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.

Wednesday, 14 February 2018

Lower Section of Canal Finished

I filled in underneath the canal cutout today.

This will be the canal wharf.

Looking from the canal wharf towards the canal lock.

Keith.

Tuesday, 13 February 2018

Lower Section of the Canal

Spent this morning planning and measuring and marking out where the lower section of canal below the lock needed to be cut out.

After lunch I cut out the canal from the baseboard.

I have also started to increase the water depth of the canal with off-cuts of ply underneath the baseboard. This will give me a water depth of 3' 6", plenty of water for Hadar!

Keith.

Monday, 12 February 2018

Planning For Landscaping

Planning day today. Working out where the buildings will go to determine the landscaping areas.

Hadarford Farm, with the track in a tunnel underneath the farm.

Engine shed, engine servicing area, both coal and diesel and the cattle dock.

Hadarford station, level crossing, Station Hotel and canal bridge.

Hadarford canal wharf, Hadarford House, and The Boat Inn.

The Boat Inn, Post Office, canal lock and lock cottage.

Village hall, vicarage and church.

Keith.

Sunday, 11 February 2018

Both Lifting Bridges Completed

This morning I finished the first lifting bridge.

This afternoon I started and finished the second lifting bridge.

This now completes the baseboards.

Keith.

Saturday, 10 February 2018

First Lifting Bridge

I have started to construct the first lifting bridge.

Saloon doors closed.

Saloon doors open.

Keith.

Baseboards Completed

Last two legs and cross braces fitted.

Baseboards now completed, a temporary lifting bridge in place to show where it will go.

The other temporary lifting bridge in front of the saloon doors.

Keith.

Friday, 9 February 2018

Fiddle-yard Baseboard Finished.

Fiddle-yard section finished today.

The first piece of baseboard is fixed down.

Leg for this piece.

Back side of this piece gets its frame.

The narrow section underneath the cross-plank and alongside the stand.

The fiddle-yard piece.

The 2 legs and long frames.

First of the 3 corner frames.

Second of the corner frames.

The third and final corner frame.

The completed fiddle-yard.

Keith.

Thursday, 8 February 2018

Starting the Fiddle-yard.

Started on the tricky bit today, the fiddle-yard.

Why tricky?

This will become obvious as it takes shape.

Planning the fiddle-yard to determine the length of the wall timber.

Spot the non-deliberate mistake!

The wall timber in place.

Keith.

Wednesday, 7 February 2018

Baseboards Part 2

2 of 4 legs now in place.

An interesting mitre joint to the framework.

The angle will be the start of the removable bridge.

Making sure the angles are correct with some track.

Keith.

Tuesday, 6 February 2018

Start of Building the Baseboards

Today I have made a start on building the baseboards.

Keith.

Sunday, 4 February 2018

A Bit More

I added a further vertical strip.

I wasn't happy with the single one as it looked a bit odd as it wasn't central.

The photo is deceptive, the two pieces are parallel!

My first ever mitre joint.

My first ever T joint, which as it is in 'D' shaped wood wasn't easy.

But I am pleased with the result.

Keith.

Friday, 2 February 2018

Finishing Touchs

The main bad joint covered up.
What will be the top edge of the wallpaper will end under the dado rail.
There is a similar dado rail the other end too.

Keith.

Door Post

I made and fitted the door post.

Keith.