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.

Tuesday 31 March 2020

Carriage Numbers

Today I added the transfers to the carriage I painted one side of yesterday.


I also numbered the other side of the carriage, its work train side.


Just one of the 4 wheelers with its numbers added.


I also added numbers to the other sides of the two 4 wheelers I have  left in their Indian red livery on the other side.


The completed 4 wheeler set.


I also numbered the bogie carriages.


I  recently purchased a Snapper bar, which I have repainted, added transfers and numbered. Each carriage has a unique number, even those with different liveries have different numbers for each side.

Keith.

Monday 30 March 2020

Double Use Carriage

This afternoon I painted one side of this brown carriage, so its brown side is seen when it is in the works train.


It now has a crimson/cream side for addition to my 4 wheeler set.


I think it fits in with the other 4 wheelers rather nicely. 
It still needs its transfers, but I have left them for tomorrow to allow the paint to harden fully. 
Seeing as it is slightly longer than the other 4 wheelers, I am going to make it first class.
Painting each side differently can cut down on costs of buying lots of rolling stock and having space to store them, and if your rolling stock is viewed from one side on the layout.

Keith

Cill Markers and Signs

Today I added the "Keep boat forward of cill marker" warning signs on the top lock gate beams and the cill markers on the lock-side. 
It has taken me 12 years to find a decent one to photograph!


Keith.

Sunday 22 March 2020

Mushroom Vents

Yesterday I was wondering how to make 4 mushroom vents. 
Searching through my bits box I found this sprue with 4 suitable nodules.


I cut them off, glued them to the roof and painted them and the 2 cross-members fitted yesterday.


Keith.

2nd Barbecue Part 2

Today I made the barbecue grill and charcoal tray. 


I then painted the brickwork with the mortar colour. 


Once dried I then painted the individual bricks. 
Once that was dry I glued in place the 2 side slabs, the grill and charcoal tray. 


The finished barbecue is now in it's place at Hadarford Lodge.

Keith.

Cross Beams

Yesterday I added the 2 cross beams on Hadar's roof which the original builder of the model had left off. 
I had to remove the 2 mushroom vents he had fitted as they were where one of the beams had to go. 
I need to make 4 mushroom vents somehow, need some thought about that. 
I have given the roof an initial coat of paint, a tad difficult with everything stuck on the roof!
Might need a few more coats to bring it to the standard that Jo paints the real roof!

Keith.

Saturday 21 March 2020

2nd Barbecue

Today I started to build a 2nd large barbecue (the 1st was for the Boat Inn) and is for 
Hadarford Lodge.

Keith.

Friday 20 March 2020

Solar Panel.

I have added a temporary solar panel on the model of Hadar.
I need to print it on photographic paper, but I have run out.

Keith.

Pigeon Box.

New pigeon box for the model of Hadar, the colour isn't quite right. 
I will have to do some work on that.

Keith.

Thursday 12 March 2020

Life Belts Part 5

Today I fixed in place the 2 posts and 4 brackets at various locations around the canal and attached the new life belts.






Keith.

Wednesday 11 March 2020

Life Belts Part 3

This evening I have started to create hanks of rope for the new life belts.
I started to pushing 2 headless pins into a piece of wood, space 6mm apart.


Then I tied a loop in the end of a length of cotton and looped this loop around one of the pins.


I then carried on wrapping the cotton around the 2 pins 10 times.


I then tied a half hitch around the loops.


I then wound the cotton around the loops to the other end and tied a further 2 half hitches..


Removed from the pins.


Attached to the life belt. I have done 6 of them, I have 3 more to do.


I have also created various hangers to hang the life belts on.

Keith.

Sunday 8 March 2020

Lifebelts Part 2

Today I painted these 9 lifebelts.
I probably won't be using them all, I will select the best ones.
Unlike the 1st 2 they are not in cabinets.

Keith.

Thursday 5 March 2020

Vacuum Brake Pipes

Vacuum brake pipe fitting day today.
Steam loco fronts.


Steam loco backs.


Diesel vacuum brake and steam heating pipes.


4 wheeler coaches.


Toast track coaches and 2 baggage vans.

Keith.

Wednesday 4 March 2020

Brake 3rd/Buffet Car

Brake 3rd coach one side.
I still need to make the buffet car interior for this coach, so I can rotate them according to which way round it is, but that will have to wait for another day.


Buffet car the other side.


I still need to make the buffet car interior for this coach, so I can rotate them according to which way round it is, but that will have to wait for another day.

Keith.








Monday 2 March 2020

Stock Storage Boxes

This morning this set of 4 stackable storage boxes arrived. 


They had to be assembled. 



Jo cut up some green sheet for me to protect the stock. The stock is placed in the trays. 
This is the carriage tray.

This is the locomotive tray.


This is wagon tray 1.


This is the wagon tray 2.


The boxes are finally strapped together and will safely protect the stock whilst we are out travelling.

Keith.