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 30 January 2019

Line-side Fencing Part 3 and Gravestones Part 2.

Another section of line-side fencing installed. 
Unfortunately I underestimated how much I needed and have run out so I have ordered some more which is in the post.


Having dry-brushed the gravestones, I have now fixed the in place in the churchyard.

Keith.

Towpaths and Garage Compound Revealed.

This morning after I returned from doing our food shop I vacuumed up the loose material on the towpaths and access paths to reveal them.





I also did the same for the garage compound.

Keith.


Tuesday 29 January 2019

Gravestones.

I have just painted the gravestones for the churchyard.

Keith.

Line-side Fencing Part 2

This morning I removed the excess material from the church path, garage compound and the towpaths to discovery that there were bald patches. I think this was due to having to apply a lot of glue at one go and had started to dry in places before I sprinkled the materials on. I then applied more glue and material on the bald patches. 

This afternoon I have been fixing in place further sections of line-side fencing between the level crossing and the road bridge and alongside the canal wharf siding. this now completes this section of fencing.



Keith.

Monday 28 January 2019

Towpath, Church Path, Garage Compound etc.

Having completed blanking out the inside of buildings with lights in the Bakery still had light showing through, so yesterday I added the poster on the wall of the Bakery to hide it.


This morning I have laid the canal towpaths above the lock.


below the lock.


At the lock.


I have also laid the gravel path to the church.


I have also laid the gravel in the garage compound. I have to leave all of these to dry overnight before removing the excess to ensure it has all glued in place. From experience in the past I have done this far too soon and consequently removed too much.


I have also fixed in place the 1st section of line-side fencing from the level crossing to the canal wharf.

Keith.




Sunday 27 January 2019

Jo's Tea Rooms 1st Customers

This afternoon I fixed in place the tables and chairs in Jo's Tea Rooms, including 2 customers.




I have also made and fixed in place the stone steps down from the tea garden to the lock-side.

Keith.

Inside Building Details, etc.

A busy past few days adding dividing walls etc. to prevent the lights inside shining through the resin walls of the buildings. I had painted the insides of all of them black, but there are places which were not accessible to paint and even having painted black the light was still shining through.

This is the Chemists showing how it has been divided up so that the lights for the shop only shine in the shop and the lights in the flat above do not shine in the shop, as well as through the walls. A lot of hard work which viewers will never really appreciate, but for me very necessary.


Tiled floor of the Chemists.


Tiled floor of the Bakery.


Wooden floor of Jo's Tea Rooms.


Large rugs in the lock keepers cottage.


Tables and chairs for Jo's Tea Rooms all painted ready to be installed.


Small section of wall behind the general stores.

Keith.

Friday 25 January 2019

Level Crossing Lamps

This morning and early afternoon I have fitted and wired up the last 2 street lamps at the level crossing and fitted the last section of stone wall at the level crossing.


Keith.

Thursday 24 January 2019

Station Road Street Lamps

This afternoon I have installed and wired up the street lamps for station road, alongside the station and in front of the hotel.


Keith.

Wednesday 23 January 2019

Chemists & Bakery Back Yards Part 2

This evening I painted and fixed in place the brick walls for the back yards of the Chemists and Bakery.
View through the Chemists archway.


The 2 back yards and the brick walls around them.


Keith.

Chemists & Bakery Back Yards.

This afternoon I have been constructing the brick walls for the Chemists and Bakery back yards. 
I have made them out of scrap bits.


All squared up waiting for the glue to set.

Keith.

Start of the Smaller Details

This morning I have made a start on the smaller details of the layout by creating the yard behind the newsagents.

York-stone flooring, rear brick wall and side fencing and gate all painted and fixed in place.


Two section of brick wall alongside the newsagents.
Note the unfinished balsa wood base between the two new sections of brick wall.


Section of base brick walling covering the balsa wood base.

Keith.

Tuesday 22 January 2019

Stone Walls Part 3

The final sections of stone wall glued in place, around the hotel.


Around the small cottage.

Keith.

Stone Walls Part 2

Further Stone walls glued in place.
The canal side wall in the village.


The two canal-side cottages walls.


Start of the walls around the long cottage.

Keith.

Village Stone Walls

This morning I have started gluing in place the various stone walls on the rest of the layout.
All the joints have to be checked for alignment and filed and sand-papered to fit before gluing in place.

The tea garden at Jo's Tea Rooms.


The walls around the pub car park, beer garden and access path to the road.


A close-up of the pub car park walls and gate.


The continuation of the stone walls from the pub beer garden around Hadarford Lodge.


Keith.