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 26 November 2020

Leo Repaint Part 2

 0-6-0 diesel Leo fresh from the paint shop with it's new livery.



Keith

Storage Tray No.7

 Storage tray No.7 for cars arrived yesterday, this morning I assembled it.

Keith

Wednesday 25 November 2020

Leo Repaint

Earlier in the week Leo received a coat of grey primer spray paint, this morning I sprayed it with matt varnish which arrived this morning.

Before varnishing.




After varnishing.





Wednesday 18 November 2020

2 New Storage Boxes

 Over the past couple of days I have assembles an extra 2 storage trays for road vehicles.


This tray is for all my lorries, fire appliances and the double decker bus (which is too high to fit in the tray with the other bus and coaches).


This one is for vans, farm vehicles, coaches, small lorries and Mr Beeton's steam road vehicles.

Keith

Monday 9 November 2020

Hadarford WI

 The ladies of Hadarford WI enjoying their 2nd trip on the railway.

This time they are more prepared and have essential supplies in tow 😳🍻🍻🍻


Keith

Sunday 8 November 2020

Remembrance Sunday 2020

Poppy wreaths laid at the war memorial from this morning's Remembrance Sunday service at Hadarford.

Lest we forget 🌺 

Keith

Friday 6 November 2020

Heavy Duty Tender Part 2

 This morning I finished painting both the Jouef 0-4-0 loco and it's new "monster" 6 wheeler tender and added some coal to the tender. I just need to acquire a crew to finish it off.



Keith

Wednesday 4 November 2020

Heavy Duty Tender

 Recently I purchased this Jouef 0-4-0 loco which was missing its cab rear and roof. 

So yesterday and this morning I have been building a tender for it, which many modellers tend to do to these little loco that have the cab missing.

I have used the body of a Minitrains coal wagon, which I cut the chassis off so at it would fit on top of an 0-6-0 chassis which from the tender of a Minitrix N gauge loco I bought to use the chassis of the loco for a 3D printed loco.

I cut off one of the ends of the coal wagon and then fitted a new floor inside the wagon.


Viewed from the loco end.


I fixed 2 couplings underneath the chassis.


I cut and fixed a new footplate to the chassis.


The wagon top attached to the new footplate on the chassis.


Viewed from the loco end.


Pictured connected to the loco, they just both need painting, and then fitting some coal in the tender.


Primer coat applied.


Keith