't need to be done by Tuesday evening! The ex-castle-non-Fry stuff is now the property of Fingal Council, who own the new Casino Museum. They have hired Shannon Heritage, who run Malahide Castle as well, plus other tourists attractions like Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, to operate it.

[murrayec]

Some more photos of the old Fry layout at this link;-

 

[DART8118]

So, we'll never get to see the Fry models running and that's to be lamented.  But, at least we can see them in cases.  It is good that these have not disappeared into private collections never to be seen again, but are in a way archived on public display for future modellers to enjoy.  From what I can see the displays will include locos, coaches and wagons.  What about the O gauge layout?  Will there be any displays of the railway buildings and other structures or will there be any displays of the original track and signaling?  Will any examples of the modeller's craft of 40-50 years ago be on display?

Looking forward to visiting soon.  Are the opening times published and how much to get in?

DART 8118

[jhb171achill]

Hi Dart

Its going to be open 7 days a week, as I understand. It’s first full day will be Wednesday. Not sure of price, but opening hours will be something along the lines of 09:30-17:00.

To address your queries.....

1. None of the actual Fry models ever ran in the castle. I totally agree with you that it’s a pity we can’t see that, but (a) he wanted them kept as exhibits even in the old place, (b) some are already worn out and / or not in working order, and (c) those that are presumed to still be in working order would end up becoming worn out after a very short time operating.

2.  What I call the “Castle” models - the ones that DID run in the castle - these were purpose built in the 1980s primarily by the late Tommy Tighe, but also several other people. There is a circuit of elevated gauge 1 track on which a train from those pieces will continually go round. Initially this will be the 071 plus a few Mk 2s. This will be rotated from time to time.

3.  The old castle layout is in pieces in storage - I believe they’re up in the castle. There’s no room for this. Again, it’s a matter of record that this layout was again, not Fry’s, but purpose built; this is not in any way to take away from it - it was truly superb - but again, the museum is specifically about the Fry collection.

4.  There is no room in the building for a layout larger than 00 gauge. This was pointed out to the local authority and architects at an early stage, but evidently all the usual stuff about funding, access, listed building issues and so on, precluded any bigger building. Even for 0 gauge, there isn’t enough room.

5.  I’m unaware if the original track still exists, and I haven’t seen any signalling bits at all. At some stage I will be up in the castle and I’ll look for it there, but I haven’t seen any yet, from either the Fry layout or the Castle one. I could stand to be corrected, but I doubt if it’s survived. We’ll see - this will be a project for another day.

6.  You are right in saying that locos, coaches and wagons are on display. In fact, every single Irish piece he made, bar about 6, are permanently displayed. These few are duplicates, e.g. where he made more than one model of a particular type.

7.  Buildings and “props”. There is simply no room for any of this at the moment, but I have made a strong case that they need to get more cabinets. This would allow a display of a selection of these items, though it’s not easy to tell whether some of them are “Fry” or “Castle”.

So, I suppose that “it is what it is”. Personally, after initial reservations when I heard what the plans would be, I think it’s an excellent attraction overall. It’s very different from what was in the castle, but it will, I feel, make for a very interesting place to visit. 

Access is easy enough. It’s 2 minutes’ walk from the station, and there’s disabled parking on site (or that’s the plan, I think). There’s a public car park directly across the road.

[Noel]

It's great this collection has been preserved and put back on excellent displays, understand why his own models cannot be run. It is a pity the new venue's small size meant it could obviously not accommodate any O gauge track to run some selected castle rolling stock, but at least now there is a fab OO gauge layout to present the hobby to the public and engage the imaginations of youngsters visiting it as the Fry collection is viewed and preserved. Thanks for all the photos above, looks great, will make a trip out that way some day.

PS. Glad we got to see the old Castle layout running years ago. It was a stimulating visual experience with movement and lights.

