A model railway museum has opened its doors in north Dublin and it's the rail deal.
Housed in the Casino - a rustic 19th century thatched cottage in the heart of Malahide Village - the Casino Model Railway Museum showcases miniature handcrafted train replicas by Cyril Fry.
Dundrum man Fry, who died in 1972, worked as an engineer with the Inchicore Railway Works.
Fry went on to build over 350 precision-made models over the course of his career and displayed them on a complex layout in his attic.
The museum offers a delightful insight into his exquisite handmade model trains.
An excerpt from the museum website reads: “This complex layout included signal lights and level crossing barriers, which all worked automatically. He often worked from original plans and drawings from the railway companies to get the exact details and scale.
“All of the individual details, such as wheels and doors, were made with their own mould, which was then filled with hot metal.
"Once the pieces had cooled, they were filed into shape on a lathe and then hand-painted with a brush so fine that Fry could add his name to each model.”
The opening was attended by Mayor of Fingal Cllr Eoghan O'Brien who said: "I am delighted to be here today to officially open the Casino Model Railway Museum, which has been beautifully conserved and restored.
"The redevelopment of the Casino has been one of the most eagerly-anticipated projects in the Malahide area so it fills me with pride to be able to stand here today to open this wonderful heritage property.
"It goes without saying that the Casino Model Railway Museum will be a spectacular amenity for local and visitors, both young and old, to enjoy for years to come."
