Fry Model Railway Museum to Close

Cookie_Monster

For anyone interested there is a long and detailed thread over in C&T about it:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056164770

Or alternatively, here:
http://irishrailwaymodeller.yuku.com/topic/201/Fry-Model-Railway?page=1

coolwings

Bad news, the kind of which we are going to see a lot more of over the next few years.

tracks

There will most likely be a flush of model railwayers going to it over the next week or so and hopefully this will show that there is still an intrest in it and it must be saved .

Greenman

Alot on Liveline about it earlier.

Would love if some mod would merge all Fry Model Railway threads.

EntenteC

Enraged about this. Cannot believe Fingal C C could be so short sighted.

Tabnabs

Lots of talk of Collins Barracks being an ideal home for it, but has anyone from the Museum there commented about the issue?

crosstownk

Terrible news. I've visited the place regularly with my kids. We all love it and it's an absolute shame to see it close

I heard a small bit of Joe Duffy and somebody offered to re-house it - not sure where as I'd a few phone calls going on during the programme.

Greenman

crosstownk wrote: »

I heard a small bit of Joe Duffy and somebody offered to re-house it - not sure where as I'd a few phone calls going on during the programme.

The harbour master in Dun Laoire offered some space in the ferry terminal, sounded promising.

AFAIG Collins Barracks felt it was too much to take on.

Seems to be alot of lines crossed between Dublin Tourism and Fingal.:mad:

Sheldrake

There is a chance for those who are interested to see the Fry Model Railway on next weekend 26/27 Feb. Don't know what will happen to it after that. Regards

Sheldrake

I am hopeful that all is not lost - the Fry WILL be open next weekend, for those who are not watching election results on TV.
In relation to the longer term, I foresee a complete change in attitude towards this unique treasure. The days of pushing people through the presentation in 23 minutes has to stop. A complete rethink will take place on how best to present the layout with its history of Irish Railways.
It must be borne in mind that the layout, as opposed to Cyril Fry's models, is a working railway, with locos and stock clocking up thousands of miles, and requiring constant maintenence. While the drivers may have appeared disconnected from the viewing public, they were overseeing a complex operation on which things could and did go wrong, leading to the need for instant intervention. The layout requires robust models with robust mechanisms and robust wheels. It is not designed as a Scale Seven layout - it is one that needs to be capable of constant running, so the models cannot be to showcase standards.
As anyone with a layout will tell you, there is the tendencey to get lost in the workings when the layout is running, and bear in mind that there were six lines with numerous trains running during the session. An accident to one could have serious consequences. Operators were known to be injured in the dash to fix a problem.
There is a hope that it will stay where it is at least for now - the nightmare scenario, a rush into disconnecting literally miles of wiring, and then moving undamaged, and reconnecting them, is still out there. malahide Castle is not an ideal location for the museum - too far from public transport, and really only accessible to families with private transport. As you are all aware, there are proposals to have it in other, more suitable locations.
It is important that there be knowledgeable staff who are interested in both the exhibits and railways to assist visitors who have questions. This should be a priority for the reborn museum.
I believe there is a rethink on immediate closure, with the probability that it will run in its present location this summer season. Show your support - visit it often, and make your wishes in regard to future location and operation known.
One way or another, there is now hope that the Museum will continue, and remain a treasure for Dubliners and visitors alike.

Greenman

Sheldrake wrote: »

I am hopeful that all is not lost - the Fry WILL be open next weekend, for those who are not watching election results on TV.
In relation to the longer term, I foresee a complete change in attitude towards this unique treasure. The days of pushing people through the presentation in 23 minutes has to stop. A complete rethink will take place on how best to present the layout with its history of Irish Railways.
It must be borne in mind that the layout, as opposed to Cyril Fry's models, is a working railway, with locos and stock clocking up thousands of miles, and requiring constant maintenence. While the drivers may have appeared disconnected from the viewing public, they were overseeing a complex operation on which things could and did go wrong, leading to the need for instant intervention. The layout requires robust models with robust mechanisms and robust wheels. It is not designed as a Scale Seven layout - it is one that needs to be capable of constant running, so the models cannot be to showcase standards.
As anyone with a layout will tell you, there is the tendencey to get lost in the workings when the layout is running, and bear in mind that there were six lines with numerous trains running during the session. An accident to one could have serious consequences. Operators were known to be injured in the dash to fix a problem.
There is a hope that it will stay where it is at least for now - the nightmare scenario, a rush into disconnecting literally miles of wiring, and then moving undamaged, and reconnecting them, is still out there. malahide Castle is not an ideal location for the museum - too far from public transport, and really only accessible to families with private transport. As you are all aware, there are proposals to have it in other, more suitable locations.
It is important that there be knowledgeable staff who are interested in both the exhibits and railways to assist visitors who have questions. This should be a priority for the reborn museum.
I believe there is a rethink on immediate closure, with the probability that it will run in its present location this summer season. Show your support - visit it often, and make your wishes in regard to future location and operation known.
One way or another, there is now hope that the Museum will continue, and remain a treasure for Dubliners and visitors alike.

