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 3 September 2023

Lift-out Bridge Repairs

Ever since the 1st train crossed Hadarford's large lift-out bridge in January 2020 I have had problems with it.

An engineering problem on my part, in that the track on the layout and fiddleyard adjoining the bridge was curved and not straight. It would take a long explanation, but this was causing derailments at one end of the bridge.

I have tried various solutions, and been trying to think of a better solution. During our summer cruise I came up with the original fix, and how to implement it. It involved cutting 50mm off each end of the bridge, fixing these pieces to the layout and fiddleyard to give me a straight section of track leading into the bridge. This morning I solved the final part of the puzzle of the bridge supports and started the remedial action. I first cut 50mm off of each end of the bridge. I also cut 6 pieces of timber which will form the main part of the bridge supports at each end. All will become clear over the next few months as to how this will all come together. Having finalised the solution in my mind, I wanted to get the bridge and timber cut outside as it is a nice day, but as my wife and I are busy doing boat maintenance, and site maintenance, construction will now wait until I have the time available. yet another winter project to add to the list. See captions for details. 😊

Lift out bridge in use

Starting to cut off one end of the bridge

Timber sawn through, just the track needs sawing with a junior hacksaw

Completed cut of one end

Mystery pieces of timber

Keith

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