Christmas 2025 Project - update #9

Today's post shows a couple of subtle changes to the headframe and how it will eventually be attached to the main building. Firstly the low stone wall that sits below the timber frame has now been modelled. I have used blue insulation foam and carved the individual stones with a scalpel before opening up the joins with the point of a pencil. Texture was added by sanding the surface of the stones with sandpaper and impressing a rough stone in to the foam. Painting was done by giving the stones an all over coat of grey and then using drybrushing and washes to impart variation and some age to the stones.

The headframe has also has some spacers added between the back of the headframe timbers and the front wall of the building as I thought that this was need to move the headframe forward by about 3mm. Please note that at this stage the headframe is still not glued in place but loose to aid painting and the fitting of the corrugated iron sheets that will be used for the roofing.

Then we have the wooden frame for the top of the mine entrance - this was constructed from some balsawood and 'aged' by sanding and running the teeth of a razorsaw along the length. There are also some plastic card (metal) supports added to the upper edges and detailed with plastic rod. Painting followed the same techniques as the rest of the wooden areas.

At every stage of construction I have been adding detail to the headframe and red painted walls. I want a used but not decrepit look.

Tony

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