Model railway on track for Malahide return

ONE of the Europe’s largest miniature railways is returning to the Northside.

In 2011, the Fry Model Railway was moved from a site in the grounds of Malahide Castle because of a major redevelopment programme being undertaken. It was dismantled and placed in storage until a permanent site could be found.

The late Micheál Gaffney, a local man, bequeathed

?¬1.5million to a project that would include housing the popular attraction permanently. As a result, it will soon be located in Casino House, a landmark in Malahide for over 200 years.

The Tidy Towns Malahide group said it was delighted to receive confirmation that the Fry Model Railway will be located in Casino House.

The group’s chairman, Gerry Rafferty, told Northside People:

“This project has taken many years to get the green light and would not have been possible without the kindness and generosity of the late Micheál Gaffney.

“When news reached him (Mr Gaffney) that the model was to leave Malahide, he felt motivated to do something about it. He included in his Will

?¬1.5 million to purchase and renovate the Casino to provide a home for the Fry Model Railway so that it would remain for all to view.

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Tidy Towns Malahide said it wanted to recognise all the work done by local politicians and others in the community on the issue.

“We particularly want to give a special thanks to Stephen Peppard, from Fingal County Council, who has worked closely with the Tidy Towns to ensure this project had a successful outcome,

? stated Mr Rafferty.

“To have the Fry Model Railway located in Malahide will be a fantastic asset and will add to all the wonderful attributes that the town can be so proud of.

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Mr Raffery added that Tidy Towns Malahide was looking forward to assisting in realising the enormous potential in the project in whatever way possible.
The next step for the project will be the preparation of plans for the renovation and development of the Casino buildings.

The Fry Model Railway is regarded as significantly important, as it is the only working layout to represent the history of Irish railways over the past 170 years.

The exhibition features a main rail-line representing the Belfast-Dublin-Cork line and includes additional aesthetic features such as a mailboat sailing from Dun Laoghaire, and the Guinness barges on the River Liffey.

Railway engineer and draughtsman Cyril Fry assembled the collection of beautifully engineered models and rail-lines in the 1920s and 1930s.