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. One 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.

This is a full record of the building of the original layout, and having moved into a flat in Warwick and sold our narrowboat, this will now cover the building of the New Hadarford in our flat.

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

Wednesday, 29 April 2026

Forgotten Path and Ladder

I forgot to add a path between the water tank and coal stage, now remedied.

Ladder added to the end of the coa stage.

Keith

Tuesday, 28 April 2026

Another Small Car Park

I glued a hut by the tunnel portal, then tarmacked the area behind the water tower and a tarmac path from it to the hut using emery cloth.

Tarmac area painted

Keith

Sunday, 26 April 2026

Water Crane & Fire Devil Part 3

Painting of the water crane, overflow cup and fire devil.

Initial painting of the black parts and the 2 bases

Close-up of the 2 bases now painted

Arm of water crane painted cream and handle of water valve painted red, all 3 items glued in place and ballast glued around the bases

Keith

Saturday, 25 April 2026

Water Crane & Fire Devil Part 2

This afternoon I sprayed with primer the 3 parts that make up the water crane.

Water crane

Overflow cup

Firedevil

Keith

Friday, 24 April 2026

Water Crane & Fire Devil Part 1

Today this water crane and fire devil arrived in the post, didn't take long to assemble it, just needs painting.

Approximately where the water crane will go

Close to the coal stage and water tank.

Keith

Wednesday, 22 April 2026

Water Tank & Coal Stage

This afternoon I weathered the water tank as it needed toning down, glued it onto the baseboard and also glued the coal stage next to it.

Before weathering

After weathering and slued in place

Coal stage glued in place

Keith

Tuesday, 21 April 2026

More fencing

This afternoon I created this fence and posts to enclose Bob's Hot Dogs trailer, posts painted then all glued in place this evening.

Keith

Monday, 20 April 2026

Final Castle Mound Stone Wall and Fencing

Final pieces of stone wall and fencing for the castle mound.


	I made this last piece of stone wall for the castle mound and glued it onto the stone pillar I made yesterday

Sprayed with primer

On both sides

Painted, weathered and glued in place

This now completed the car park walls

Final 3 sections of fencing on the castle mound

Castle mound all ready for static grass

From a lower viewing angle

Keith

Sunday, 19 April 2026

Car Park Fencing, Stone Pillar and Stone Wall

I prepared and glued in place this section of fencing alongside the car park.

I created a stone pillar to go at the end of the fencing.

I sprayed it with primer.

Close-up of the stone pillar in place.

I created a section of stone wall to go on the edge of the car park.

Fence, stone pillar and stone wall in place.

Stone wall sprayed with primer.

This evening I painted the small piece of wall, hopefully with a bit of weathering it will closely match the castle walls, seeing as it has been made from stones from the ruins!

Stone wall weathered and glued in place

Car park for the castle ruins taking shape

Keith

Saturday, 18 April 2026

Castle Mound Part 23 and Level Crossing Part 4

I glued the castle ruins onto the castle mound.

Then I added this section of fencing below the pedestrian access steps to the castle mound

Coming together rather nicely

There was a large gap at the top of the pedestrian access steps between the top step and the ground which I have now filled with a piece of wood (piece of a wooden stirring stick)

Level crossing gateposts sprayed with primer.

Level crossing gateposts sprayed with matt white.

Keith

Friday, 17 April 2026

Pavements and Level Crossing Part 3

Various tasks done today, weathering, gluing, painting and a new arrival.

Which weathering powder should I use? I have a good range to choose from.

Cobblestone floor for the castle tower weathered and glued in the tower.

Yorkstone paving weathered.

Bank, photographers' shop and pedestrian access steps to the castle glued in place.

Centre wood planks of the level crossing brush painted with primer, I also sprayed the access ramps for the level crossing with primer (but forgot to take a photo!😕)

New arrival

This model of Harold's Larder arrived today.

It will complete the row of buildings at the rear of the layout, I need 2 half-relief buildings to fill the gap to finish, I just have to wait for them to come up on eBay, at the right price!

Keith