Hi
I am starting to look at getting figures as they can get expensive I am starting to but them a little at a time. Just getting the 2009 Walthers Catalog recently I can see some nice detail on some of the figures. I am just curious what most people prefer? I plan on using them in my passenger cars, in stores, obviously just about everywhere. I don't have the expertise to paint them myself so I am looking at the pre painted.
Again thanks for the help.
Robert
Woodland Scenics is about as good as it gets.
Gene
Cherry Creek has a good supply of figures. Click on their Search and search for figures. They have different brands at pretty good prices.
http://www.cchobbies.com/
I could not get a direct link. I buy figures from them.
Yardbird Trains has train crew figures mostly for steam era.
http://www.yardbirdtrains.com/YBSfigures.htm
Use Google and search for ho scale figures might provide some answers. Put the links in your Favorites folder for future reference and to advise others.
Rich
If you don't mind painting, try this.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXAM96&P=0 (http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXAM96&P=0)
I use woodland for all the people seen up close. any figures I have that are facing away I use the cheep stuff that I can find on ebay
Wood land sceinics is very good qualy at an ok price. Preiser also makes very nice figures along with many animals and over all a way bigger variety as seen in the walthers reference book. I agree that the life like figures and other cheaper ones are good for passenger cars and buildings, places that aren't directly viewed for their detail but more as just people. I find the life like figures are a bit shiny compared to woodland sceinics figures so a light dull cote really helps, and mabye even a grimy wash to bring out the wrinkles and stuff
Robert - I model a small NY branchline in the early fall of 1889. Finding people and wagons, of this era, can be daunting to say the least. We have been very satisfied with the offerings from Musket Miniatures {http://www.musketminiatures.com/ (http://www.musketminiatures.com/)). Their figures and wagons are made of Zamac (a relatively soft metal alloy) and require painting.
Hope this helps,
Ray
We tried to find some decent horses for our ranch theme. The people who make these things obviously never saw a horse.
We have registered quarter horses, the figures look like broken down old plow horses.
I use Woodland Scenics for any figures that will be in the foreground, and I buy bulk unpainted figures to chop/bash together for everywhere else.
http://www.micromark.com/HO-SCALE-FIGURES-UNPAINTED-SET-OF-72,8877.html (http://www.micromark.com/HO-SCALE-FIGURES-UNPAINTED-SET-OF-72,8877.html)
Sid
Quote from: Yampa Bob on March 23, 2009, 09:01:42 AM
We tried to find some decent horses for our ranch theme. The people who make these things obviously never saw a horse.
We have registered quarter horses, the figures look like broken down old plow horses.
Maybe you could turn the ranch into a haven for broken-down old plow horses. ;)
Quote from: CNE Runner on March 23, 2009, 08:49:38 AM
Robert - I model a small NY branchline in the early fall of 1889. Finding people and wagons, of this era, can be daunting to say the least. We have been very satisfied with the offerings from Musket Miniatures {http://www.musketminiatures.com/). Their figures and wagons are made of Zamac (a relatively soft metal alloy) and require painting.
Hope this helps,
Ray
I'm too lazy and untalented to paint my own, so for people I swear by Preiser. Preiser's "Edwardian" figures are "close enough" for me for "circa 1900." Plus Preiser also has Edwardians in winter clothing--very handy for the Christmas layout.
Yeah Jeff, I have some of the Preiser's "Edwardian" figures, but don't use them because their dress is closer to the 1830 - 1850 than my layout's era. I also model a very rural area in the Hudson Valley, NY and I find the Preiser figures are "too dressed up" for farm folk of the 1890's. They are quality figures and it is beyond me how anyone can spend all day painting hundreds of figures in HO scale. The Musket Miniatures figures are unpainted and do require considerable patience to complete. I made the mistake of not priming a couple of figures (before painting) and had a devil of a time making the acrylic paints cover the bare metal.
I like the idea of having cheaper figures toward the back of the layout except that my layout is only 30" wide and figures are very noticeable. Bob: did you check out MM website for horses? They seem to offer quite a range of figures. Another company that offers horses and wagons is Jordan. My complaint with them is that all their offerings are plastic.
Well, I have to go and complete the weathering on the boiler house for the C.L. Kehrer Cider Mill.
