The Model Mine - Lightning Ridge Scale Model from the 1960s

In the late 1960s, a Lightning Ridge resident built a detailed scale model of Opal Street that's still on display. Let's check it out!

In the late 1960s, a Lightning Ridge resident built a detailed scale model of Opal Street that's still on display. Let's check it out! The Model Mine is on d...

The Model Mine is on display at The Big Opal, on the Three Mile Road in Lightning Ridge.

Special thanks to Steve at The Big Opal.

Behind the scenes filming this episode with Steve at The Big Opal.

Behind the scenes filming this episode with Steve at The Big Opal.

Looking from the Butcher’s Shop end of the block down toward Pandora Street (not part of the model). I’m curious whether “nose-in” parking was the norm at the time, or if the cars were simply oriented for the best view in the model.

Looking from the Butcher’s Shop end of the block down toward Pandora Street (not part of the model). I’m curious whether “nose-in” parking was the norm at the time, or if the cars were simply oriented for the best view in the model.

The red, white and blue BMW in centre, tourist bus and various livestock inhabit the street.

The red, white and blue BMW in centre, tourist bus and various livestock inhabit the street.

An overview of the model, underground scenario and name plate. The entire unit is designed to fit into the corner of a room, and is trapezoidal in shape accordingly.

An overview of the model, underground scenario and name plate. The entire unit is designed to fit into the corner of a room, and is trapezoidal in shape accordingly.

Aerial view of Opal Street (obviously). The placement of the telegraph/power poles is completely accurate. The actual poles are in the same position to this day, refer photos below.

Aerial view of Opal Street (obviously). The placement of the telegraph/power poles is completely accurate. The actual poles are in the same position to this day, refer photos below.

Overview from the left (north) end of the model.

Overview from the left (north) end of the model.

Overview from the right (south) end of the model.

Overview from the right (south) end of the model.

Part of the underground mining diorama, featuring a shaft (vertical), drive (horizontal) and a ballroom (dome shaped excavation). A red rickshaw/wheelbarrow waits for dirt. The cut logs used for support are props, preventing the collapse of the driv…

Part of the underground mining diorama, featuring a shaft (vertical), drive (horizontal) and a ballroom (dome shaped excavation). A red rickshaw/wheelbarrow waits for dirt. The cut logs used for support are props, preventing the collapse of the drive ceilings.

Overview of the model in situ at The Big Opal.

Overview of the model in situ at The Big Opal.

If you didn’t take a selfie, were you really there?

If you didn’t take a selfie, were you really there?

Comparison 1: North end. The sign on top of the Butcher’s Shop has remained unchanged since the ‘60s. The porch at the front of the two-story building was removed a few years ago, but it was offset from the other porches as depicted accurately in th…

Comparison 1: North end. The sign on top of the Butcher’s Shop has remained unchanged since the ‘60s. The porch at the front of the two-story building was removed a few years ago, but it was offset from the other porches as depicted accurately in the model.

Comparison 2: Front on, looking from the west. There’s actually not much to point out in this comparison as the model is incredibly faithful to the original block of buildings. I suspect the builder may have intended to complete more detail on the u…

Comparison 2: Front on, looking from the west. There’s actually not much to point out in this comparison as the model is incredibly faithful to the original block of buildings. I suspect the builder may have intended to complete more detail on the upper storey of the taller building, but concluded the project early. Projects are never finished, only abandoned.

Comparison 3: “The Mine”, or the Ridge Lightning Lightning Photography Gallery (2009). This shop has been through about ten different colour schemes since we had the gallery open. In my objective opinion, ours was best. :)

Comparison 3: “The Mine”, or the Ridge Lightning Lightning Photography Gallery (2009). This shop has been through about ten different colour schemes since we had the gallery open. In my objective opinion, ours was best. :)

The Ridge Lightning Lightning Photography gallery, 2009.

The Ridge Lightning Lightning Photography gallery, 2009.

The only photograph I managed to take of our lightning photography gallery with lightning, although you have to squint to see it.

The only photograph I managed to take of our lightning photography gallery with lightning, although you have to squint to see it.

I mentioned at the end of the YouTube video that I made an error somewhere in it. I’m not going to explain it here, but it relates to the building I labeled as “our gallery”, so feel free to analyse in further detail.

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