HADARFORD: January 2018

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.

Wednesday, 31 January 2018

Bulkhead Finished

This morning we started in the last bit of the bulkhead, insulation in place including a temporary door of insulation on the right.

Bulkhead finished.

Jo starting the painting of the room.

Keith.

Tuesday, 30 January 2018

Railway Room Nearly Finished

First Sections of the bulkhead in place.

Then all the studding went up, followed by the insulation.

Then the inner wall, well almost all of it, just the bottom left corner to do.

Keith.

Monday, 29 January 2018

Ceiling Finished

Today we finished the ceiling, all the lights, and tidied up ready to start the bulkhead tomorrow.

Keith.

Sunday, 28 January 2018

First Part of Ceilling

Today we fitted the first sections of the ceiling and fitted the lights.

Keith.

Saturday, 27 January 2018

Side Roofs Finished

Today we finished the side roofs.

Keith.

Friday, 26 January 2018

4 More Roof Panels

Today we fitted a further 4 roof panels, including insulation.

Keith.

Thursday, 25 January 2018

First Roof Sections

This afternoon we fitted the 1st roof section.

The 2nd section fitted.

Keith.

Wednesday, 24 January 2018

Roof Supports Fitted

We fitted the roof supports in place this morning.

Keith.

Tuesday, 23 January 2018

Roof Supports

Jo helped me cut the roof supports this morning, all ready for painting.

Keith.

Monday, 22 January 2018

Final Timber Order Arrived

Just as we were rising from our bed this morning there was a knock on the boat.

Our final order of timber, to complete building the room and for the layout, had arrived.

Keith.

Wednesday, 17 January 2018

Cloudy Wallpaper

Bought a roll of this cloudy wallpaper from Homebase yesterday for £9.99 for a 10m roll.

Will be interesting to see how it looks behind the layout and, if successful, will be a cheap solution to backdrops for model railways.

Keith.

Tuesday, 16 January 2018

Another Addition to My Diesel Fleet

This diesel loco arrived today, my smallest engine so far.

Keith.

Sunday, 14 January 2018

New Lighting

This morning I temporarily installed the new permanent lighting, and removed the temporary lighting permanently.

Considering the temporary lighting has been in the hold for 10 years it hasn't done too bad. The temporary lighting was 4 12v halogen bulbs, 20 Watts per bulb, the new lighting is 4 LED light fittings, 2 Watts per fitting but equivalent to 25 Watts output each so brighter with less power consumed.

New lighting fitted temporarily but turned off, temporary lights on.

Temporary lights turned off, new lights on.

Temporary lights removed.

As can be seen from the photos then new lights are definitely brighter.

Keith.

Saturday, 13 January 2018

Hull Walls Finished

Port side finished today, it was lot easier today, and all the work was finished by 2.00pm.

Battens on the port side fixed in place.

Jo getting to grips with her new compact camera I bought her for Christmas.

The 2 large sheets of plywood fixed in place, with the socket box in place.

Just the last small piece to fit.

Both double sockets wired in and working.

The last piece of plywood on the port side fixed in place.

The final piece of plywood is fixed in place on the starboard side, that is enough for today.

Keith.

Friday, 12 January 2018

Starboard Side of Hull Nearly Finished

Busy day today, first we fitted all the battens to the starboard side.

First piece of Plywood fixed in place.

Second piece fixed in place with double power socket in it.

Just a small piece needed to finish the starboard side.

Keith.

Wednesday, 10 January 2018

Battens Cut Ready to be Installed and Another Addition to Engine Fleet

This morning Jo and I cut the battens ready for installation.

Unfortunately my first attempt to install the first batten failed! I managed to strip 3 Phillips No.2 bits trying to screw it to the steel bearers with the special self-drilling screws. Contacted the supplier ScrewFix and they recommend special bits for the job which I have ordered and will pick up tomorrow morning whilst I am out in Leamington Spa food shopping.

The engine at the back of my little railway arrived today, a great addition to my fleet of locos.

Keith.

Tuesday, 9 January 2018

First Delivery of Timber & Plywood

Today the first order of timber and plywood arrived.

Because of the lack of space in the hold we cannot store all the wood we need for the whole fit out, so this delivery is enough timber for the battens and walls for the walls below the gunwale.

I have also laid the mains cable in which will go behind the ply walls, which will give us a double socket on each wall.

Keith

Saturday, 6 January 2018

Hull insulation Completed

Hull insulation is now complete on both sides.

Keith.