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.

Thursday 5 September 2019

Changes to Road Markings

Ever since I painted the road markings I have never been happy with them in the village.
This was the original markings with an unequal space either side at the parking bay.


Today I added some new markings equidistant between the parking bay and the stone wall.


Then I removed the original markings, much happier now.

Keith.

Gorse Bushes and Brambles

This morning I have started to add some gorse bushes and brambles behind the station buildings.


I have also added some brambles behind the platform end up to the maintenance yard entrance.

Keith.

Wednesday 4 September 2019

Static Grass Part 14

This morning I have added some 4mm grass to the 2mm grass that I did yesterday.


However I have been struggling to photograph it, it must be camera shy!

Keith.

Tuesday 3 September 2019

Static Grass Part 13

This afternoon I have put down another section of static grass behind the station buildings.


Right up to the maintenance yard entrance.

Keith.

Sunday 1 September 2019

Farmyard Grass.

Today I have added some static grass around the farmyard.
Behind the 2 barns.




Behind the dutch barn.



Keith.