Go figure

 I suppose if you were modelling a ghost town then there would be no need to populate it. Not many of us do, so there is a need to find people i.e. model figures. When I made the decision to switch scales there are so many things to consider in making your final choice, the availability of O scale figures isn't a roadblock for the change over.

When I was in HO scale (the most common scale) there were plenty of figures available. The level of finish varied greatly from Prieser figures to mass produced figures from China best viewed from a long way away. They were also available 'naked' allowing you to dress them up in any way you wanted. How many modellers had started with the 'pink colour' saying I'll do all the hand and faces and then that's as far as it got. As you were painting the trousers an accidental slip of the paint brush had his nice blue shirt now a shade of brown. This is the stage when you thought I am not going to do any more and your economy drive to save money by painting your own figures came to a crashing end. 

Upscaling to O scale meant the figures were going to be larger, less room for painting mistakes? O scale figures are going to be harder to source and Woodland Scenics have produced some in O scale which I presume being American based would be 1/4" to the foot scale (1:48). I have selected some WS figures when we were able to get into Victoria and they are still in the draw waiting for the day when they can come up to the layout for a breath of fresh air.

An Andian figure painted by Ian Fainges

When making my layout I try to take the level of modelling up a level of my previous attempts. These days with technology and other advances such as 3D printing has allowed higher levels to be obtained. One advance has been in the use of 3D printing to make some of the most realistic figures ever seen. The use of computer technology has allowed us to overcome the 'scale' issue by just hitting a few keys on the keyboard and any scale can be achieved. One such cottage industry Andian Models has this technology and now have a great range of figures available. I have taken many photos of my NA's on the layout and when people keep asking is there any crew in the cab I can't keep saying "they are on the other side of the loco"😀. When we were able to have model railway exhibitions, I purchased a few figures at the Rosehill exhibition. The detail is outstanding, that good in larger figures you can look at the model and tell who it was modelled from.

Another loco figure complete with gladstone bag on his way home.

In modelling the Victorian narrow gauge in O scale I joined a Facebook group "Modelling the Victorian Narrow Gauge" It was my first venture into FB as I had resisted up until then. Unfortunately it is true the more groups you join the less modelling time you have. I suppose if FB are data trawling on me they will quickly come to the conclusion that I like trains, not much more to siphon off from me. So in this FB group I came across the name Ian Fainges who specialises in figure painting and I was even more surprised when he was linked to Andian Models for figure painting. I was able to contact him and he has been able to paint all of my figures so far. I haven't the skill to do to the same level, so I leave it to the experts. He has a quick return and although based in Queensland, borders are no issue for these small people crossing over between states.

A normal position for NA firemen, hanging out of the cab

In the photo above I have put an Andian figure hanging out of the cab, which replicates real life. It certainly brings more life to a trains appearance. This guy happens to be able to be wedged in the door without any glue. My only problem is while this can be staged for photos, when the train reverses they guy is looking backwards, maybe I can put a note on the work sheet to turn him around at the terminus so he is facing the direction of travel?

Station Masters are also available

Having a chat with the driver at Eden

Track workers pre safety vest etc days

 And the last word on figures is summed up in this Owen Thirtys pictoon where I discovered that having four NA locos, I would need at least 4 crew for the locos.

So add some figures to your layout, certainly brings life to the place.