Animatible Figures

[jkerklo]

I have been looking for layout figures that have movable parts. I like action on the layout and have been wanting to do some simple animations, but haven't been able to find suitable figures.

Nothing complicated: head turns, arm waves, standup/sit down.

I am modelling in O-Gauge, but will want the figures a bit oversized. 1:43 or even 1:32. (After all the trouble of animation, I want them seen!

John Kerklo
TCA 94-38455
www.Three-Rail.com

[Big_Boy_4005]

Tricky business, I don't know of anyone that makes anything like that. I don't think the Choo Choo Barn in Strasburg PA has any that they have custom done with moving body parts.

Even the larger sized figures will require "micro surgery" to animate, and would still be easily missed by viewers. I'm afraid you are on your own. It would certainly be easier to move whole people.

[spankybird]

Hi John,

Here is some of the things that I have on my layout.



In the background, on the playground, the merry-go-round does go around, the tee-totters go up and down, and the kids on the swings do swing. Visitors have notice this with out pointing it out. In the park, the man tips his hat to the lady, and the dog lifts his leg on the tree. Sometimes this has to be pointed out to people. The people are all to scale of 1/48 (O gauge).




This is a hot dog stand. The man turns back and forth to get a hot dog. The vendor moves up to the counter to sell the hotdog. The dog runs around the fire hydrant. These are over size for O gauge. The man would be about 8 feet tall. (maybe he should play basket ball).




This hobo freight station has flickering lights inside, the pot belly stove and lantern. This is hard to see because you have to bend over and look in. This also has a smoke unit in it, so you see smoke from the stack.

These are all made by Lionel. Each is about $70.00. MTH and K-line both make some, which either cars or people are moving. These are over $100.00 each. K-line also makes a billboard where the worker is moving his brush up and down. This should be able to be noticed do to the size of the brush.

[Big_Boy_4005]

Way to go Spanky, You've got the picture thing now!!! Perfect usage too.[:D][:D][:D]

[Big_Boy_4005]

Photo by Spankybird


This is Lionel's latest version of the of the 128 animated news stand.

Spanky, does the customer's right arm still swing? On the news stand the paper boy was holding a newspaper, and it swung.

[spankybird]

Thanks Elliot,
And all on the first try.[:)] I have been work on the circus layout for the past two weeks. It's come a long way. I still have to complete the tent. We made it out of craft paper to make a pateren for my mother-in-law to sew one up out of cloth.If you haven't check out our web page lately, please do so.

tom

[spankybird]

I couldn't remember so I went down and check. Nope, it does not. But it is noise, more than I like.

[Big_Boy_4005]

I liked the basketball idea for this one.

Yao Ming!!

Put the post for the hoop where the fire hydrant is, change the dog's motion to a low profile arm and a shorter person with arms raised defending mounted to it.

The customer becomes the shooter, bring back the swinging arm and put the ball in it.

Remove the shack, and cover the motor with a bench, and have a chain link fence behind it.

Make the vendor a second defender, and place a couple of stationery figures to round out the scene.

Voila, Lionel's next version of this mechanism, "THE PICK UP GAME".

Sounds like they are still driving it with the old vibrating motor, maybe they think its nostalgic.

Spanky, you know that you can post the link to your page. Didn't you post it on that other topic?[:D]

[spankybird]

Hi Elloit,
I did take the bottom off ot this. It is driven by a motor and belts. Somewhere ther is a rubbing.

Do you mean a posting like this:

http://204.156.4.220/memberpages2/mth.asp?dude=spankybird

for the web site.

You can also click on the web icon at the bottom of my posting and it takes you there.

tom

[spankybird]

Hi John,
I was worndering if any of this info was what you were looking for.

tom

[Anonymous]

here is a website that was suggested in a previous question. Hope it helps
http://www.kramerproducts.com/

[jkerklo]

I have found the replies perfect.

I liked the pictures. Does everyone have that much animation? I wouldn't have thought animations that popular, but am pleased to see it so.

The point of the topic was that I wanted figures to do custom animations. While I do want to show them off on the layout I take to shows, it is mostly the doing that interests me.

With a computer background and the ability to easily program and use small microprocessors, I think I should be able to do some interesting things.

Along those lines, the Kramer reference may be the home run. I have e-mailed
him and will report results to this topic (or start another if it takes awhile.)

Thank you all, but don't hesitate to add replies too; I don't consider the topic closed.

John Kerklo
TCA 94-38455
www.Three-Rail.com

[Big_Boy_4005]

Cooker, that was a cool website. I had no idea that that existed, but now that I saw that, maybe the Choo Choo Barn does have that kind of stuff on their display. Its been a long time since I've been there.

---

John, the trick is mainly in creating the motion, not as much in controling it. Cams and cranks and motors and belts, combined with hinging and pinning the body parts, makes for a lot of work, but if that's what you enjoy, go for it!!! No real need to start a new topic later, just wake this one back up, and we'll all come running.

---

Tom, dummy me, I didn't notice your web icon on your post, sorry. I saw your track plan, that's cool. I mean its all cool but I thought the plan very interesting.

[Anonymous]

Dear Everyone,
What about modifying the existing mechanisms in a mass-produced action model?

Now that this has been brought up, I have a quandry of my own: I was thinking of having an O-gauge armstrong turntable with model people at the end looking like they were moving it. The problem, however, is that they would need to step over track. I wonder if some of this motion technology could do that.

See you around the forums,
Daniel

P.S. A bit of advice for jkerklo: if this is a passion of yours, don't switch to Z scale [:)].

[jkerklo]

For Big_Boy_4005

You are right about the tedium of cams, cranks, etc. It is my hope that a microprocessor can replace some of that. We will see.

