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.

Thursday, 28 March 2024

Searchlight Wagon

 Last September whilst at the 009 Society 40th anniversary at Statfold Barn I saw their searchlight wagon and wondered if I could build one. 2 days ago I made the wagon, and yesterday the searchlight arrived in the post, which I modified and glued to the wagon, along with a chair and then sprayed it with primer. Today I painted it. It is almost finished, it just needs transfers, but I am struggling to find suitable ones. I have found some W↑D ones to go on the back of the light, I just have to decide which size to get, but I think the writing on the sides of the wagon is a step too far. I know it is not an exact replica, but it is pretty close 😊 

The actual searchlight wagon at Statfold Barn

Peco N gauge wagon chassis with 009 couplings fitted

Base planking added

Sides added

Sides added

Purchased searchlight

Base of searchlight removed using a razor saw

Searchlight and seat glued in place on the wagon

Searchlight and seat glued in place on the wagon

Sprayed with primer

Sprayed with primer, lens covered with Blacktac

Painted in olive drab

Taking its place in my Statfold Barn freight train

Keith

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Sunday, 24 March 2024

Lift-out Bridge Repairs part 4

 Today I started work on the lift-out bridge repairs at the layout end of the bridge.

Rails unsoldered from the original brass screws which held the track ends in place, fishplates added.

Section of bridge that was cut off, fixed in place at the layout end, track temporarily in place.

New base supports for the bridge added

Underside view of the bridge supports

Side pieces added to align the bridge to the layout

Bridge fitted in place on its new mount

Keith
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Sunday, 17 March 2024

4th and Final Coreless Motor Upgrade

 Another successful and final coreless motor upgrade from Tramfabriek fitted to this Graham Farish chassis for "Alice".


Keith

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Replacement Water Can

 Some time ago I lost the water can which was sitting on the roof of the butty 'Moon', probably up the vacuum cleaner! Recently I purchased a replacement, painted it and today I fitted it to the roof of 'Moon' 😊

Finished water can, with finger to show the size of it

Butty 'Moon' is behind motor 'Sun' showing where the missing water can should have been

New water can fitted

Close up

Keith

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Kerr Stuart Diesel Loco

 Today I finished building a 3D printed Kerr Stuart diesel loco I started 2 weeks ago, it is mounted it on a Kato chassis.

1st I sprayed the body and footplate with primer

I also sprayed the crew with primer

I then sprayed the body with matt varnish to protect the primer and sprayed the chassis with satin black

Ballast added

Buffer beams painted red

Buffer beams painted red

I painted the crew, and glued them to the footplate

Crew glued to the footplate

Crew fitting inside the cab

Crew fitting inside the cab

Louvres shutters painted and varnished to simulate wood and name plate added

Louvres shutters painted and varnished to simulate wood and name plate added

Some transfers added and then lightly weathered

Some transfers added and then lightly weathered

Some transfers added and then lightly weathered

Some transfers added and then lightly weathered

Some transfers added and then lightly weathered

Finished and posing on the layout

Finished and posing on the layout

Keith

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Tuesday, 12 March 2024

Upgrading to Coreless Motors part 3

 This evening I did another coreless motor upgrade to 'Valerie' 😊



Keith

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Upgrading to Coreless Motors part 2

 Today I fitted 2 Tramfabriek coreless motor upgrades to these 2 Jouef Decauville locos. 😊






Keith

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