Edited January 20, 2020 by Noel

[Warbonnet]

Was very lucky to pop in yesterday to drop something off and had a quick look. The museum is very well done, as is all the displays. It's great to see the Fry collection out on view again after so many years of sitting in storage. Hopefully all the hard work will be worth it and the museum is a success.

Cheers!

Fran

[Broithe]

https://www.rte.ie/news/dublin/2020/0121/1109770-model-railway/

[Mayner]

Its probably heresy but the standard of modelling on the OO gauge layout appears to be more realistic and to higher standard than the Tom Tighe O Gauge railway which was more reminiscent of the 1930s tin plate era than pictures of Fry's original Irish International Railway and Tramway system.

Edited January 21, 2020 by Mayner

[jhb171achill]

The standard on the new layout is VERY high, as it should be. Hats off to “Baseboard Dave” Lindfield of these lands.

Saw it on the lunchtime news also, as mentioned by Broithe......

[Edo]

Well done to everybody concerned - it looks great and I look forward to sneaking out to Malahide on my next excursion up to the "Big Smoke"...

[WRENNEIRE]

Just been listening to Dave Lynfield being interviewed on RTE by Ray D'Arcy

Gulliver Lynfield 

Still laughing!

[jhb171achill]

Whole thing went well; but the after-party must proceed.

.....Yes, Guinness please, thanks.

[DART8118]

So, we'll never get to see the Fry models running and that's to be lamented.  But, at least we can see them in cases.  It is good that these have not disappeared into private collections never to be seen again, but are in a way archived on public display for future modellers to enjoy.  From what I can see the displays will include locos, coaches and wagons.  What about the O gauge layout?  Will there be any displays of the railway buildings and other structures or will there be any displays of the original track and signaling?  Will any examples of the modeller's craft of 40-50 years ago be on display?

Looking forward to visiting soon.  Are the opening times published and how much to get in?

DART 8118

Youtube video

 

 

[NIR]

That looks good, an interesting building too.

[Peter]

I visited the museum yesterday with my dad. I found the history of Ciryl Fry, his modelling and the display of his models really well laid out and interesting.

The 00 gauge model railway is very well modelled. I would have loved a bigger model railway, but I can appreciate that it is limited by the space available. 

All in all highly recommend visiting. Its important to preserve and display his models and show railway modelling to the public. An hour was plenty of time to appreciate it all. The building is lovely as well. 

[josefstadt]

18 hours ago, DART8118 said:

Looking forward to visiting soon.  Are the opening times published and how much to get in?

DART 8118

DART8118, found this on the web:

Opening Hours

1 April – 31 October

Monday to Friday we are open from 11am-6pm  and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10.30am - 6pm

Last entry to museum 5pm

1 November – 31 March

Tuesday to Friday we are open from 11am- 5pm and Saturday and Sundays from 10.30am - 5pm

Last entry to museum 4pm

Please note: The museum will be closed on 24th, 25th & 26th December and will re-open on the 27th.

PRICES

Adult €7.50        Child €5.00         Family €22.00 (2+2)        Student & Seniors €6.00

[brianmcs]

made it to Malahide this morning to see it .

It is smaller than the display in the castle .

Got a bit dizzy admiring 800 - because it is on a revolving shelf !

The museum tells the story of Cyril Fry very well .

His models are fabulous.

The OO layout is beautifully done .

well done to all involved .

[jhb171achill]

On ‎1‎/‎23‎/‎2020 at 4:48 PM, DART8118 said:

So, we'll never get to see the Fry models running and that's to be lamented.  But, at least we can see them in cases.  It is good that these have not disappeared into private collections never to be seen again, but are in a way archived on public display for future modellers to enjoy.  From what I can see the displays will include locos, coaches and wagons.  What about the O gauge layout?  Will there be any displays of the railway buildings and other structures or will there be any displays of the original track and signaling?  Will any examples of the modeller's craft of 40-50 years ago be on display?

To answer your questions, DART8118:

Firstly, Fry's actual models.