Cheers,
Ray
Jeff,
I am a broken down old plow horse, luckily a new law doesn't allow shooting horses just because they are old. I just don't want the horses on our layout to look older than me. :D
Ya , like that could happen, Me·thu´se·lah
Quote from: CNE Runner on March 24, 2009, 06:30:27 PM
Yeah Jeff, I have some of the Preiser's "Edwardian" figures, but don't use them because their dress is closer to the 1830 - 1850 than my layout's era. I also model a very rural area in the Hudson Valley, NY and I find the Preiser figures are "too dressed up" for farm folk of the 1890's. They are quality figures and it is beyond me how anyone can spend all day painting hundreds of figures in HO scale. The Musket Miniatures figures are unpainted and do require considerable patience to complete. I made the mistake of not priming a couple of figures (before painting) and had a devil of a time making the acrylic paints cover the bare metal.
Howdy, Ray,
Actually, Preiser makes civilian figures in two "styles" of "old-time" clothing. Over the years I have assembled a collection of quite a few of the figures you are talking about, closer to 1830-1850 (the women appear to be wearing hoopskirts, for example). I call them "mid-Victorians"; I don't know what Preiser calls them. I use them for civilians for the American Civil War period.
But the figures I wrote about as "Edwardians" really are "costumed" more for roughly 1890-1910--the men are in more "modern" suits and hats, and the women have broad-brimmed hats instead of bonnets, and no hoopskirts. If you've ever seen
Hello, Dolly!, the clothes look like the costume styles for that show. ;D For me they work OK for that period, 1890-1910, but in general I would agree, they are "too dressed-up" to be folks working on farms. Perhaps you might be able to use a few of them as passengers waiting for the train. :)
Jeff
Thanks for the input Jeff...I'll have to check out these figures. Actually, during the late 1800s - and really into the beginning of the 20th century, no one would consider taking a train trip without wearing their best clothes. I probably could have a couple of these figures decorating the station or the downtown area.
Ray
Ray,
Consider the difference in "best clothes" between J. Pierpont Morgan and his most newly hired janitor. Best clothes may not be frock coat or hoop skirt.
Gene
Quote from: CNE Runner on March 25, 2009, 03:56:07 PM
Thanks for the input Jeff...I'll have to check out these figures. Actually, during the late 1800s - and really into the beginning of the 20th century, no one would consider taking a train trip without wearing their best clothes. I probably could have a couple of these figures decorating the station or the downtown area.
Ray
That's exactly what I was thinking. ;)
You could try scouting eBay for "Edwardians." That's where I got most of my figures, both the folks in winter clothes and otherwise.
I'm sure Gene is correct, but on the other hand, J.P. Morgan's janitor probably didn't have much time, opportunity, or resources for travel, either. ;)
Jeff
I've seen lots of "cowboys" on trains. At least in the movies, anyway. :D
Terry - cowboys were pretty rare in upstate NY...outside of the occasional circus or wild west show. I have numerous pictures of the late 1800s and people wore pretty simple clothes. Of course almost everyone sported suspenders and a hat and ladies wore full-length skirts. The dandies used to wait at popular trolley stops so they could catch a glimpse of a lady's ankle as she boarded the tram...ah, simpler times.
Happy trails partner,
Ray
A few words of advice for New York ladies heading west for adventure.
http://www.lyricsdownload.com/conway-twitty-don-t-call-him-a-cowboy-lyrics.html
Quote from: CNE Runner on March 26, 2009, 08:35:06 PM
Terry - cowboys were pretty rare in upstate NY...outside of the occasional circus or wild west show. I have numerous pictures of the late 1800s and people wore pretty simple clothes. Of course almost everyone sported suspenders and a hat and ladies wore full-length skirts. The dandies used to wait at popular trolley stops so they could catch a glimpse of a lady's ankle as she boarded the tram...ah, simpler times.
Happy trails partner,
Ray
Surely you're not speaking from personal experience. ... :o ;)
No - that was Bob.
Gene
Now what did I do? Gee, I get blamed for everything. :D :D
I have a good alibi, I was asleep at the time. 8)
Quote from: Yampa Bob on March 27, 2009, 04:46:48 PM
Now what did I do? Gee, I get blamed for everything. :D :D
I have a good alibi, I was asleep at the time. 8)
I think you've been accused of having an eye for a well-turned female ankle. ;)
Everyone
Wow I greatly appreciate everyones input. Thanks again! I would love to paint them myself but i just don't have the artistic ability. I like the idea of using the better brands in the high view areas and the lower one in the low vis areas.
Robert
No - old enough to be turned on by an exposed ankle as today a boy might be turned on by an exposed b-----.
Gene
Hi,
Have a look at http://www.trackdownunder.com.au/ thay have hand-painted and un-painted HO and N scale figures and animals at reasonable prices. They are here in Australia but given the US dollar is currently worth around $1.30AUD it is worth buying and paying the postage which would not be much on such a small item.
The Woodlands Scenics and Prieser figures are really expensive here and I have found these to be good value.
