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, 19 April 2019

Road Steam Engines Part 3

Today I finished securing the Showman's engine and traction engine with chocks and chains to the trailer.

The Showman's engine secured.

The traction engine similarly secured.

The whole unit. I do need to paint the chains rusty to finish.

Keith.

Friday, 5 April 2019

Visitors to Hadarford

It was nice to have Beth & Lindsay from Australia come to see Hadarford this morning, they had been following this BLOG and are over here for a few months cruising on our canals.

Keith.

Saturday, 23 March 2019

Road Steam Engines Part 2

This morning I repainted the last 2 steam road vehicles.

I have left the truck in it's original blue colour as it is a recent acquirement by the garage owner, and is being worked on, hence no front axle.

All 5 steam road vehicles.

In their rightful places in the compound.

Keith.

Friday, 22 March 2019

Road Steam Engines

I repainted these 2 today, the roller was blue, and the traction engine had very badly painted yellow lining, and both had paint chips.

Both looking a lot smarter now.

Keith.

Thursday, 21 March 2019

Lawns Part 4

The farmhouse now has a front lawn.

Keith.

Lawns Part 3

Yesterday I laid the lawns for Hadarford Lodge, this morning I vacuumed up the loose material and refitted the trees etc.

Keith.

Sunday, 17 March 2019

Lawns Part 2

This afternoon I created the lawn for the pub's beer garden.

Keith.

Lawns Part 1

This morning I started on the lawns, the farmhouse and one of the farm workers cottages.

The 2nd farm workers cottage.

Lawns in front of the 2 canal-side cottages.

Keith.

Tuesday, 12 March 2019

Water Crane, Yard Crane and Wharf Cranes Part 3

Today I finished painting the water crane and yard crane for the engine maintenance area.

I also painted and finished assembling the 2 yard cranes for the canal wharf.

I wasn't happy with the original position of the water crane, so I have moved it.

Keith.

Sunday, 10 March 2019

Water Crane, Yard Crane and Wharf Cranes Part 2

This afternoon I primered the water crane and 3 yard cranes.

Keith.

Canal Wharf Cranes

This morning I constructed these 2 cranes which will go on the canal wharf.

I have not completed building them as I want to paint them before final assembly to make the painting easier.

They have been washed to remove grease and I am waiting for them to dry.

Keith.

Saturday, 9 March 2019

Water Crane & Yard Crane

Knocked up these two today for the engine maintenance area.

A water crane.

A yard crane

Keith.

Friday, 8 March 2019

Out Cruising.

We set off from our mooring this morning on our Spring/Summer cruise, and as such I will not be posting on here until we return in July. I will get very little time to do any modelling whilst we are out travelling, but you can follow our cruise, if you so wish, at http://www.hadar.org.uk/.

Keith.

Thursday, 7 March 2019

Low Loader

The garage owner now has a low loader to move his traction engines to shows.

Keith.

Wednesday, 6 March 2019

Painting Railway Carriages Part 11

The finished luggage carriages.

Keith.

Painting Railway Carriages Part 10

The 2 luggage carriages have had a coat of primer.

Keith.

Tuesday, 5 March 2019

Painting Railway Carriages Part 9

Today I finished painting the 5 toast-rack carriages.

I had put 2 coats of crimson onto the red-oxide primer, but I wasn't happy how it was going, so I did a coat of white primer, then 2 coats of crimson, much more like it.

Due to their open nature there is not a lot of cream, only the four corner posts.

Keith.

Monday, 4 March 2019

Painting Railway Carriages Part 8

Today I have started painting the 5 toast-rack coaches by giving them a coat of red-oxide primer.

Keith.

Sunday, 3 March 2019

Painting Railway Carriages Part 7

All the carriages have their new livery finished.

Keith.

Friday, 1 March 2019

Painting Railway Carriages Part 6

2nd coat of crimson on all the carriages on this side, 1st coat on the other side.

Keith.

Thursday, 28 February 2019

Painting Railway Carriages Part 5

1st coat of Crimson on one side of the carriages, 2nd coat of crimson on the duckets, and 2 coats of grey on the roofs.

Keith.

Wednesday, 27 February 2019

Painting Railway Carriages Part 4

Good progress with the carriage painting today. 1st coat of cream bands on the carriage sides. The compartment interiors have wood paint on the floors and walls, and green seat cushions. 1st coat of crimson on the duckets.

Keith.

Painting Railway Carriages Part 3

Short video of painting one of the railway carriages.

Keith.

Tuesday, 26 February 2019

Painting Railway Carriages Part 2

All the coaches primered.

Keith.

Painting Railway Carriages Part 1

All my railway carriages stripped down ready for painting in their new livery.

Keith.

Monday, 25 February 2019

Loading Gauge

Today I also painted the loading gauge, which is now temporarily on the layout.

I say temporarily because as it is at the front of the layout, I will have to remove it to work on the landscaping behind it so I don't break it like I did with the last one!