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 22 August 2021

 Yesterday I fitted the wrought iron gate between the vicarage and the church hall.


Today I made a wall and flower bed to fill in the corner, there is more to do to it to finish.



Keith

Converted Damaged Toast Rack Coach

 Some time ago I damaged the roof of one of my toast rack coaches and to date I have lived with the damage, but I came across a photo of one with the roof removed, so I did the conversion today. 😊



Keith

Saturday 21 August 2021

Wrought Iron Gate

This afternoon I fixed the wrought iron gate between the church hall and the vicarage.

Keith

Friday 20 August 2021

Transfers for Gunpowder Van

 Got round to adding some transfers to the gunpowder van this afternoon. 💥




Keith

Thursday 12 August 2021

The power of DB V 251 'Stephanie'

 'Hadarford' may be a preserved line, but it still serves a purpose in transporting freight of all sorts and sizes. 

The power of DB V 251 'Stephanie' needed to shift this large electrical transformer passing Hadarford lock.

Keith

Tuesday 10 August 2021

Baldwin 'Joanne'

 Baldwin 'Joanne' on the up toast rack service awaiting the level crossing being set open at Hadarford station.

Keith

Sunday 8 August 2021

Logging Engine 'Marmite'

 Logging engine 'Marmite' doing what it was built for, hauling logs, below the retaining wall.

Keith

Friday 6 August 2021

DB V 251 'Victoria'

 DB V 251 'Victoria' on heavy haulage passing Hadarford lock. 😊

Keith

Tuesday 3 August 2021

'Alfred James' and 'Alfred Henry'

 'Alfred James' and 'Alfred Henry' double heading a heavy tanker train past Hadarford lock.

Keith

Sunday 1 August 2021

Insul-fish Train

0-6-0 saddle tank 'Beryl' emerging from Hadarford tunnel hauling an Insul-fish freight train, passing 0-6-0 side tank 'Douglas' taking on coal and 0-6-0 diesel 'Oscar' waiting to take on diesel in the maintenance yard.

Keith