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, 27 November 2024

Skarloey

 A new addition to Hadarford's loco stock, 0-4-2 'Skarloey' leaving Hadarford station with a small mixed freight train.

As purchased, the Thomas the Tank Engine face had been removed and a proper smokebox door fitted. 2 of the buffers were missing so I have removed the 2 remaining ones and repainted the buffer beams signal red as opposed to the original body colour. I painted the smokebox and chimney in matt black rather than the original gloss black I will weather it to tone-down the brightness of the red livery. 😊



Keith

Wednesday, 20 November 2024

This Years Christmas Special

  This years Christmas special passing Hadarford Wood on its way to the station with this years Christmas wagon, the one behind the open wagon. 🎅⛄


Keith

Sunday, 17 November 2024

Working Brazier

 Yesterday this working brazier arrived in the post, this afternoon I fitted it.


The brazier as delivered


Hole cut through the baseboard and surrounding gravel removed


Fortunately sited very close to the control board for the arc welder in the engine shed, so picked up 12v DC from there


Fitted in place, new gravel glued around the base and power turned on



Keith