HADARFORD: February 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.

Saturday, 24 February 2018

Canal Walls

This afternoon I started to work on the canal walls.

This is the brick wall under the canal bridge on the towpath side.

This is the brick wall under the bridge, but on the offside, with the stone wall which is between the brick wall and the canal wharf.

A view of the full extent of the stone wall between the bridge and the wharf.

The wharf wall and where it narrows down before the road bridge and lock.

The full canal wharf.

Keith.

Friday, 23 February 2018

Running to Time?

Fixed the sign, that Jo had made for me, and a clock on the bulkhead.

Further scenery planning.

The village hall, vicarage and church.

Village shops and cottages. Post Office and attached pair of cottages, general store, garage and cottage, the butchers then the newsagents. Opposite the Post Office and the cottages is the chemists, the empty space on the corner will be Jo's Tea Rooms but I have to find an appropriate model. I am watching out for one on eBay. Opposite the general store is the lock keepers cottage and canal side store.

Hadarford Manor, large thatched cottage, The Boat Inn and disused hair saloon.

Keith.

Thursday, 22 February 2018

Control Panel Finished

This afternoon I finished the control panel by painting it. The 2 units are now connected to the mains supply. Both units are ready for wiring to the track once installed.

The walkabout unit is plugged into the rear of the main controller. I may add a hook to hang it from.

Keith.

Wednesday, 21 February 2018

Control Panel

Had a busy morning and afternoon till 3:00pm making bird nesting boxes for the site.

Not much time left today, but I have managed to construct the control panel mounted in front of the fiddle-yard. I can plug into the rear of the controller a walkabout unit.

Keith.

Tuesday, 20 February 2018

Scenery Planning and Further Painting

Last night I spent some time planning out the landscaping around the lock and village area using some of the remaining insulation.

Today I filled all the screw holes in the fiddle-yard timber-work and then painted it.

Keith.

Monday, 19 February 2018

Muddy Baseboard

Having popped up to Leamington Spa this morning to buy a pot of matt brown paint, this afternoon I painted the baseboard.

I started with painting underneath the farm tunnel.

The farm area over the tunnel.

Looking back at the farm and tunnel.

The canal wharf.

Hadarford village and canal lock.

Keith.

Saturday, 17 February 2018

Farm Tunnel Part 2

Further work on the farm tunnel today.

The tunnel portal and track in place leading to the lift off bridge.

Close up showing the 2 screws below the track and soldered to it, to guarantee the track doesn't move as it has to align with the track on the lift off bridge.

The tunnel track glued in place.

The tunnel cover which will be the baseboard for the farm.

Keith.

Thursday, 15 February 2018

Farm Tunnel

Yesterday Jo gave me this sign for Valentines Day. 😁

Today I cut out the hole in the baseboard under the farm area so I can access the track in the tunnel to clean it.

What will be the baseboard for the farm, with the tunnel underneath.

Keith.

Wednesday, 14 February 2018

Lower Section of Canal Finished

I filled in underneath the canal cutout today.

This will be the canal wharf.

Looking from the canal wharf towards the canal lock.

Keith.

Tuesday, 13 February 2018

Lower Section of the Canal

Spent this morning planning and measuring and marking out where the lower section of canal below the lock needed to be cut out.

After lunch I cut out the canal from the baseboard.

I have also started to increase the water depth of the canal with off-cuts of ply underneath the baseboard. This will give me a water depth of 3' 6", plenty of water for Hadar!