HADARFORD

From when my Parents gave me my first train set for a Christmas present as a child, I have had an interest in model railways. I originally started in "OO" gauge, but have also built in "N" and "O" gauge. The last layout I built was my exhibition layout "Holmehurst" which was in "O" gauge, and I exhibited it around the country. Photos of it can be seen by following this link.

I inherited some "OO9" rolling stock from my late father, including a loco I built from a white metal kit for him, and ever since living on our working narrowboat Hadar I have been thinking about building a "OO9" layout.

For those who do not know, "OO9" is "OO" scale, which is 4mm to 1ft, but the track and rolling stock are narrow gauge, equivalent to 2ft gauge in real life. Modelling-wise this means that I can used standard "OO" scale buildings, people, scenery etc. of which there is a far greater range of ready built items and kits to choose from, but it has the advantage that the reduced size of the track and rolling stock means that curves can be tighter than for standard gauge, without losing a realistic look within a restricted layout size.

I had thought about building a layout in our garden alongside our mooring at the Saltisford Canal Centre, but after much thought decided that this would not be practical. However I built a small layout (now dismantled) which sat on the shelf above the display cabinet, in our saloon, which houses my "O" gauge rolling stock. Having finished it, my wife Jo suggested that when we stop selling coal I could build a layout in the hold. As we stopped selling coal at the end of 2016, I am now building the layout. This will be an ongoing record of the building of this layout.

Please feel free to leave comments, I am always interested in suggestions or questions.

Friday, 24 September 2021

LOADING ONLY

With the success of the new bus stop road markings I attempted to add the "LOADING ONLY" markings, not too successful, but will have to do.

Keith

Bus Stops Part 2

Having left the asphalt paint to dry overnight, this morning I added the bus stop boxes.

Having fixed them in place, I then weathered them to reduce the bright yellow glow and to disguise the new and old paint joints.

Keith

Thursday, 23 September 2021

Bus Stops

When I 1st painted the road markings on Hadarford I was not impressed with the result of the lettering 'BUS STOP' in the bus stop boxes, so I removed them and I have lived with only the boxes since. As I have buses parked on them the missing letters was not obvious.

But as I don't always want to have buses there, some time ago I purchased some vinyl road markings, but because of my issues with prolapsed discs and facet joint arthritis since then, I have left fitting them until today.

I have added the letters, but having done so, the original hand painted boxes did not match, so I have painted both boxes out and will add the vinyl boxes supplied on the sheet tomorrow when the asphalt paint has dried overnight. The whole road section will need weathering once everything has set to disguise the difference in the new and old asphalt paint.

Keith

Saturday, 18 September 2021

Birthday Presents

The 3 vehicles my wife Jo bought me for my birthday today, a Bedford CA crew bus and a Commer Q25, both in the adopted British Railways livery alongside my other BR road vehicles.

And a Fowler B6 Road Locomotive 'Titan' amongst Mr Beetons other steam road vehicles in the pound behind his garage.

Keith

Friday, 17 September 2021

Planters

Found these on eBay a few days ago, they arrived this morning.

This evening I have distributed them at various locations around Hadarford.

Keith

Wednesday, 8 September 2021

New Trees

Today some half relief trees arrived in the post, which I have now placed behind the stone wall on the other side of the track to Hadarford Hill, along with some additional bushes and shrubs to fill in the gaps.

0-6-0 saddle tank 'Beryl' on the up passenger service passing around the hill.

Keith

Sunday, 22 August 2021

Yesterday I fitted the wrought iron gate between the vicarage and the church hall.

Today I made a wall and flower bed to fill in the corner, there is more to do to it to finish.

Keith

Converted Damaged Toast Rack Coach

Some time ago I damaged the roof of one of my toast rack coaches and to date I have lived with the damage, but I came across a photo of one with the roof removed, so I did the conversion today. 😊

Keith

Saturday, 21 August 2021

Wrought Iron Gate

This afternoon I fixed the wrought iron gate between the church hall and the vicarage.

Keith

Friday, 20 August 2021

Transfers for Gunpowder Van

Got round to adding some transfers to the gunpowder van this afternoon. 💥

Keith

Thursday, 12 August 2021

The power of DB V 251 'Stephanie'

'Hadarford' may be a preserved line, but it still serves a purpose in transporting freight of all sorts and sizes.

The power of DB V 251 'Stephanie' needed to shift this large electrical transformer passing Hadarford lock.

Keith

Tuesday, 10 August 2021

Baldwin 'Joanne'

Baldwin 'Joanne' on the up toast rack service awaiting the level crossing being set open at Hadarford station.

Keith

Sunday, 8 August 2021

Logging Engine 'Marmite'

Logging engine 'Marmite' doing what it was built for, hauling logs, below the retaining wall.

Keith

Friday, 6 August 2021

DB V 251 'Victoria'

DB V 251 'Victoria' on heavy haulage passing Hadarford lock. 😊

Keith

Tuesday, 3 August 2021

'Alfred James' and 'Alfred Henry'

'Alfred James' and 'Alfred Henry' double heading a heavy tanker train past Hadarford lock.

Keith

Sunday, 1 August 2021

Insul-fish Train

0-6-0 saddle tank 'Beryl' emerging from Hadarford tunnel hauling an Insul-fish freight train, passing 0-6-0 side tank 'Douglas' taking on coal and 0-6-0 diesel 'Oscar' waiting to take on diesel in the maintenance yard.

Keith

Friday, 30 July 2021

More Transfers

Yesterday some new transfers arrived in the post, this morning I was able to finish off detailing by adding the stars and data labels to the 5 tanker wagons.