I recently started an 009 layout. Its very much in its early development stages. I do like the 009 locos as they are cute. I somehow feel a little more relaxed about sticking to prototype with 009 than I do in N. For instance, all of my N gauge layouts have had working signals as I think that is essential for realism but this one may or may not. Also all my N gauge stock is weathered but I am undecided even about weathering the 009 stock. We shall see how I feel in due course.

Two things I have found so far. First. 009 couplings are absolutely useless and certainly unfit for purpose. They uncouple all to easily when you don't want but are often difficult to couple when you want. I find the N gauge standing couplings work much better. I did try fitting N gauge couplers to my 009 stock as they have NEM sockets. N gauge couplers do fit but there is no up and down movement so I couldn't do the fingerless shunting that I am so fond of. There are alternatives but I'm told they are a bit "hit & miss". In the end I have opted for Hunt magnetic couplings on everything. Yes they have to be prised apart for shunting but that is easier than trying to uncouple standard couplings. What I do like is the way when you back up to a train with magnetic couplings the loco and train come together with a satisfying clunk.
Second thing I have found, and was very surprised by, is that 009 is far more finnicky and fiddly than N gauge. I thought I would have no issues as I was used to N but I have found 009 to be more "testing" than N. I have even bought one of those re-railer thingies. Something I never needed in N.
Having said all that I am enjoying 009 so far. 4mm scale does seem very big after 2mm but of course the 009 stock is quite small. It certainly has its own charm. This move to 009 does not mean I am abandoning N gauge, far from it. Dawlish Warren is still up and running as is Cwm Bach but with all 3 layouts up in my 8 by 4 shed it is a bit tight. Dawlish Warren will be out at Abingdon in March but that is the only planned outing for any of my layouts this year.

I'm calling the layout Oakesbridge as a tribute to my local model shop which closed a couple of years ago. I must have been a customer there for around 60 years. Here is the current state of play.


This might look good but it isn't. The backscene is just a mock up blue tacked in place. I will get it properly printed and pasted in due course. Love the loco though.



Another loco on the bridge showing clearly that there is not any scenery in place. The bridge is there because it has to support the track base.



Same photo but with added AI. This has given me an indication of what it should look like and the inspiration to try to do as a good a job as AI has.



I do like a railcar. I didn't mention that bridge is dual gauge so I have a bit of 00 as well. Compared to N and 009 it does look a little "orribly oversized". 

Of course, technically, 009 is N gauge.

Quote from: Yet_Another on January 27, 2026, 09:32:53 AMOf course, technically, 009 is N gauge.

That works well until you drive an 009 loco past a signal on an N gauge layout. At that point you find that a. 009 locos tend to be wider than N and b. the ladders on the N gauge signals are not very strong.

Great stuff! I look forward to seeing Oakesbridge develop.

With all good wishes.

John

I built a 009 rabbit warren layout back in 1977. I still love 009. The Peco train packs and Kato locomotives are especially appealing.

Kato now make OO9 Unitrack! The range is rather limited at the moment (62 & 124mm straights and 183mm radius curves).

I'm planning some Skarloey inspired mini-modules building on the Kato mini-dioramas.

Gauge and scale creep. Its a contagion!

Quote from: Chris Morris on January 27, 2026, 10:18:44 AM

Quote from: Yet_Another on January 27, 2026, 09:32:53 AMOf course, technically, 009 is N gauge.

That works well until you drive an 009 loco past a signal on an N gauge layout. At that point you find that a. 009 locos tend to be wider than N and b. the ladders on the N gauge signals are not very strong.

Still N gauge though

I did dabble in 009 at one point but it never quite grabbed me. Somewhere I still have a fairlie although sadly it needs the motion fixing. I'll stick to the real ones

Taking stuff out now and then is prototypical anyway. The first train from Caernarfon to Portmadoc arrived with slightly less battery box cover on one of the coaches than it left with after an altercation with a platform edge at Beddgelert.

Quote from: Bob G on January 27, 2026, 12:17:12 PMGauge and scale creep. Its a contagion!

Don't worry they are developing a vaccine for it 

Yeah, when I rode the Ffestiniog a few years back it stopped for half an hour on the way back because a piece broke. Luckily the crew had a spare bit on board.

There are a lot of good things that come out of being a member of a model railway club. You meet like minded people, you can get good ideas and also good advice. Warley club has an excellent library and around 24 layouts to play with. Not all of these are up at the same time but most of them are. Another great thing about being a club member is that, if you are into exhibitions, you get the chance to take club layouts to various exhibitions. Being a club member is also a good way to get your own layout onto the exhibition scene as many clubs have their own exhibition and need "home" layouts that are cheap. Clubs also have contacts at other clubs which again is helpful if you want to exhibit your layout.

I have reached a point where I have my own exhibition manager contacts and I think exhibition managers have a degree of confidence in me as an exhibitor. This is all very nice and cosy but it can make life interesting. Last night this new layout got invited to the Warley at Statfold show for this October. Looks like I'm going to be a busy boy! This is what it looks like at the moment.



At least it is all fully working and I have painted the track since this photo was taken.