When Cyril Fry died, he stipulated that none of his models were ever to run again, ever, anywhere. Many people think that what they saw in Malahide Castle was actually Fry's own models, but not one of them ever did run anywhere but his attic, as this was his instruction. In Malahide castle, they called it the "Fry Model Railway", and while they never claimed them to be Fry's actual models, an urban myth grew up that they were. As far as I can see, the Castle made no attempt to contradict this.

The models which actually ran in the Castle were made by several different modellers, most notably the late Tommy Tighe of Inchicore Works, but there were also items made by Des McGlynn, who some of us will know, and a man called Harry Connaughton (who, personally, I didn't know). All there were in their own right great stuff, and they remain in storage pending a meeting quite soon, when we will explore various options as to their possible future.

With the new layout being of 00 gauge, as necessitated by constraints of space, none of the Castle models could run. A selection of these will, however, operate on the ceiling track from time to time. I have yet to go through these to select suitable ones. I'm, busy all this month so it will have to wait until March.

Fry's actual models were displayed in cases in Malahide Castle, or at least a lot of them. What you are now seeing in the new place is ALL his Irish models, bar about three coaches which are exact duplicates of ones already on display; he made more than one example of a small number of pieces; the Drumm train and the Lartigue stuff (6 pieces). The Drumm (2-car) train will be squeezed in somehow when I'm back in the place in March. The Lartigue stuff will follow. It has yet to be conserved.

The actual Fry layout was taken to pieces 40 years ago, as (obviously) was the Castle layout. These remain in storage, in part. I have yet to see them, but it is my understanding that what's left of the castle one is a jumble of bits in boxes, probably not complete, while I doubt if the story about the Fry layout is any different. A large amount, however, of scenic items have been packed away in boxes. I would like to arrange that some of this might be displayed, at least as occasional temporary displays, but that depends on a number of matters yet to be decided upon by Shannon Heritage (who run the thing) and Fingal Council (who own it).

As for track and signalling, yes, that is also something that I would like to see displays of.

The "modellers craft" that you mention - I presume you mean the Tighe / Connaughton / McGlynn items? If so, some of these will be used on the overhead track. There just isn't room for an actual display of them, and in any event it might take away from the Fry stuff itself, as the museum is meant to be dedicated to Fry, not the castle layout. That is an important distinction to make. 

If you mean other modellers, or the actual history of railway modelling in general, no, because this is well outside the remit of the new place; it is specifically dedicated to Fry himself, and his own stuff.

Also remaining in storage for now is Fry's NON-Irish stuff. This consists mostly of stuff from Brexitland, in particular of LNWR origin. He made some beautiful LNWR locos and coaches. He also has items representing the LNER, and a few other British items including trams and an industrial electric loco from Jacobs in Liverpool - that's a little beauty. Other items in the non-Irish collection include a Union Pacific 5 coach diesel train, and French, German, Dutch and other mainland European stuff.

Fry's whole ethos was to have an "International" railway and tramway. Thus, I put a few items of his continental stuff in one cabinet - there's a Norwegian sleeping car, two French "Orient Express" coaches, a French express passenger loco (a beauty), a Swiss electric loco and a steam tram locomotive which looks to me to be Dutch or Belgian, but it is the one item whose provenance I have been unable to trace. If anyone here can help, I would be very grateful. I will post a pic of it below.

To cover the "International" bit of it, what I plan to do is make up several sets of British and continental items, which they can rotate in a display case maybe every month. I have also proposed several other measures to allow display of Fry's non-Irish items, including scenery, track and signalling (if suitable for display!) from time to time. I will keep you posted here as things develop.  

This is a new project and a unique one. There is nothing else like it in Ireland, and few such places elsewhere. From readers here - the modelling fraternity, any suggestions and observations will be welcome and will be taken into account where possible. It won't always be possible, of course, but we'll see how it goes.

 

So - what is this?

 

Edited February 2, 2020 by jhb171achill

[DiveController]

It's from the Swedish system

 

[Broithe]

You're just trying to get us to Google "Swedish models", aren't you..?

