have they ever made HO scale figurines that i could use as executives of the railroad? like men in suits that look professional? I need people who are skinny and some are fatter... please help if you can! thanks in advance! provide a link if possible
SP - You might check out the HO Preiser figurine catalog here: http://www.rocousa.com/pr/preisernewitems2010.pdf
You did not say what ERA figures you are modeling. For steam and transition era- fist 2/3rd of 20th century, railroad executives would probably be males in business suits. Late 20th century executives- WHO knows?!?!?!? General and passenger figures would probably work if they are not carrying luggage. You might need some repaint to put figures in conservative black, navy and dark gray suits- commercial figures are often garishly colored. I approach figures as if I were a movie studio casting director. What role can I see a figure take with a little help from makeup and costume department and a little creative directing. I don't think mftrs make figures intended specifically for a 1920s-1950s nightclub scene, for instance, but I modified a number of pre-painted and paint-your-own figures to cast appropriate poses for roles as Mr. Bigg, waiters, bartender, clueless-tourist-with-money who the management can tolerate, "easy" but "non-professional" lady, etc. Use your imagination...
I'm a huge fan of Preiser figures. I also like the variety from Woodland Scenics. If they're going interior to the layout and not completely in the line of sight unpainted Model Power and just about any other brand are fun to paint. I like the idea that the figures are merely actors and we are the costumers that decide who they will become on the layout. I have made several bikers out of ordinary citizens, by adding some blue jeans, painted vests, and assorted brush strokes. It is hard to decide what my favorite part of this hobby is but the figures might be close to the top of the list. Paint on!
Your request brings me back to a long time ago when my daughter was about 11. She wanted something fun to do, so I gave her a box of about 50 Prieser figures, and a boatload of paints and some 00 brushes, and told her to have a ball. About a week later, she brought me all the people back. Every one was different. Hair color eyes, skin color, fat ones, thin ones, women, men kids. Some walking some sitting, some working, some waving, one smoking a teeny tiny cigarette. I had all races and ages. I even had one with an amputated leg and a cane. But that wasn't all. Every one had a name and a life story she had made up. What a hoot. I loved it. I got to know my daughter better, from listening to her stories. STEVE
Steve, thats pretty cool. When I was younger (early 90's) I had a similar experience with my step dad and our N scale layout. Side note-I recently discovered Preiser, and went through their entire catalog. I liked most of it and they have almost everything, but some of it is ummm.... unusual (as in I won't put on my layout) shale we say? Josh
