Braunton Scale Model Club

Following on from the Worcestershire Model Expo that Sue and I attended with our two grandsons earlier this week I wanted to post these images of the Braunton Scale Model Club display table. The bulk of the models shown are large scale scratch built models by Simon Orrell who was kind enough to spend some time with me passing on hints and tips as to the construction materials and techniques he uses.

His models were of real interest to me as his style and modelling skills are similar to those that I use when working on my narrow gauge railway layouts. We discussed how he (like me) enjoys using different materials to construct his models - materials that would not be obvious choices but just work - like the use of a McDonald's sauce tub to model a stainless steel sink!

I also like his use of 'clutter' something that I also love to include on my layouts.

The final two images were taken from the internet - mainly from the Braunton Scale Model Club Instagram account/page.

I hope that you enjoy them as much as I did and finally, a big thank you to Simon for his time and advice it was very much appreciated.

Tony

Christmas 2025 Project - update #8

The scratch built headframe has been painted with acrylic paints, drybrushed and 'aged' with washes. There is still a lot to do with painting the detail but these images give some idea of the colour and effect I was trying for.

There is still a lot of weathering to do on the wooden and metal parts but I like the progress so far.

The final image shows the painted headframe resting on the snap-off blade container alongside the main mine building.

I have been quite busy with 'other' projects this week but would expect to be able to show more work-in-progress by the weekend or the early part of next week. Finally I wanted to thank everyone for the very kind words and Blog comments - it is very much appreciated.

Tony

Christmas 2025 Project - update #7

Today's post shows the weathering of the red painted walls. I wanted a well worn look but not too over the top. In these three images you can see the pit head un-painted but this will change very soon. It is also resting on a snap-off bladed (yellow) case which helps to raise the wooden frame by about 12mm the height that I want for the final setting.

I have included this 64mm tall figure to give an idea of the size of this model mine and pit head.

Tony

Worcestershire Model Expo - a gallery of some of the images

From earlier on today. I cannot take full credit for the images as many were taken by my grandsons Finley and Charlie who were in attendance helping out on the Yellow Pelican Mining narrow gauge railway layout.

Tony

Christmas 2025 Project -update #6

I choose to paint the building in a traditional Bauxite Red colour as seen on the original ThunderMesa site. I consulted the internet about the exact colour and found out that American barns were painted in a mixture of cheap homemade paint or sealant made from linseed oil and red rust to protect the timbers. I mixed my red from red and Linen with a touch of brown Craft Paints and tried to vary the colour across the walls with a slightly darker colour to the base of the walls and lighter to the upper edges. The interior has also been given a coat of red, two coats in fact and although very little will be seen, I have highlighted what little detail there is on the inside with a light drybrush.

The door surrounds were painted in a light cream (white was far to stark) but even this was latter toned down with a light brown wash.

Tony

Worcestershire Model Expo - Sunday September 20th

This Sunday I will be attending the inaugural Worcesterhire Model Expo which will be held at the Perdiswell Leisure Centre from 10.00 to 4.00.

My intention is to exhibit The Yellow Pelican narrow gauge layout and some other models (space permitting).

For more information see this link.

Tony

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