[jhb171achill]

10 minutes ago, Broithe said:

You're just trying to get us to Google "Swedish models", aren't you..?

Fair play to you, gentlemen! Many thanks!

An interesting looking beast - any ideas about its history? Tried googling "HNJ" and "HNJ tram", etc., etc.... but couldn't get a thing. I'd like to at least be able to say where in Sweden it operated, or when.....

It occurred to me at one stage that it might be one of the ones at Mariatzell in Austria - but that museum wouldn't have been open in Fry's time!

[jhb171achill]

Woohoo! Finally found it, by using the word "Stockholm" in my searches. I had incorrectly assumed thin thing was possibly Belgian or Dutch..... another mystery solved.

 

"........Halmstad - Nassjo Rly (HNJ) tram loco, Nassjo, Sat 6 September 2014. 0-2-2VBT built in Stockholm by Atlas (18 / 1888). SJ 1277 is in the background......"

[DiveController]

I don't know about the tram but here's a little about the Halmstad-Nässjö Järnvägar (HNJ) (between Malmo and Goteborg running generally towards Stockholm)

History
At the end of the 1860s, local stakeholders made the decision to connect Halmstad (which at that time lacked a railroad) with the then Southern pedestrian railway Malmö-Falköping. Jönköping was elected as the point of access and the company Halmstad-Jönköping Railway Company was formed. In 1872, the railway construction was finally able to get started.

New end goal during work
They started building the track from Halmstad and the east, but after about a year it was decided to change the course of the course and instead connect it to the main track in Nässjö. Construction did not go very fast and was hit early by financial problems. In 1877 the track was opened between Halmstad and Värnamo and in January 1880 also between Värnamo and Lindefors (current Hok). In December 1882 the entire line Halmstad-Nässjö was finally opened, but after only three years the company went bankrupt. However, it was reconstructed and resurrected as Halmstad-Nässjö Railways (HNJ).

 

Edited February 2, 2020 by DiveController

[brianmcs]

1 hour ago, jhb171achill said:

To answer your questions, DART8118:

Firstly, Fry's actual models.

When Cyril Fry died, he stipulated that none of his models were ever to run again, ever, anywhere. Many people think that what they saw in Malahide Castle was actually Fry's own models, but not one of them ever did run anywhere but his attic, as this was his instruction. In Malahide castle, they called it the "Fry Model Railway", and while they never claimed them to be Fry's actual models, an urban myth grew up that they were. As far as I can see, the Castle made no attempt to contradict this.

The models which actually ran in the Castle were made by several different modellers, most notably the late Tommy Tighe of Inchicore Works, but there were also items made by Des McGlynn, who some of us will know, and a man called Harry Connaughton (who, personally, I didn't know). All there were in their own right great stuff, and they remain in storage pending a meeting quite soon, when we will explore various options as to their possible future.

With the new layout being of 00 gauge, as necessitated by constraints of space, none of the Castle models could run. A selection of these will, however, operate on the ceiling track from time to time. I have yet to go through these to select suitable ones. I'm, busy all this month so it will have to wait until March.

Fry's actual models were displayed in cases in Malahide Castle, or at least a lot of them. What you are now seeing in the new place is ALL his Irish models, bar about three coaches which are exact duplicates of ones already on display; he made more than one example of a small number of pieces; the Drumm train and the Lartigue stuff (6 pieces). The Drumm (2-car) train will be squeezed in somehow when I'm back in the place in March. The Lartigue stuff will follow. It has yet to be conserved.

The actual Fry layout was taken to pieces 40 years ago, as (obviously) was the Castle layout. These remain in storage, in part. I have yet to see them, but it is my understanding that what's left of the castle one is a jumble of bits in boxes, probably not complete, while I doubt if the story about the Fry layout is any different. A large amount, however, of scenic items have been packed away in boxes. I would like to arrange that some of this might be displayed, at least as occasional temporary displays, but that depends on a number of matters yet to be decided upon by Shannon Heritage (who run the thing) and Fingal Council (who own it).

