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 have now built the layout. This is now a full record of the building of this layout and any new additions along the way.

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

Saturday 23 March 2019

Road Steam Engines Part 2

This morning I repainted the last 2 steam road vehicles.
I have left the truck in it's original blue colour as it is a recent acquirement by the garage owner, and is being worked on, hence no front axle.


All 5 steam road vehicles.


In their rightful places in the compound.

Keith.

Friday 22 March 2019

Road Steam Engines

I repainted these 2 today, the roller was blue, and the traction engine had very badly painted yellow lining, and both had paint chips.
Both looking a lot smarter now.


Keith.

Thursday 21 March 2019

Lawns Part 4

The farmhouse now has a front lawn.



Keith.

Lawns Part 3

Yesterday I laid the lawns for Hadarford Lodge, this morning I vacuumed up the loose material and refitted the trees etc.



Keith.

Sunday 17 March 2019

Lawns Part 2

This afternoon I created the lawn for the pub's beer garden.

Keith.

Lawns Part 1

This morning I started on the lawns, the farmhouse and one of the farm workers cottages.


The 2nd farm workers cottage.


Lawns in front of the 2 canal-side cottages.

Keith.

Tuesday 12 March 2019

Water Crane, Yard Crane and Wharf Cranes Part 3

Today I finished painting the water crane and yard crane for the engine maintenance area.


I also painted and finished assembling the 2 yard cranes for the canal wharf.


I wasn't happy with the original position of the water crane, so I have moved it.


Keith.

Sunday 10 March 2019

Water Crane, Yard Crane and Wharf Cranes Part 2

This afternoon I primered the water crane and 3 yard cranes.

Keith.

Canal Wharf Cranes

This morning I constructed these 2 cranes which will go on the canal wharf.
I have not completed building them as I want to paint them before final assembly to make the painting easier.
They have been washed to remove grease and I am waiting for them to dry.

Keith.

Saturday 9 March 2019

Water Crane & Yard Crane

Knocked up these two today for the engine maintenance area.
A water crane.


A yard crane

Keith.

Friday 8 March 2019

Out Cruising.

We set off from our mooring this morning on our Spring/Summer cruise, and as such I will not be posting on here until we return in July. I will get very little time to do any modelling whilst we are out travelling, but you can follow our cruise, if you so wish, at http://www.hadar.org.uk/.

Keith.

Thursday 7 March 2019

Low Loader

The garage owner now has a low loader to move his traction engines to shows.

Keith.

Wednesday 6 March 2019

Painting Railway Carriages Part 11

The finished luggage carriages.


Keith.

Painting Railway Carriages Part 10

The 2 luggage carriages have had a coat of primer.

Keith.

Tuesday 5 March 2019

Painting Railway Carriages Part 9

Today I finished painting the 5 toast-rack carriages.
I had put 2 coats of crimson onto the red-oxide primer, but I wasn't happy how it was going, so I did a coat of white primer, then 2 coats of crimson, much more like it. 


Due to their open nature there is not a lot of cream, only the four corner posts.

Keith.

Monday 4 March 2019

Painting Railway Carriages Part 8

Today I have started painting the 5 toast-rack coaches by giving them a coat of red-oxide primer.

Keith.

Sunday 3 March 2019

Painting Railway Carriages Part 7

All the carriages have their new livery finished.


Keith.

Friday 1 March 2019

Painting Railway Carriages Part 6

2nd coat of crimson on all the carriages on this side, 1st coat on the other side.

Keith.