Christmas 2025 Project - update #5

I thought I would use this post to give more details of the inspiration for this building.

The project had stalled and for some time I didn't really know where I wanted to go with this build. Then I saw a post by ThunderMesa Trains from YouTube showing the construction of a new limited edition kit - The Gold Tooth Mine. For full details see;

Gold Tooth Mine Part 1

Gold Tooth Mine Part 2

Gold Tooth Mine Part 3

And 

Thunder Messa Kits

In addition I have also used images that we took at Disneyland Paris earlier this year.

There are many other ThunderMesa YouTube posts worth watching, such as these;

Big Thunder Mine

And

Bandit Canyon Mine

My 1:27.7 (11mm = 1 foot) scale scratch built model is a combination of all of the above using mainly scrap materials I have stored in my shed-at-the-bottom-of-the-garden and as such will be totally unique.

I would hope that you enjoy watching these truly inspirational videos and that they inspire you to build a model railway layout or stand alone mine as well.

Tony

Christmas 2025 Project - update #4

The basic roof has been built from some scrap card (backing card from a sketch book) with the holes for the pit supports cut out. Once again I have raised the footings of the supports by slotting in a snap-off knife blade container. The large opening to the rear of the roof is for the roof cupola where the pit winding gear will enter the structure.

I have cut a piece of balsawood to the same height as the yellow blade container and glued this to the inside to act as a support for the diagonal posts that run inside the building.

At this point the roof has NOT been glued down as I still need to paint the interior.

Tony

Modelling Thatch from DAS Modelling Clay - Miniature Wargames issue 522

The latest issue of Miniature Wargames (issue 522 from October 2026) features another article written by me and showing how I built a small 28mm scale A Frame Hovel for use on the wargame table. However the real reason for the article was to show in greater detail how I use DAS modelling clay to portray thatch. For more information you can pick up the magazine from your local newsagent or gaming store.

I believe that DAS can produce thatch with both 'body' and texture as can be seen in these images and although there are simpler techniques for example scouring pads or teddy bear fur I prefer DAS to any other material as it allow you to build such a wide variety of different style of thatch.

I would be interested to hear how you produce your own modelled thatch.

Tony

Christmas 2025 Project - update #3

Firstly, thank you to everyone who commented and offered advice about my issues with Blogger (this blog post has now been deleted). Today's post show some of the early detailed modelling like the added battens and door detail which has been modelled with balsawood and used fruit packing crate wood. The door furniture has been constructed from plastic card and plastic rod glued in place with a mixture of poly cement and superglue.

In addition I have added some metal cross bracing and supports to the main pit head. These have been modelled with plastic rod and more balsawood. They were inspired by the pit head and mine seen at Disneyland Paris earlier this year.

The new snap-off bladed case (yellow plastic under the main frame) is included because I have realised that the wooden pit supports will need to be raised by about 11mm - 12mm. My plan is to build a short stone base from some scrap foam to support the frame.

The final image shows the mine from the other side. Note that there is battening to the inside as well as a foamboard corner angle to keep everything 'square'.

Tony

Christmas 2025 Project - update #2

The main building has been built over a foamboard core (a used advertising sign) with balsawood cladding glued in place with a mixture of superglue and PVA. I have started adding the wooden battens to the front these were cut from thin wood salvaged from a fruit packing crate cut into thin strips.

The small window on the lean-to was cut from a cheap plastic toy and glued in place with superglue. Once again, I have included this 1:27.7 scale figure to give an idea of the size of this model.

Tony

Christmas 2025 Project - update

The main gantry or pithead was built from a single piece of 11mm thick soft wood that I had in my scrap wood store. I cut the main posts slightly oversize with a snap-off bladed knife and then sanded the pieces to the exact profile before first cutting them to length and finally gluing them together with superglue. The red pulley came from a plastic construction toy and most of the reinforcing metal strapping and bolt heads were modelled from plastic card. The pulley is glued in place on a metal rod and does not turn.

I have included a 1:27.7 scale or 65mm tall figure to give an idea of the size. 

The design is a mix of the Gold Tooth Mine (see earlier post) and a similar mine that I photographed at Disneyland Paris earlier this year.

Tony

Christmas 2025 reborn

With the Cold Comfort Lane 1:35th scale, narrow gauge railway layout complete I was left looking around for my next modelling project and rather than start a completely new one I went back to my Christmas 2025 stalled project. The Christmas 2025 Pizza layout.

The layout was moving along at quite a pace but a virus over the Christmas period left me a little deflated and I have to admit that I had lost all interest in modelling in a cold shed. Details of the progress up to this time can be found by searching the Christmas 2025 link to the right or 'clicking' on this link.

Moving forward the first piece of work was installing a transformer/controller. I had wanted to use a unit that I had bought off the internet but with this not working properly, I went back to this tried-and-tested Hornby controller that I had in my stash. The simple single knob unit is not glued in place but the black plastic facia panel and four screws are enough to hold it securely in place. I can confirm that it works perfectly.

I had planned that there would be an in-and-out industrial unit for this layout and I had built a number of mock-ups but I have to admit that none of them really appealed to me. Then I saw a YouTube video from ThunderMessa Trains (see this link) and the decision was made. I would build a similar structure to 11mm = 1 foot and situate it in the middle of the Pizza layout.

The first stage was to draw up a sketch plan.

I think that this plan shows how I work better than words.....

It's a mess with amendments and re-drawn details across the whole page. But is was enough for me to start cutting strip wood and I can honestly say that my modelling MOJO is well and truly back.

Expect further updates later this week, but for now, welcome to my version of Gold Tooth Mine.

Tony