GRUMS NARROW GAUGE LINES: October 2022

A quick look back at my O9 projects so far:-

I started modelling in O9 scale in July 2019 after being inspired by layouts I had seen in the "Railway Modeller" magazine.

My own general preferences are to build scenic layouts, keeping track, wiring and turnout control simple, and build loco's and rolling stock using simple kits if possible.

It did take me a while to get used to 7mm scale after modelling in 009 (4mm scale) for so many years, but my decision to build a small diorama first really helped in grasping this scale.

July 2019: Bought and made some resin Unit Models kits. (O-081 Diesel loco body, and two O-070 Open Wagons).

I thought it was important to test track radii and consider couplings before going further. It seems that tighter radii are more acceptable in this scale because of the narrow track gauge.

Sept. 2019: As passenger coach kits were not available in O9 (and also as I didn't like the poor finishes on most 3D printed options at the time) I had a go at making two short bogie coaches from Hornby GWR four-wheelers, running on Peco 009 (GR-106) Bogies.

Oct. 2019: My aim was to build a medium-sized exhibition layout. But first I thought it was sensible to make an operating diorama to help me get the feel of the scale I was using. I chose to make a small scene in a drawer turned on its face from a cheap flat-pack chest of drawers that was given to me.

The baseboard area was only 20" x 4.5".

The railway was named the "Penny Howe Light Railway".

A fictitious "estate" type line built partly on an old tramway track bed running from an inland village onto a headland. The scenery and buildings to be heavily inspired by North York Moors, North Yorkshire, UK.

Adding more stock:

Sept. 2019: Two Tebee/Shapeways 3D prints running on Kato 11-103 4w chassis.

Feb. 2020: Making a brass Minimum Gauge Models CL001 Industrial Diesel kit.

April 2020: Two scratch built short bogie coaches were made using Wills materials sheets.

June 2020: A few more Unit Models wagons were purchased and also a resin "Narrow Rails" Freelance Diesel kit.

2020: A photo of the completed drawer diorama. Trains enter through a hole on the right from a fiddle yard stick. It utilises two turnouts using 009 "irregular sleeper" track allowing simple shunting to a passenger platform, loco siding, and a goods dock at the front. Cut-up calendar pictures were used on the back boards to create extra depth.

2020: Close-up with 3D printed loco "Drake" and the two new bogie coaches.

The exhibition layout was planned in October 2019, this was the first scale drawing. There are two fiddle yard loops behind a back scene. The completed layout ended up very much like this, except it was preferred that the engine shed siding lead off the right-hand end of the passing loop rather than near the bridge as drawn.

April 2020: The baseboards with track laid.

The layout measures 7ft 2" (219cm) x 20" (51cm), on two boards.

May 2020: Scenery construction. My wife painted the back scene boards, then we used a light weight filler, sawdust, p.v.a, acrylic grey paint and water mix over polystyrene formers to create a hillside and waterfall ravine.

Aug. 2020: I made some buildings for the village. They have foam board shells with embossed plastic stone work walls and individual pan tiles.

Aug. 2020: Arranging the buildings on the "village" board.

Wooden station buildings are resin kits.

Nov. 2020: Two old "Avalon Line" resin Tram loco kits were made and mounted on Farish 0-6-0 chassis.

Nov. 2020: Omen and S&D (Pheonix) figures, and wagon loads mainly from Skytrex were painted.

2021: Various figures and details were added to the layout.

July 2021: Covid restrictions prevented several exhibitions from going ahead, but here was our first exhibition at the Mid-Suffolk Railway.

"Drake" crossing the road in the village.

"Oread" nearing "Porrits Bridge".

Feb. 2022: Two more bogie coaches were made using the coach sides and ends from the Minicraft 1872 Vulcan plastic kit.

Towards the end of 2021 I wanted a new small layout to run at home, or take to Group meetings. Using a baseboard originally made for a 009 layout I planned a "works" layout for the PHLR.

Aug. 2021: The baseboard with track laid. It is 43" (109cm) x 20" (51cm).

Sept. 2021: My wife and I painted a suitable backscene and I bought two laser cut mdf "00" scale buildings to use as the maintenance shed, and some resin kits for the yard structures. The water tower was an adapted Dapol "00" scale item.