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

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

5 4 3 2 1 FAB Exhibition at Worcester Museum 2026

These are just some of the exhibits at the 54321 FAB exhibition at Worcester Museum this month. The displays show a huge variety of different toys, books and illustrations from the life of Gerry Anderson and his creations. For more information, see this link.

Tony

Make & Craft Embellishments from The Works

Last week I picked up this bag of what looked like ground foam from The Works. At just £3.00 I thought it was a great bargain and one that I was sure I could use for adding ground cover to my wargame models and model railway layouts.

For £3.00 you get quite a lot of material as it is really stuffed into the bag. On opening the bag I found that rather than being lots of fine foam it was in fact a mix of foam and threads more suitable for modelling bushes and trees. 

There really is much too much for anything other than a large layout and all being one colour it could look a little off. I therefore decided to experiment and see if I could make different colours.

The image below show the first tests. From left to right they are; basic colour, added Ochre, Linen and Ochre, red brown and dark green with a touch of black. As you can see there is quite a variety and I have not yet used 1/5th of the bag.

The new colours were mixed from acrylic paints with just a touch of water - remember to wear gloves as it is very messy. If you 'click' on the images you can get a better idea of the texture - a bit like natural wool with fine foam added.

Trust me this is well worth the outlay and should give you enough model greenery to last a very long time plus it is so much cheaper than model shop bought ground cover.

Tony

Spanish Horreo (Grain store) - Miniature Wargames issue 521

Issue 521 (September 2026) of Miniature Wargames features another scratch built building tutorial/article written by me - A Spanish Horreo or raised grain store.

For more information of the magazine contents, see this link. With T. G. Jones looking to close even more of their high street stores I would suggest that there is no better way of supporting this or any other gaming magazine than taking out a subscription. I fear that magazines are going to find it difficult over the next couple of years.

The final image shows the completed but yet to be painted model. The Horreo was first published in my limited edition and self published book - Dampfpanzerwagon Guide No. 2 - More Wargame Terrain which was published in 2014 and is no longer in print.

Tony

Car Boot Sale Bargains

Sue and I have just returned from the local car boot sale where I picked up this bargain box of sanding sticks for just £4.00. My best bargain buy of the year!

Below I have detailed the full contents which I have estimated to be worth in excess of £60.00. The stall holder was not aware of what they were and said I could have the whole box for £4.00. I later told him what they were and he was pleased that they were going to someone who both knew what they were and would use them.

On a different stall I bought this OLFA rotary cutter and spare blades for £2.00 - £1.50 for the cutter and 50p for the blades. In addition I picked up two A3 cutting mats one brand new for £3.00 and 20p for a used example. Even more modelling bargains.

Back home I just couldn't wait to post about my good fortune.

Tony

Cold Comfort Lane - completed

It's taken some time but Cold Comfort Lane is now finished.....

The 1/35th scale project was started back in 2023 when I built a 1/35th scale narrow gauge fireless loco on a Hornby 0-4-0 'Smokey Joe' chassis, since then I have been working on 'other' projects and magazine work but it is now finished (well as finished as any model railway layout can be).

Cold Comfort Lane is a 2 foot narrow gauge Inglenook or switching layout designed to be small enough and light enough to be easily transported between the garage (where it was built) and my computer room (where I am currently writing this post) and also allow me to have some fun playing trains!

The facia was painted black and then varnished with matt varnish before I added some vinyl name tags which were ordered off the internet. My son and two grandsons helped with applying them which is fitting as the G. J. H. and Sons Ltd  related to Gary my son and my two grandsons Finley and Charlie.

My daughter wants me to exhibit the layout and the earlier Yellow Pelican narrow gauge layout and is already talking about a show next March. We will see.

It has taken a while to get the layout finished and I am now looking at my next project - another narrow gauge layout? You will have to wait and see.

Thank you for all the comments they are very much appreciated.

Tony

Cold Comfort Lane - Low Relief Building part eleven

The low relief warehouse has now been fully integrated into the layout with the groundwork painted with 'tester pots' mixed up for me by my local DIY store with the first layers of static grass and ground foam added over PVA glue.

I have started to add the items of clutter - wooden barrels old drums and odd bits of greenery. There are still some additional items I want to add before I call it done (well as done or finished as any model railway layout can be).

You can also see the painted sign - G.J.H and Sons Ltd. The bare sign was designed in WORD, printed on to plain paper and then painted with acrylic paints before being glued in place with Pritt paper glue. The name is the initials of my son and the Sons are my grandsons Finley and Charlie. A family affair.

Tony

Cold Comfort Lane - Low Relief Building part ten

The warehouse was mounted on to a piece of 5mm thick under floor insulation to raise it up to the correct height. I used a mixture of PVA and superglue to keep everything in place and give a good strong join.

Then DAS modelling clay was used to model the groundwork. Once again the DAS was laid over PVA glue. When everything had fully set I added the rusted air tank to the side. This was built from a simple cardboard tube wrapped in plastic card and with a deodorant roll-on ball for the top. It was painted in browns and orange acrylic paints and when fully dry brushed with some rust powders.

The low relief warehouse was mounted to the small Inglenook layout base with the help of some scrap wood which I held in place while the glue dried, this meant that it was 'square' with the MDF layout facia.

Tony