HADARFORD: July 2020

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, 29 July 2020

Mini Class 20 & 47 Part 2

Mini Class 47 and 20 painted today, awaiting the transfers and chassis's in the post to complete.

Keith

Mini Class 20 & 47

These 2 arrived this morning, a mini class 20 and a mini class 47, primer coat applied already.

Keith

Monday, 27 July 2020

No Waiting

Today I created these "No Waiting" signs and placed them around the layout.

If you can't quite read them,this is the original sign.

Keith

Sunday, 26 July 2020

Stop-Go Boards

A few days ago I made a pair of stop/go boards.

I have fixed them to a couple of operatives and placed them either side of the roadworks scene. ⛏

Keith

Saturday, 25 July 2020

Notice Boards Part 2

3 more noticeboards made and fitted on the layout this morning.

Considering the noticeboard on the back of the station building is actually on the back side of it, not a bad guess at getting it level!

In the village.

On the pub wall.

Keith

Friday, 24 July 2020

Mini Class 37 Part 7

The mini Class 37 only needs some transfers to finish it off.

Keith

Whistles & Safety Valves

This morning I fitted whistles and safety valves to these 4 locos. 😊

Unfortunately not enough room on the Peco James on the left for a pair of valves. 😞

Keith

Thursday, 23 July 2020

Mini Class 37 Part 6

Much happier with the repaint of the mini Class 37, I have brush painted it this time with BR loco green, looks a lot better.

Leaving it overnight to dry before removing the painting stick and painting the cab insides.

Keith

Notice Boards

Today I assembled 3 notice boards.

I then fitted them around the layout.

Keith

Gas Bottle Cage Part 2

The painted gas bottle cage with gas bottles in it.

The gas bottle cage in it's location at Mr Beeton's garage.

Keith

Wednesday, 22 July 2020

Gas Bottle Cage

Today I assembled this gas bottle cage.

Keith

Mini Class 37 Part 5

I painted the grills on the mini Class 37.

Keith

Tuesday, 21 July 2020

Mini Class 37 Part 4

Recently I have been suffering with my back, last couple of days it had started to improve, but this morning it decided to kick back in, so I have been taking it easy.

I have however removed what looked like chevrons on the front doors of the mini Class 37.

Keith

Monday, 20 July 2020

Mini Class 37 Part 3

I wasn't very happy with the result of the spraying of the mini 37 in it's top coat green, it looked really rough.

So overnight I soaked it in methylated spirits, to strip off the painted and started again by respraying it in primer.

Keith

Roadworks Safety Barriers

Yesterday I assembled the new works safety barriers and started painting them.

This morning I finished painting them and have put some of them out on the roadworks near the farm.

Keith

Sunday, 19 July 2020

Mini Class 37 Part 2

Coat of Brunswick green paint applied this morning.

Keith

Saturday, 18 July 2020

Mini Class 37

Today I spray primered the mini Class 37 loco.

It is a cut-down version of the standard gauge Class 37 still in operation on our railways today.

It should make for an interesting addition to my loco stock.

Keith

Friday, 17 July 2020

Small Saddle Tank Loco Part 3

Today I fitted a working chassis to the James loco I have been working on recently.

Very pleased with the result considering when I bought the kit I was going to have it as a static model.

Keith

Thursday, 16 July 2020

No Waiting Cones

Yesterday I painted the "no waiting" cones and applied the transfers.

This morning I put them along the towpath-side of Church Road.

Wednesday, 15 July 2020

Enough Box Vans

I think I have enough box vans of various sorts now.

Keith

Tuesday, 14 July 2020

3 Smaller Narrow Gauge Insul-fish Wagons Part 3

This morning I sprayed white the 3 smaller Insul-fish vans.

This afternoon, once they were dry, I painted the roofs and under-frames, made and fitted the couplings, fitted the wheels, then finally this afternoon I applied the transfers to these 3 vans.