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. One 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.

This is a full record of the building of the original layout, and having moved into a flat in Warwick and sold our narrowboat, this will now cover the building of the New Hadarford in our flat.

Please feel free to leave comments, I am always interested in suggestions or questions.

Friday, 17 April 2026

Pavements and Level Crossing Part 3

 Various tasks done today, weathering, gluing, painting and a new arrival.

Which weathering powder should I use? I have a good range to choose from.

Cobblestone floor for the castle tower weathered and glued in the tower.

Yorkstone paving weathered.

Bank, photographers' shop and pedestrian access steps to the castle glued in place.

Centre wood planks of the level crossing brush painted with primer, I also sprayed the access ramps for the level crossing with primer (but forgot to take a photo!😕)


New arrival

This model of Harold's Larder arrived today.

It will complete the row of buildings at the rear of the layout, I need 2 half-relief buildings to fill the gap to finish, I just have to wait for them to come up on eBay, at the right price!

Keith

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