HADARFORD: February 2021

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.

Sunday, 28 February 2021

A1 Models Boxcab Loco Part 8

This afternoon I painted the engine for the boxcab loco, ready to install tomorrow.

I wasn't very happy with the plastic air intake pipe on the engine that I painted with copper paint, so I removed the plastic pipe and fixed a piece of copper wire in place of it.

Keith

Friday, 26 February 2021

A1 Models Boxcab Loco Part 7

The boxcab loco I built recently had very large windows and even larger grills giving a good view of the inside, so I ordered a model aero engine (Junkers JUMO 211, 1:72nd scale).

It arrived this morning.

I assembled it and added an appropriate exhaust pipe, the copper wire, glued it to a spraying stick.

Then sprayed it with primer.

Keith

Thursday, 25 February 2021

New Showman's Living Van

Mr Beeston is setting off for a Steam Rally for the weekend, he is driving his ploughing engine towing his new showman's living van, his crew are taking the showman's engine and small engine on the big low loader, the crane engine on the smaller low loader towed by the generator truck, and finally the roller towing the other living van. Quite a procession fortunately to a local rally so shouldn't hold up too much traffic.

Mr. Beeston proudly leading the convoy on his ploughing engine.

Keith

Wednesday, 24 February 2021

Jouef Loco Part 2

I only wanted one figure as a crew for my new loco, but as I had the paints out I took my time and painted them all.

The new loco has had the bright red plastic chassis painted matt black, and the new crew member firmly fixed in place.

Also pictured with the later version of this loco which, as its cab was missing, I added a tender to to go with the open nature of the footplate.

Keith

Tuesday, 23 February 2021

Jouef Loco

This little beauty arrived yesterday one of these was the 1st 009 model I had when they were first sold in UK in 1966.

Serviced it this morning, just need to paint a crew for it, and a bit of painting to the buffer beams and the chassis, but keeping the original basic painted bodywork.

Keith

Sunday, 21 February 2021

Improved Lighting

This morning I have added an extra light underneath a shelf above the end of the layout, which was creating a shadow, on the righthand side of this photo.

This photo is with the new light on.

The improvement in lighting can be better seen in these 2 views.

Keith

Saturday, 20 February 2021

D581 on an Up Mixed Goods Whilst D1 and the Inspection Train are Waiting in the Wharf Siding

Keith

Friday, 19 February 2021

A1 Models Boxcab Loco Part 6

Transfers applied to the boxcab which is now designated D1.

Keith

Thursday, 18 February 2021

Anti-Little Fingers Screen

Today I plucked up the courage to attempt a major job on Hadarford.

Since adding scenery to this section of the layout I have been waiting for my back to recover enough to tackle making and fitting anti-little fingers screens.

All done and back is still OK

Keith

My Most Expensive Model on Hadarford to Date Arrived Today 🦌

Keith

Wednesday, 17 February 2021

A1 Models Boxcab Loco Part 5

Vacuum brake pipes and crew painted and fitted to the boxcab.

Just the transfers to fit tomorrow.

Keith

D371 on the Down Coal Service Passing Hadarford Lock

Keith

Tuesday, 16 February 2021

A1 Models Boxcab Loco Part 4

Good progress with the boxcab today.

I wasn't happy with the Brunswick green, so I have repainted it in BR diesel green, with a dark grey roof, black grills, Sherwood green flashes on both ends and red buffer beams.

Glazing added, just needs vacuum brake pipes, crew and transfers to complete.