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.

Sunday 10 December 2017

Latest Update

Apologies for a lack of updates on the building of Hadarford recently. However we have now discussed with a neighbour the building of the railway room under the sheeting. They are keen to do the job for us, with our help. As they do have other work as a tree surgeon, they will be doing the work when they have time in the new year. As we told them we are not in any hurry, but it does suit them this time of year as their tree surgery works does drop during the winter time.

Both my wife Jo and I are now looking forward to the start of the build, which will be another step forward.

As we will also be away for Christmas this will probably be the last update until the new year, so may I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Merry-Christmas-2

P.S. I wonder what Santa Claus will bring me?

Keith.