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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