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.

Tuesday, 28 February 2023

Battery Powered Loco Part 2

 Good progress with the battery loco today, buffer beams painted red, transfers applied, name plates and driver fitted. Just needs liquid lead for ballast and couplings fitting to finish. 😊





Keith

Sunday, 26 February 2023

Crews and Tools

 3 days ago I primered these engine crews and tools.



This morning I assembled the wheelbarrows, then I made a start on painting the loco crews and tools.



After lunch I finished them. 😊

Keith

Saturday, 25 February 2023

Battery Powered Loco

 Final project before setting off on our travels, this battery powered loco arrived this morning, this afternoon I primered it and it's driver. 😊






A coat of satin black applied late this afternoon. 😊



Keith

Wednesday, 22 February 2023

Who Will Go 1st? 🤔

 Both 0-4-0 Hunslet 'Charles' and 0-4-0 small England 'Prince' awaiting signals to proceed, who will get to go 1st? 🤔

Keith

Monday, 20 February 2023

Newly arrived Small England 'Prince'

 New arrival 'Prince' assisting 'Princess' hauling a mix of box vans past Hadarford lock. 😊

Keith

Sunday, 19 February 2023

Another Standpipe

 Another standpipe added against the coaling stage. 😊

Keith

Awaiting Departure from Hadarford Station.

 0-4-4-0 Double Fairlie 'Earl of Merioneth’ on the up platform, and 4-6-0 Baldwin 'Joanne' on the down platform, both awaiting departure from Hadarford station. 😊

Keith

Saturday, 18 February 2023

4-6-0 Baldwins 'Alfred James' and 'Joanne'

 4-6-0 Baldwins 'Alfred James' and 'Joanne' double-heading the down passenger service passing below the long retaining wall. 😊 

Keith

Friday, 17 February 2023

Equestrian Weekend

 0-4-0 Little England 'Princess' with her new crankpins fitted taking the Beeton girls equestrian train to Alfa Central ready for a gymkhana this weekend, passing Hadarford lock. 😊 

Keith

Thursday, 16 February 2023

Coreless Motor Upgrade for 'Alfred Henry'

 This morning I set about fitting the Tramfabriek coreless upgrade to the Lilliput U loco 'Alfred Henry' (pictured with the tram loco and upgrade kit which I will tackle later). Very easy to do, and very pleased with the result 😁

Both locos and upgrade kits ready for fitting



Removing the worm gear from the original motor



Worm gear removed



Worm gear fitted to the new motor



Coffee break



Motor fitted to the chassis and wires soldered to the pick up contacts


Running in the new upgrade on the rolling road


And brought into service with a bugbox train passing Hadarford lock

Keith

Monday, 13 February 2023

Lonely Deer

 Up till now I have had only one very lonely deer on the layout, but today 6 more arrived to keep it company. 🦌


Keith

Saturday, 11 February 2023

Empty Livestock Train

 0-6-0 saddle tank 'Beryl' hauling an train of empty livestock wagons. 😊 

Keith

Dumper Truck, Compressor and 2 Stand Pipes

 Today I finished off painting the dumper truck and compressor (both painted blue) for the road works scene.


I also fitted the 2 stand pipes in the maintenance yard. 😊 

Keith

A Period Setting

 Some of my new old cars along with some I already had, in a period setting on Hadarford. 😊

Keith

Friday, 10 February 2023

eBay Bundle

 Nice bundle of 10 Oxford Diecast cars, a batch of older vehicles for a period setting on Hadarford arrived this morning, and eBay bargain as these models retail for around £6.50 each excl postage, this lot for £11.50, £1.15 each. 😁

Keith

Thursday, 9 February 2023

0-4-0 Hunslet 'Nesta' passing Hadarford Lock

 0-4-0 Hunslet 'Nesta' passing Hadarford lock with the down passenger service. 😊


Keith

Tuesday, 7 February 2023

New Arrival 0-4-0 Hunslet 'Nesta'

 0-4-0 Hunslet 'Charles and new arrival 0-4-0 Hunslet 'Nesta' awaiting the signal to depart the canal wharf siding with a mixed goods train. 😊

Keith

Sunday, 5 February 2023

Tunnel Lamps

 Getting down to small details, this morning I added 2mm clear gems to the tunnel lamps of the 2 working boats to improve the look of the lamps. 💡


Keith

0-4-0 Tank Engine 'Emma'

 0-4-0 tank engine 'Emma' on gunpowder train duty passing Hadarford wood, the hare is giving chase. 🐰

Keith

Friday, 3 February 2023

'Charles' and 'Beryl'

 0-4-0 Hunslet 'Charles' assisting 0-6-0 saddle tank 'Beryl' on a heavy coal train passing below the long retaining wall. 😊

Keith

Wednesday, 1 February 2023

Re-leafing Trees

 Having finished the sheep, this afternoon I started to releaf some of the trees that were looking a bit bare. I have quite a few more to do but I have ordered some darker shades of green otherwise they will all be the same colour and some more spray glue. 🌳








Keith