THE OUTCRY from appalled train and toy enthusiasts who called into Joe Duffy’s radio programme on February 17th, following our report that the Fry Model Railway and Tara’s Palace at the Museum of Childhood have been given notice to quit Malahide Castle by Fingal County Council, appears to have yielded results.

While railway enthusiasts and collectors are concerned that the Fry model railway collection is being dismantled and put into storage, DublinTourism says there has been a “fantastic” response to the plea for suitable new owners to house and exhibit the collection, with around 10 serious contenders.

Dublin Tourism, which owns the collection, has been actively looking for someone to acquire both the model railway and Cyril Frys collection because, it says, it no longer has the resources to maintain it and is trying to make sure it stays within the state.

“We are confident that the entire collection including the model railway will find somewhere it can be housed that will preserve its integrity,” says Paul Hayden from Dublin Tourism, who says he is also confident it will stay in the country.

There is a deed of covenant attached to the collection which stipulates that it must be displayed in a suitable location.