O9 Journey

 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.

Sept. 2021: The left hand end was made scenic using old cork pieces, and low shrubs. 

Dec. 2021:  The yard, complete with figures and details.

Tram loco "Pyralis" with new bogie coaches at Pye Rigg.

Summer 2022:  A new Floyd Kraemer 3D print of a Ransomes Rapier diesel.

Oct. 2022:  "Raven Hill" at Whitwell & Reepham Station model railway exhibition.  The layout now has lighting.

A rough Guide to O9 modelling: O9 Modelling Guide

O9: New loco for PHLR "Knucker"

 

O9 LOCO for PHLR

A new Ransomes-Rapier loco has been built for Raven Hill (& Pye Rigg Works).

Named "Knucker" (after the foul Sussex Dragon monster.)

Built from a super Floyd Kraemer 3D print received as above in just three parts.  It fitted together well and runs on a Kato 4w chassis.

Also photographed on the same day as the top photo is this second-hand Minimum Gauge Models RHDR "Scooter" loco.  The original Kato chassis did not run well, but was overhauled and now runs fine.  Work must now commence on the body.

009: Look Back 1: The Whitsend Tramway

 A wallow with Whitsend.

The Whitsend Tramway 009 scale, 2006 - 2015, 9ft 9" x 23" on three boards.

The inspection railcar running from the station towards the quayside.

No. 16 Sharp Stewart tram "Linette" running past the quayside.

No.17 "Lynton" being steamed-up at the sheds.

Bedford OB coach visiting Whitsend, passing Grinkle Farm.

Tram No.7 "Lottie" at Two Bridges.

Fairhaven, Rose Cottage, Seaview Cottage and Bridge House.

Railcar & trailer set "Loyalty" is arriving at Whitsend Station.

At the very end of the layout behind the sheds was "Thorndale Halt".

The Harbourmasters office and fish sheds.

The Royal Hotel and Martins Grocery store.

No.17 "Lynton" crossing the road at Grinkle Farm.

The quayside with "Lottie" shunting.

No.16 "Linette" hauling coaches from the carriage shed, with Harbour Garage in the background.

First exhibition May 2007 at Ely, Cambridgeshire.

O9 New additions February 2022

 During February there have been one or two new additions to stock:-

The two latest locos now named "Tiamat" and "Griffin", outside Pye Works shed.

The resin "Narrow Rails" O9 freelance diesel full cab kit being made.

The diesel loco on trials.

Also being made here is this bogie coach using the Minicraft Vulcan 1872 kit coach sides, ends, floor and some of the seating in the kit.  Also used was the glazing.  I have attached Dundas DM11 bogies.

Two bogie coaches are now just about complete.

I also numbered all of the goods stock so far using Woodland Scenics rub-on decals, here are four of them on the Pye Rigg head shunt.

O9 4-Wheel Coach using kit coach Sides

 

The coach numbered "6" just about finished.

Just built (Dec. 2021) is this 4-wheel coach using the coach sides from the kit below, it's a saloon seating 5 passengers and is modelled narrower at 27mm, perhaps more prototypically than the earlier coaches I built.  Coach ends are made of Wills 4mm Sheet & Batten Roofing sheet.  It runs on an old Egger 4w chassis as I thought this would better deal with the sharp 8 and 9 inch radius curves as it has swivel wheel "bogies".

The 1/45th Minicraft kit that the coach sides came from.

The fret containing the coach side mouldings, they are well-detailed, even with the interior panels moulded.  The kit contains three complete coaches (including seats) plus the loco and display track.  To make them into O9 vehicles, a 009 chassis would be needed and they would have to be narrowed.  Many cuts have been made to make the small 4w coach, but I hope to make a couple of short bogie vehicles too.

The coach in the "paint shop".

A photo of the new loco and coach No.6.

The coach can seat 5 at a push, on a transverse seat across the end, a 2-person side seat, and on the opposite side near the door a single person side seat.

O9 Dapol Pug "bash" - 2

 Dapol Pug conversion

A photo of the model with most of the painting done.  Painted using Revell 350 satin dark blue, and also Revell Matt 9 charcoal.  One or two little touches required, plus a driver and name plates which I have to order.

After years of painting using Humbrol enamels, I am now taking to Revell.  I am finding Humbrol colours inconsistent recently, some of which won't even dry for three days, and also some of the tin lids do not even fit correctly and fall open.

O9 Dapol Pug "bash" - 1

 Dapol Pug conversion

I decided to try an old technique of making an O9 scale tramway locomotive using the Dapol Kitmaster "Pug" as a basis.  Here is the basic body using the tank/boiler and footplate from the plastic kit, a resin chimney, and a cab and skirts from (mainly 1mm) plasticard.  Other small parts of the kit were also used.  The footplate was cut so that it would fit a Kato 11-103 chassis, as I have a couple in stock.

A pre-curved aluminium roof was exchanged for the original plastic one fitted, which flattened on the back edge.  Here is the loco now in primer.  

The general size and shape matches the Shapeways/Tebee 3D prints that were completed earlier.  

O9 Work on the Works - 2

Work on the Works - 2 

"Drake" is seen passing the works yard.  The buildings and water tower are all now fixed down, a yard gate has also been made, and also a diesel pump for fuel which was added to the old Hornby tank wagon.