John from Aus
John - I tried the website you suggested and got to the page with OO/HO figures. The problem is nothing will open (that is to say one cannot actually see these figures). I tried several times and even turned my monitor upside-down to no avail. Is there a secret Australian code?
G'day,
Crocodile Ray
G'day Ray,
No secret codes and no you don't have to turn your monitor upside down, but I do like your sense of humour though!!
Try clicking on Online Shop, then categories and then you should see photos of all the products. Then click on the people photo.
If you click on products I think it only shows a list, you have to go into Online shop to see the items.
Let me know how you go.
Regards
John from Aus
John - Thanks for the Aussi website...worked great! I'll have to add it to my favorites and consider ordering from them.
Take care,
Ray
Quote from: CNE Runner on March 26, 2009, 08:35:06 PM
Terry - cowboys were pretty rare in upstate NY...outside of the occasional circus or wild west show. I have numerous pictures of the late 1800s and people wore pretty simple clothes. Of course almost everyone sported suspenders and a hat and ladies wore full-length skirts. The dandies used to wait at popular trolley stops so they could catch a glimpse of a lady's ankle as she boarded the tram...ah, simpler times.
Happy trails partner,
Ray
If you look at photos taken of "cowboys" in the 1800s, you'll see that the vast, vast majority never dressed anything like they do these days.
The "cowboy" dress of today is purely a fiction created by the movies.
i agree woodland scenes .my gf picked up some cool figures .on our mountain we have some rock climbers . down on the lake.in the middle theres a boulder and a couple sitting there, hopelessly in love .also some fishermen .also up on the mountain a couple of log cabins with lights and smoke. we found also the bear up in the woods stalking the guy sitting across the log taken a dump .also she pickup the outhouse .down in our industry .she has a little park with the kids flying kites . all found just from hitting different hobby shops taking a drive on a sunday . she has went nuts on the figures . she doesn't use every pcs in every package . she might see one or 2 pcs that help with the scene she is developing . the other half of our train room is devoted to her scenery . i have tried and tried to upload pictures on this site but always file is to big or already full contact admin . but the cool part is that we are both into it . i don't know all the history of the trains i do some but the fact is .we all create it . she wants to keep it wholesome but humor if you really look .peace to all ....... theres alot more out there than the mags and cats offer .
Um. I'm not sure this should be posted here, but it is figures in HO from a respected European model manufacturer. Especially as these figures are animated. I have chosen one page with the least salacious example .... :)
You have been warned:
http://www.viessmann-modell.com/en/produkte/sorte.php?id=8&sprache=2&gr_nr=2&typ=bewe
Steve, you answered a question I have had for six months or so. About that long ago, I visited a rather large layout in Georgia. Our host handed us a clipboard containing a piece of paper with 10 or 12 blank lines and instructed us to list anything unusual we saw on the layout. Some of the items were easily found whilst others were not. After we had all turned in our lists (there was a T-shirt prize to the person that found the most items), our host showed us all of the "irregularities". Most of the scenes were either hidden on rooftops - or one had to look through windows. We asked him where he found such "scenes" and he said that would remain his secret. Well...his secret is out.
Ray
I'd like to find 200 or 300 head of cattle for a little Santa Fe station called "Hulah." I'd like to do a simulation of a cattle yard loading up a Steam train of cattle cars headed north for KC or Chicago.
Twice a year cattlemen from this area of OK and KS swarmed the station to get thier beef to market by rail. This was at the turn of the century when big ranches were going great guns here. The Hulah story is interesting - I'll try to find some good info on it.
Rick
hey okie , i used to live in ottawa ks . and have seen the delivery in the stock yards by the governors exhibition hall in kc.k . they would off load them and take them to the iowa beef packing company in emporia ks 60 mi s of topeka . also dodge city they hearded them from around garden city ks . one of the few cattle drives . where they used actual cowboys on horse back .i would like to here and read the history when you find it .peace to all mark f
Quote from: johnca51 on April 12, 2009, 11:07:24 AM
Hi,
Have a look at http://www.trackdownunder.com.au/ thay have hand-painted and un-painted HO and N scale figures and animals at reasonable prices. They are here in Australia but given the US dollar is currently worth around $1.30AUD it is worth buying and paying the postage which would not be much on such a small item.
The Woodlands Scenics and Prieser figures are really expensive here and I have found these to be good value.
John from Aus
The HO people are available on E-bay. There are a couple of vendors selling these sets of painted and unpainted figures.
Would be ok for background figures, would not use for closeup viewing.
may i say it was like a once a year deal . kinda like a show . like a history reenactment