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.

Sunday, 20 September 2026

Level Crossing Repair and Gardens

 Making the most of todays' daylight, work on the level crossing and gardens of the 2 thatched cottages and 1 of the thatched houses, I have not been able to do similar work to the 2nd thatched house as I am awaiting more stone walling in the post.

Some time ago I broke one of the posts of the level crossing, my 1st attempt to repair it with a single pin inserted in drill holes in the post and the ground failed when the pin I had inserted snapped!, but the 2nd attempt today using 2 pins either side of the broken pin has worked.

Repaired level crossing gatepost

Cutting single rows of bricks from spare pieces for lawn edging

Selection of long and shorter strips of bricks

1st lawn edging cut to size and glued at one of the thatched cottages

2nd lot lawn edging cut to size and glued at the other thatched cottage

3rd lot of lawn edging cut to size and glued at one of the thatched houses, and greenhouse and shed glued either side of the fence with crazy paving extended to the shed

Brick edging for flowerbed path border between the 2 thatched houses as viewed from their driveway

Barrier fencing cut to size and glued either side of each gatepost at the level crossing

Lawn glued in place at one of the thatched cottages

Lawn glued in place at the other thatched cottage

Lawn glued in place at one of the thatched houses

Shed glued in place behind the 2nd thatched house

Keith
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