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.

Wednesday 30 August 2023

Scratch-built Wagons

 0-6-0 saddle tank 'Beryl' with an assortment of scratch-built wagons including the brake van passing Hadarford wharf. 😊


Keith

Monday 28 August 2023

'Steam Day'

 August bank holiday Monday, Hadarford has it's 'Steam Day' to show off its extensive steam power for visitors to learn about them, including Mr Beeton and staff out with some of his steam road vehicles.

The line is closed again, but another replacement bus service is laid on. 😊


Keith

Sunday 27 August 2023

'Diesel Sunday'

 August bank holiday Sunday, Hadarford has it's 'Diesel Sunday' to show off its diesel power for visitors to learn about them. The line is closed but a replacement bus service is laid on. 😊


Keith

Thursday 24 August 2023

'Prince' and 'Princess'

 'Prince' and 'Princess' passing under Manor Road bridge and alongside Hadarford lock with a train of bugboxes. 😊


Keith

Wednesday 23 August 2023

New Seated Passengers

 This morning some new seated passengers arrived in the post. I fitted them into the last 5 bugboxes which were unoccupied....

until now. 😊




Keith

Wednesday 16 August 2023

The Boat Inn

 The Boat Inn, with Hadarford Lodge behind it. 😊


Keith

Sunday 13 August 2023

Double Fairlie 'Paddy'

 Caricature double Fairlie 'Paddy' passing round Hadarford hill with a passenger service. 😊


Keith

Saturday 12 August 2023

Logging loco 'Marmite' 😊

 Logging loco 'Marmite' hauling logs, about to cross the level crossing at Hadarford station. 😊


Keith

Tuesday 8 August 2023

Works Train

Works train being hauled by 4wDM 'Hadar' passing Hadarford lock 😊




Keith

Sunday 6 August 2023

Loco Crews and Guards

 This morning I coated the Modelu loco crews with AK ultra matte varnish, as recommended by Eddie Field, and a vast improvement on matt varnishes I have used in the past, it actually ends up matt.

After lunch I fixed 8 of them in the 4 locos and added the remaining 2 and some Airfix figures to my brake vans. 😊



Keith