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 31 October 2022

The Pumpkin Train

  It's that time of year, the Pumpkin Train on it's way, 🚂🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃

#Halloween #halloween2022 #pumpkins



Tuesday 25 October 2022

4wDM 'Orion'

 4wDM 'Orion' leaving Hadarford station with observation/brake coach No.22 😊

Keith

Friday 21 October 2022

Open Wagons

 0-6-0 diesel 'Oscar' hauling a train of open wagons past Hadarford lock. 😊

Keith

Wednesday 12 October 2022

Engine Shed Tools

 This afternoon I glued some tools to the engine shed doors. 😊


Keith

Tuesday 11 October 2022

Bits and Pieces

 This afternoon and evening I have been painting bits and pieces, tools, wheelbarrows, fireman's shovel and a tub wagon 😊

Keith

Sunday 9 October 2022

Works Train

 4wDM diesel 'Chas' on works train duty heading towards Hadarford 😊

Keith

Saturday 8 October 2022

Early Morning Freight Train

 Early morning freight train of various box vans hauled by Bo-Bo DB V251 'Stephanie' winding it's way through Hadarford station. 😊

Keith

Thursday 6 October 2022

Boxcab 'Haedi'

 4wDM boxcab 'Haedi' passing Hadarford lock with a short bugbox train. 😊

Keith

Wednesday 5 October 2022

'Express Dairy English Eggs'

 4wDM diesel 'Hadar' hauling new arrival 'Express Dairy English Eggs' bogie van in a mixed freight train passing Hadarford wood. 😊

Keith

Saturday 1 October 2022

Steam Gala Day

Steam Gala day at Hadarford station to celebrate the last day of the summer steaming season on the line.

Mr Beeton also has some of his steam vehicles on static display, he is out on his ploughing engine with his large living van. 😊


Keith