We use the tall 5 - 7" Woodland Scenics Tree Armatures for small moorland trees, however for O gauge they really do not have enough branches.  I thought about extending each branch if I could.  I used some green garden twine cut into short lengths and untwisted the very end of each section to five me 3 or 4 extra branches.   They were glued to each and every branch of the armature with UHU.  When dry, I stiffened them with p.v.a. with a little acrylic black paint added, which also helps to tone them down.  Then I added the foliage.  

The result is a much fuller looking tree.

The only place to install a platform was the outside of the 

right-hand end.  A curved 6mm high platform made of ply-wood was cut to the same profile as the track curve and some "stone" card glued around the edge.  A short length of rustic fencing was added (made by Renedra No. RN14, grey) and a simple shelter.  The shelter has a shell of 5mm foamboard with Slaters large stone courses added and a roof using Wills Corrugated Asbestos.  A wooden bench was also made with plasticard for luxurious seating.

A small station nameboard needs to be added.

I will have to find what small details I have in stock to place around the layout as the yard especially needs some railway junk.   

Books on the Minimum Gauge

Is it me? Or are there fewer books on the narrow gauge being published in recent years?  I much prefer to sit down with a good book than to sit there on the computer or laptop trying to read detailed information.

I thought that I had very few books on the 15" (or 18"), but a look through my bookcase has un-earthed quite a few, some now a few years old, so I took photos of them in an attempt to summarise them for this blog:- 

The first selection shows a wonderful book on the Fairbourne Miniature Railway: 

"Rails through the Sand", W.J.Milner, H/B, 270 pages, with b/w photographs, a full history on the 15" gauge era. 1996

"The Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway" Railway World Special, P/B, 48 pages, b/w, short pictorial history. 1985

"A History of the Bure Valley Railway", A Vaughan, P/B, approx. 110 pages, colour and b/w photographs. 2000

"Rails to Jaywick Sands", I Banks, P/B, 40 pages, b/w, a lovely little history of this unique 18" gauge seaside line. 1988

"Sian and Katie" - The Twining Sisters" S Buck, P/B, 32 pages, b/w and colour. 1995. 

 

Selection two includes the definitive history on Sir Arthur Heywood.

"Sir Arthur Heywood and the Fifteen Inch Gauge Railway", 

M Smithers, H/B, 178 pages, b/w, detailed history, 1995.

"The Ratty Album - Volume 1", S Jenkins & D Jenner, P/B, 74 pages, historical b/w pictures of the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway", 2002.

"The Ratty Album - Volume 2 - The Ferreira Years", D Jenner & A Smith, P/B, 74 pages, historical b/w pictures of the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway", 2003.

"The Fairbourne Railway", P/B, 28 pages, b/w, short history, no date, but 1960's.

"One Man's Railway", J B Snell, H/B, 128 pages, b/w, the story of the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway and one of my favourite books, 1993.

"Romneyrail", V Mitchell & K Smith, H/B, 96 pages, b/w, pictorial. 1999.

"Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway - in colour", D Smith, H/B, 64 pages, pictorial, good colour photographs. 1993.

"Ratty", W. McGowan Gradon, P/B, 50 pages, b/w, a nice history of the line. 1997. 

"Britain's 15-inch gauge Railways - Duffield Bank to Perrygrove", 

D R Jones, P/B, 192 pages, colour, a comprehensive survey of 15" gauge in Britain, history, descriptions, locos and stock. 2013.

"The Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway", W.J.K. Davies, H/B, 216 pages, b/w, complete history. 1988 edition.

This selection features two volumes containing old picture postcards, with some of my favourite images.  I think simply because they are photographed by many non-railway enthusiasts.  With generally good quality cameras for the time, they feature unique and sometimes run-down railways, many in a scenic, or even quaint, setting.

"A Survey of Seaside Miniature Railways", D.J.Croft, P/B, 136 pages, b/w, another comprehensive survey book of all small gauges, maps, historic photos and history's. 1992.

"British Miniature Railways", N.R. Knight, H/B, 176 pages, photos with short history and descriptions of the lines.  The first chapter is on the 15". 1999.

"Narrow Gauge and Miniature Railways from old picture postcards". A Neale, P/B, 60 pages, b/w, pictorial with descriptions. 1986.

"Steam on Britain's Miniature Railways", R. Butterell, H/B, 96 pages, b/w, pictorial - good images. 1976.

"The Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway - A journey through historic postcards", D Jenner, A Smith, P van Zeller, P/B, 88 pages, b/w, pictorial postcards with descriptions. 1991.

"Ratty's 100", D. Ferreira, P/B, 72 pages, b/w, historic pictorial. 1976.

"The Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway", W.J.K. Davies, H/B, 205 pages, b/w, full history. 1981 edition.

"Romney Remembered", L Jacques, J Emmins, RH&DR Assoc., P/B, 118 pages, b/w and colour. 75th anniversary compilation.

"Narrow Gauge Railways - England and the Fifteen Inch", 

H Household, H/B, 176 pages, b/w, general histories of lines. 1989.

"18 Inch Gauge Steam Railways", M Smithers, H/B, 176 pages, b/w, detailed, well illustrated history. 1993.

"Fifteen Inch Gauge Railways", D Mosley & P van Zeller, H/B, 96 pages, b/w, Illustrated History, locos, stock and equipment. 1986.

"A Single to the Seashore", L Little, NGRS, P/B, 50 pages, b/w, a history of this unique 18" line. No date.

"Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway", W.J.K. Davies, P/B, 160 pages, b/w, full history, a re-issue of the book in the previous selection. 2000.