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.

Monday 28 February 2022

Another New Minibus

 Spot the difference?

Another Arriva minibus to join the fleet, it is the leading one, slightly longer wheelbase.

Keith

Sunday 27 February 2022

Double Fairlie 'Pandora'

 0-4-4-0 double Fairlie 'Pandora' easing out of fiddleyard tunnel with the up passenger service heading towards Hadarford.

Keith

Wednesday 16 February 2022

New Minibus Service

 New Arriva minibus service for Hadarford arrived today. 😊

Keith

Monday 14 February 2022

Scrap Loco Part 3

 Over the last couple of days I gave the buffer beams 3 coats of red to the small tank engine. 

This morning I weathered it with rust paint and weathering powders. 



Now sited in the maintenance yard near the rustier and overgrown Baldwin.


Keith

Old Photos

 Recently I have been converting some of my Hadarford colour photos into black & white.

These are some of them.




Keith

Wednesday 9 February 2022

Scrap Loco part 2

 I was supposed to spray paint this loco 5 days ago, but I ran out of spray paint, new paint arrived yesterday, so today I sprayed it satin black for starters. 😊








Keith

Sunday 6 February 2022

Fire & Rescue Service

 No there isn't a large fire in Hadarford, the local fire & rescue service are out for a Sunday run with both their present appliances, and their historic ones they have lovingly restored. 

This time of year they take them out for a practice run ready for the summer rally season.

Keith

Thursday 3 February 2022

Scrap Loco

 I threw this loco together today.

As it will be a scrapped loco I have added a floor in the cab where the motor would be.

I have left the roof off so I can paint the inside of the cab.

I also made a new bunker out of plastic sheet as the metal one supplied in the kit was damaged.

I have already primed it and the roof ready for painting tomorrow.

Keith

Wednesday 2 February 2022

Double Fairlie 'Pandora'

 Double Fairlie 'Pandora' has today joined Hadarford's fleet of steam locos. 

It is a Langley Models white metal kit on two Fleischmann Piccolo chassis', it runs as sweet as a bird.

 Immediately brought into service on the 'up' lunchtime service passing Hadarford lock.


Keith

Tuesday 1 February 2022