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

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