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.

Monday, 28 February 2022

Another New Minibus

Spot the difference?

Another Arriva minibus to join the fleet, it is the leading one, slightly longer wheelbase.

Keith

Sunday, 27 February 2022

Double Fairlie 'Pandora'

0-4-4-0 double Fairlie 'Pandora' easing out of fiddleyard tunnel with the up passenger service heading towards Hadarford.

Keith

Wednesday, 16 February 2022

New Minibus Service

New Arriva minibus service for Hadarford arrived today. 😊

Keith

Monday, 14 February 2022

Scrap Loco Part 3

Over the last couple of days I gave the buffer beams 3 coats of red to the small tank engine.

This morning I weathered it with rust paint and weathering powders.

Now sited in the maintenance yard near the rustier and overgrown Baldwin.

Keith

Old Photos

Recently I have been converting some of my Hadarford colour photos into black & white.

These are some of them.

Keith

Wednesday, 9 February 2022

Scrap Loco part 2

I was supposed to spray paint this loco 5 days ago, but I ran out of spray paint, new paint arrived yesterday, so today I sprayed it satin black for starters. 😊

Keith

Sunday, 6 February 2022

Fire & Rescue Service

No there isn't a large fire in Hadarford, the local fire & rescue service are out for a Sunday run with both their present appliances, and their historic ones they have lovingly restored.

This time of year they take them out for a practice run ready for the summer rally season.

Keith

Thursday, 3 February 2022

Scrap Loco

I threw this loco together today.

As it will be a scrapped loco I have added a floor in the cab where the motor would be.

I have left the roof off so I can paint the inside of the cab.

I also made a new bunker out of plastic sheet as the metal one supplied in the kit was damaged.

I have already primed it and the roof ready for painting tomorrow.

Keith

Wednesday, 2 February 2022

Double Fairlie 'Pandora'

Double Fairlie 'Pandora' has today joined Hadarford's fleet of steam locos.

It is a Langley Models white metal kit on two Fleischmann Piccolo chassis', it runs as sweet as a bird.

Immediately brought into service on the 'up' lunchtime service passing Hadarford lock.

Keith

Tuesday, 1 February 2022

Friendly feline 🐯

Keith

Wednesday, 19 January 2022

Re-enactment Group Scenario

Just one of a number of scenarios I can set up.

Hadarford's WW2 re-enactment group passing Hadarford station. 😊

Keith

Friday, 14 January 2022

Loco Stock Box

You know when you are getting to the limit of locos for your railway.

I still have some space in my loco stock box. 😊 Just need some money 💷

Keith

Monday, 10 January 2022

2nd Observation/Brake Coach Part 5

Today I applied the transfers to the new observation/brake coach, and finished it off with a guards lamp.

The finished observation/brake coach brought into service at the tail of a small passenger train with the 1st one I built at the front, behind 0-6-0 'Alice' in Hadarford station.

Keith

Sunday, 9 January 2022

2nd Observation/Brake Coach Part 4

This morning I painted this couple of passengers to go in the new observation/brake coach.

This afternoon I fitted the glazing, and then the couple inside. I then fitted some vents to the roof (recycled TT gauge buffers) glued the roof on and and then painted it.

Keith

Saturday, 8 January 2022

2nd Observation/Brake Coach Part 3

Today I attacked the new observation/brake coach, inside and out, with a paintbrush, well 2 actually, 2 different sizes.

I also spray primered the roof.

Keith

Friday, 7 January 2022

2nd Observation/Brake Coach Part 2

This morning I spray primered the new observation/brake coach.

This afternoon I assembled the 2 bogies, and fitted the wheels and couplings.

I also added the vacuum pipes at either end.

Keith

Thursday, 6 January 2022

2nd Observation/Brake Coach

Today I started building another observation/brake coach, it is the same kit as the completed one in the 1st photo, but this time I have made it with the balcony.

Keith

Railway Services Resume

With the installation of the new point rodding at Hadarford station completed, normal services are resumed with caricature class 47 'Melba' on the 1st down passenger service passing Hadarford lock.