Well that looks hopeful, I take it you are someone close to the Fry Museum.

If it dose remain open would I be allowed take some pics, even it a bit of video;) as in the past I was restricted from doing so in the past.:mad:

What was considered about the ferry terminal?

Azureus

Tabnabs wrote: »

Lots of talk of Collins Barracks being an ideal home for it, but has anyone from the Museum there commented about the issue?

The museum is run by Dublin Tourism and leased out to Fingal, who basically want it out of their 'new heritage site'. While I agree the castle is not neccesarily the best place for the museum, I'm just really hoping nothing gets damaged in transit, wherever it may be to. Collins Barracks has been mentioned as a possible new location, as well as various other sites but as far as Im aware nothing has been decided on as of yet.

One thing I will say is that despite the controversy about the move, at least it is drawing some attention to the musuem, which in my opinion has been quite an overlooked treasure. The main commment from foreign visitors at least, in relation to the museum, was that they were unaware of it until locals made them aware of it. It wasnt well advertised, and hopefully the move will increase awareness an advertising. A bit of modernising of the whole museum was definately in order aswell and a new site may facilitate this. While it is a definate loss for Malahide, hopefully some good will come of this.

Tabnabs

Thanks, but I was wondering if anyone from the National Museum of Ireland at Collins Barracks had commented?

Cookie_Monster

I think the C&T thread said they were on the radio with DL Harbour CO, who have offered to re-house it.
Not sure what Collins said...

Greenman

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

Not sure what Collins said...

AFAIG The boss of Collins Barracks didn't want to take it on. Heard that on on the Joe Show on thursday or was it friday last.

the_syco

Came across this:
http://www.rte.ie/news/av/2011/0224/media-2913444.html#

For anyone who'd like a look to see what was in it.

Sheldrake

Unfortunately, Collins Barracks is not now an option. Dr Pat Wallace, Head of the National Museum, was rather sniffy about the Fry exhibits on the Liveline programme. He judged it without seeing it.

Sheldrake

Friends
We have commissioned a feasibility study from an expert in the world of finance on the future prospects of the Malahide project. It makes for interesting reading, and is accompanied by actual projected revenue and expense streams. I won't post those for obvious reasons, but they are available to serious players if required.

The executive summary is hereunder:

1. During 22 years at Malahide Castle, the museum was not viable as a stand-alone operation. Direct income exceeded direct expenses but a notional net loss was incurred after absorbing cost of administrative support from Dublin Tourism and 7/24 security provided by Fingal Council.

2. Casino site is not fit for purpose. Existing building is entirely unsuitable. A minimum 10,000 sq ft new building will be needed to house static museum and working railway, and to satisfy health & safety. Grounds are too small to provide adequate car and coach parking, plus complementary landscaping. Access problems from busy main road. Existing traffic congestion in nearby Malahide village.

3. Facility will constitute a radical change of use for location, implying community resistance. Planning/ NIMBY-type objections may result in costly delays during pre-commissioning phase.

4. Assuming project commences first quarter 2013 and there is no undue delay, commissioning would be unlikely before 2016. Capital cost estimated at € 2.3 million. Delay beyond 2016 will result in escalating holding costs.

5. Gaffney bequest to fund Casino project is €1.5 million. Opening by end 2016 will incur a minimum capital shortfall of €800,000.

6. For income projections, a target figure of 75,000 visitors pa has been projected. Note this is believed to be 3/ 4 times average annual numbers in years 1988-2010. Projections include a discount factor to recognise customer resistance at higher ticket price levels.

7. Projected operating budget shows annual trading losses of € 330,000 to 400,000. Note that this result may be impervious to additional promotional support ie increased advertising cost would offset increased revenue implying market saturation.

Circulate at will.

Cookie_Monster

Lets start with:
1. of course it wasn't because there was never any effort made to advertise it, to publicise it or to invest in it by anyone.
2. Adequate car and coach parking, come off it. lame excuse if ever there was one, what about consideration of the excellent PT links in Malahide?
4. 2.3m :eek:, all that is needed is a high quality shed type structure, how could it possibly cost so much?

that report sounds like it set out with the goal to find as many possible objections as it could to shoot down the project before it even started.