As for track and signalling, yes, that is also something that I would like to see displays of.

The "modellers craft" that you mention - I presume you mean the Tighe / Connaughton / McGlynn items? If so, some of these will be used on the overhead track. There just isn't room for an actual display of them, and in any event it might take away from the Fry stuff itself, as the museum is meant to be dedicated to Fry, not the castle layout. That is an important distinction to make. 

If you mean other modellers, or the actual history of railway modelling in general, no, because this is well outside the remit of the new place; it is specifically dedicated to Fry himself, and his own stuff.

Also remaining in storage for now is Fry's NON-Irish stuff. This consists mostly of stuff from Brexitland, in particular of LNWR origin. He made some beautiful LNWR locos and coaches. He also has items representing the LNER, and a few other British items including trams and an industrial electric loco from Jacobs in Liverpool - that's a little beauty. Other items in the non-Irish collection include a Union Pacific 5 coach diesel train, and French, German, Dutch and other mainland European stuff.

Fry's whole ethos was to have an "International" railway and tramway. Thus, I put a few items of his continental stuff in one cabinet - there's a Norwegian sleeping car, two French "Orient Express" coaches, a French express passenger loco (a beauty), a Swiss electric loco and a steam tram locomotive which looks to me to be Dutch or Belgian, but it is the one item whose provenance I have been unable to trace. If anyone here can help, I would be very grateful. I will post a pic of it below.

To cover the "International" bit of it, what I plan to do is make up several sets of British and continental items, which they can rotate in a display case maybe every month. I have also proposed several other measures to allow display of Fry's non-Irish items, including scenery, track and signalling (if suitable for display!) from time to time. I will keep you posted here as things develop.  

This is a new project and a unique one. There is nothing else like it in Ireland, and few such places elsewhere. From readers here - the modelling fraternity, any suggestions and observations will be welcome and will be taken into account where possible. It won't always be possible, of course, but we'll see how it goes.

 

So - what is this?

 

I think the problem is remit. The display in the castle purported to do 2 things .

1. show off Fry's models  - the Casino display now does this very well.

2. Tell the story of Irish railways using models - this is a much bigger challenge .

It should be done in a national transport museum , but that is another argument...........

looking forward to seeing the Lartigue in the Casino.

 

 

[jhb171achill]

I would agree, brianmcs, that we need a transport museum like Cultra, but within an hour's drive of Dublin or less. Some larger items of 12" = 1ft scale could be centre stage; all preservation groups have sidings full of stuff that will NEVER run again. I am sure that many of these bodies could provide stuff on permanent loan. One of the aspects of such a development might, indeed, contain a reconstructed "castle" (or, indeed, replica Fry) layout. Then the "castle" models could get an outing again!

 

[minister_for_hardship]

57 minutes ago, jhb171achill said:

I would agree, brianmcs, that we need a transport museum like Cultra, but within an hour's drive of Dublin or less. Some larger items of 12" = 1ft scale could be centre stage; all preservation groups have sidings full of stuff that will NEVER run again. I am sure that many of these bodies could provide stuff on permanent loan. One of the aspects of such a development might, indeed, contain a reconstructed "castle" (or, indeed, replica Fry) layout. Then the "castle" models could get an outing again!

 

Mullingar would have been an excellent site for a transport museum if Mammy O'Rourke hadn't shot it down.

[jhb171achill]

Very much so, and in theory still would. Once the RPSI has finally vacated the loco shed, and the fact that it's now on a greenway, and has the turntable, there's certainly still potential there to re-use the listed loco shed. 

Of course, maybe CIE have other uses for it, like watching it fall down..... the whole Galway side of the station has been preserved in aspic for years - a perfect use for it.

[WRENNEIRE]

Once again you have failed to mention McGowan models who produced many of the locos that ran in the Malahide layout

Tommy Tighe was responsible for many of the buildings and I think Des McGlynn made the narrow gauge loco and stock

Just sayin like....