HADARFORD

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 am now building the layout. This will be an ongoing record of the building of this layout.

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

Tuesday, 27 September 2022

Size Comparison

Newly finished 3D printed 0-4-0 diesel 'Chas' with rtr (ready to run) Roco 0-6-0 diesel 'Becky' as a size comparison. 😊

Keith

Sunday, 18 September 2022

New Diesel Shunter Project Part 4

This morning I finished the new diesel now named 'Chas' by adding glazing, a driver and then fitting the chassis, already in service passing Hadarford lock with a small freight train. 😊

Keith

Saturday, 17 September 2022

New Diesel Shunter Project Part 3

Name plates fitted, buffer beams painted red, and radiator grill and lower section of footplate painted matt black. 😊

Keith

New Diesel Shunter Project Part 2

This morning I made a start on the new diesel shunter by gluing the 2 couplings into the body and then gluing paint sticks to the body and roof.

Once the glue had set I then primered both parts. 😊

Although it doesn't show, this afternoon I sprayed the new diesel with matt varnish 😊

Keith

Thursday, 15 September 2022

New Diesel Shunter Project

Today the Kato chassis arrived, so I can now make a start on my next project. 😊

Keith

Summertime 'Toast Rack' Special

0-4-0 'Leo' ahead of the last summertime 'toast rack' specials for this year passing Hadarford wood. 😊

Keith

Monday, 12 September 2022

0-4-4-0 Double Fairlie 'Merddin Emrys'

0-4-4-0 Double Fairlie 'Merddin Emrys' awaiting the signal to pass through Hadarford station with an open wagon train, whilst 0-6-0 saddle tank 'Beryl' waits with a mixed freight train in the wharf siding. 😊

Keith

Tuesday, 30 August 2022

2 Open Wagon Kits Part 4

Today I completed the 2 open wagons by adding transfers and some light weathering.

In service being hauled by 0-6-0 saddle tank 'Valerie' past Hadarford lock. 😊

Keith

Monday, 29 August 2022

2 Open Wagon Kits Part 3

This afternoon I painted the 2 open wagons. 😊

Keith

Sunday, 28 August 2022

2 Open Wagon Kits Part 2

This afternoon I spray primered the 2 open wagons. 😊

Keith

Saturday, 27 August 2022

2 Open Wagon Kits

Wednesday I made a start on constructing 2 open wagon kits.

4 sides and floor for both wagons glued together.

One solebar glued to each wagon, glue allowed to dry before going further.

2nd solebar glued with wheels fitted to both wagons.

Brake gear fitted.

Today I added the door stops and the Greenwich coupling.

Ready now for painting.

Keith

Friday, 19 August 2022

0-4-0 'Princess'

0-4-0 'Princess' hauling a mixed freight below the long retaining wall. 😊

Keith

Tuesday, 16 August 2022

4 Years On

Can't believe the difference, from the 1st landscape in place this day 4 years ago, and today. 😳

I probably got to this stage 30 months ago, it just happened to pop up in my memories as occurring on this day 4 years ago. 😊

Keith

Thursday, 11 August 2022

'Peggy' and 'Tim'

Caricature Bo-Bo's D581 'Peggy' and D661 'Tim' passing Hadarford lock with a heavy coal train. 😊

Keith

Monday, 8 August 2022

Busy Day

2-6-0 'Doris' emerging from Hadarford tunnel with an up passenger service, whilst 0-6-0 saddle tank 'Wendy' takes on coal and 0-4-0 'Hadar' awaits to take on diesel. 😊

Keith

Sunday, 7 August 2022

3 Baldwins

A very rare sight, all 3 Baldwins, 'Joanne', 'Keith' and 'Alfred James' running light through Hadarford station. 😊

Keith

Saturday, 6 August 2022

'Princess'

0-4-0 'Princess' on bugbox duty passing Hadarford wood 😊

Keith

Thursday, 4 August 2022

The Return Journey

0-6-2 'Alfred Henry' and 0-6-0 'Sooty' returning with the well wagons now carrying loads passing Hadarford lock. 😊

Keith

Wednesday, 3 August 2022

'Sooty', 'Alfred Henry' and 'Emma'

0-6-0 'Sooty' and 0-6-2 'Alfred Henry' ahead of a train of empty well wagons passing 0-4-0 'Emma' waiting to depart the wharf siding with a small freight train. 😊

Keith

Tuesday, 2 August 2022

Mail Service

Boxcab 'Haedi' on the up mail service passing Hadarford lock. 😊

Keith

Sunday, 31 July 2022

Double Double Fairlie Take

Double double Fairlie take as 'Pandora' waits for 'Merddin Emrys' to clear the line with the down passenger service before departing with the up service. 😊