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.

Friday 30 April 2021

3 More Locos Part 5

 Spent quite a bit of time today creating a sieve with 2mm holes.

 Then crushed up some coal in a plastic bag and then hitting with a hammer.

Then sifted through the new sieve.

Then sifted through a tea strainer to remove the finer dust to leave pieces of coal of a suitable size.

Then carefully placed pieces in all the coal bunkers on all 3 locos before dropping in a touch of diluted PVA glue.




Keith

Wednesday 28 April 2021

3 More Locos Part 4

Coat of matt black, then touched up the green, then touched up the black, then touched up the green, and finally touched up the black. 

Some very awkward places to paint especially where green and black meet where only the longest very narrow paintbrush can reach.


Keith

Tuesday 27 April 2021

3 More Locos Part 3

 Coat of Brunswick green applied this morning.

Keith

Monday 26 April 2021

3 More Locos Part 2

 All 3 locos primered, will leave them overnight to dry.

Keith

3 More Locos

 Friday the double Fairlie loco arrived (the white loco on the right), called a double Fairlie because it is basically built as 2 locos joined together with a common cab in the centre, designed so it did not need turning when it reached each end of the railway. 

The other 2 locos arrived this morning. 

They are all now soaking in caustic soda prior to spraying with primer paint.


Keith

Saturday 24 April 2021

Mouse Watching

 Megan Wright's cat Blacky has a good spot for watching for mice in Megan's veg patch.


 But to me it looks like he has fallen asleep in the warm sunshine.

Keith

Wednesday 21 April 2021

Resident Cat

 Rose Radcliffe's white cat is strutting home atop the newsagents yard wall despite an unsuccessful mouse hunt :( I have come up with names for the human residents of Hadarford, guess I will have to think about doing the same for their pets. :) 

Keith

Tuesday 20 April 2021

 Up fish delivery from South Crossing harbour about to pass Hadarford wharf on it's way to Alfa Central.

Keith

Wednesday 14 April 2021

Not Often Seen View

 One of a few views from the rear of the layout not often seen unless using a mirror, then the road name is back to front. 

At least I remembered to hang the curtain up to obscure the far side of the hold.

Keith

Sunday 11 April 2021

Sunday Special Passenger Service

 A down mixed Sunday special passenger service heading to South Crossing.

Keith

Saturday 10 April 2021

Saddle Tanks Double Heading

 2 saddle tanks double heading a down heavy freight train passing Hadarford wharf.

Keith

Friday 9 April 2021

Storage Tray No.8

 Another storage tray arrived today.


Glued and screwed.


 Already half full with wagons.

Keith

Milk Delivery

 Early morning up milk delivery passing Hadarford wharf.

It says what it is on the tin, I only applied the milk van transfers yesterday.

Keith

Thursday 8 April 2021

Steam Railcar Service

 Steam railcar service rounding Hadarford Hill on it's way to Alfa Central.


Returning steam railcar service from Alfa Central passing Hadarford Wood with extra carriage and empty milk van in tow.

Keith

Tuesday 6 April 2021

Sunday 4 April 2021

Easter Sunday Special. 🐰🐣🐥

 Easter Sunday special passing Hadarford Wood. 🐰🐣🐥

Keith

Saturday 3 April 2021

Ground Signals

 This afternoon I finished painting the 4 ground signals by adding the red stripe across the white disc face.

The 4 cats have had some detail added, yellows eyes to all 4 and white breast, paws and tail tip to the black cat.

The scooter has had a 2nd coat of gloss white, I think it needs a further coat before adding the detail.

Keith

Easter Weekend Special

 Easter weekend special service passing Hadarford lock.

Keith

Friday 2 April 2021

Good Friday

Good Friday and the start of steam services with Baldwin's "Keith" and "Joanne" on passenger duty. 

Being a bank holiday, Mr Beeton has brought some of his steam road vehicles out from his compound to join in. 

Keith

Thursday 1 April 2021

For Andy Healey

 Following Andy Healey's comment about the Triumph TR7 next the the Long Cottage a week ago.

The Triumph section of the Hadarford Car Club parked in the car park of the Station Hotel.

Roger Brown who owns the Station Hotel along with his wife Betty, is a petrol head, and a prominent figure in the Hadarford Car Club.

They often host meals for the various sections of the club in their hotel.

Apart from the TR7 you mentioned Andy, there is a TR4, Stag, TR6,  and Vitesse.


The Jaguar section of the car club, the largest individual manufacturer section in the club.


The Lotus and MG section.


The miscellaneous section of the car club.

Keith

Another New Boiler Test

 Another new boiler being tested ready for the start of steam traction tomorrow.

Keith