For Daniel

How about building up around the track like it is recessed into a paved surface.

One of my memorable experiences was just after getting my learner's permit, on a street in a city near where I grew up. Some streets had train tracks in them, for trains, not just street cars. I stalled the engine at a light and an NW-2 right behind me laid on its horn. Amazing I still like trains.

Funny about the Z gauge. I have one I have thought of adding to the layout as a backyard train. Scale ratio is close.

John Kerklo
TCA 94-38455
www.Three-Rail.com

[Anonymous]

Dear jkerklo,
Thanks for the advice. I had the same idea about Z on my layout, but for a 1:8 scale railway.

Sincerely,
Daniel

[spankybird]

Hi John,

If you really want to build some of the some of these, Elliot is correct about needing small motors and pulleys. A good source of mechanical motion is using Erector Sets. This will give you the motor, pulleys, gears, and mounting hardware(best to mount under the table).

There is also a book called “Animations for your Layout” that cost $19.95. You can find this at O Gauge RR web store.

tom

[FJ and G]

Spankybird,

I saw the circus train on CSX tracks this morning on my way to work on the VRE. Unfortunately, no giraffe head sticking out of the car.
----------------------

John,

One of my predictions is that with micro technology, we will able to program little bionic men and women who will actually be able to walk, carry on conversations amongst themselves and with you, and even fix your broken down locomotives and do track repairs.

Mark my words.

Dave Vergun

[spankybird]

Hi Dave ,

My wife loves the circus train [:o)] , thus the small layout. I still have to build the tent from cloth. I should do a separate posting on that. So far I made it out of craft paper to make a pattern. [:)]



tom

[jkerklo]

An update.

I still haven't been able to contact the Kramer reference, but haven't given up.

Dave,

Do you mean a REAL circus train?

The bionic description you describe is sort of what I have in mind. I have a capability for programming small microprocessors interfaced to soleniods, motors, and stepping motors. The control capabilities should reduce the need for complicated linkages.

My vision is of subtle animations, mostly of people, that only the careful observer will notice.

John Kerklo
TCA 94-38455
www.Three-Rail.com

[FJ and G]

Spankybird,

I like what you've done with the layout.

John,

I was thinking along the lines of a small gyro to keep the figures upright and not looking punch-drunk; tho you could have a few of those. One would need to combine tiny watchlike gears and motors with tiny microprocessors or tie them remotely to a computer. The ultimate goal would to make them free-roaming, rather than guided by tracks or magnets.

I know this sounds pretty far-fetched but I see it in the cards. The military has, in fact, done research on these types of things; such as a butterfly thingy that can fly around.

I've done some investigating in this area and when I was an editor at Sea Power magazine, did a small article on these things:

http://www.navyleague.org/sea_power/jun_03_20.php

David Vergun

[jprampolla]

Hi John and Folks,

I really like animation on the layout, but it has been my experience that subtle movement is practically lost or missed by the viewer, especially as the eyesight changes after age 40. I know this is not actually what you want, and the concept is nothing new, but I have 4 different homemade animated scenes built on simple turntables on my layout that are very effective considering how easy they are to make and how simple the idea.
http://yourpage.blazenet.net/jprampolla/mowing.html
http://yourpage.blazenet.net/jprampolla/tricycle.html
http://yourpage.blazenet.net/jprampolla/animals.html
http://yourpage.blazenet.net/jprampolla/Rinks.html
The beauty of it all is that these turntable animations are maintenance free with no fussy little moving parts. There is a lot of merit to keeping things simple, and the visual impact is very strong despite the simplicity. It is a lot like theater where broad exaggerated movement is more noticeable than subtle motion. Hope this helps!

Take care, Joe.

[jkerklo]

Joe,

VERY NICE!

I like your approach. Simple, yet appealing to the visitor.

What scale are you modelling. The 12" skating rink suggests larger than 1:48.

Where do you get your figures?


John Kerklo
TCA 94-38455
www.Three-Rail.com

[cnw1995]

Oh boy, Joe, your layout is great. It gives me some wonderful ideas. I especially liked how simple you made things.

[Anonymous]

John, I know some of the english cast metal figures I have seen at York and other train shows have some separate arms that can be glued into various positions. Unfortunately I don't have a name for you. I have one such figure.

Another thing to try with plastic figures is to cut off the part with a single edges razor plade and add a pin and socket to the two pieces. Best way to do this might be to start with two figures. This shouldn't be too hard and would work for head turning, and arm lifting and other simple movements.

[jprampolla]

Hi John, cnw1995, and Folks,
Thanks for the feedback! The skaters on the rink are from my boyhood and they are close to G scale. The were purchased at a Five and Dime in Baltimore back in the late 50s and early 60s for about 19 cents each, one or two new figures bought each year at Christmas. The lead figures fractured easily when they were accidentally dropped on the concrete basement floor, so only what you see survived. The little girl on the tricycle is O scale by Arttista (www.Arttista.com), and the mowing guy was a K-Line (or Plasticville, perhaps) milkman, also O scale. I also have some more complicated scenes, like this one http://yourpage.blazenet.net/jprampolla/splash.html http://yourpage.blazenet.net/jprampolla/splash2.html done with Fisher Price Elephants. I enjoy the animation as much as the trains!
Take care, Joe.

[jkerklo]

willrothfuss,

That is sort of where I am at now. I was hoping to find a vendor that specialized in animatible figures to make the figures part easier, so I could concentrate on the mechanisms and control. While I want to start with something simple, I would soon long for more complicated motions. I am more technical, than art.

I have also thought of embedding a magnet in the figure, and using an electromagnet to activate. Tricky getting the forces just right.

I may start experimenting soon. Press of business. No time to play. Waste too much time on forums and other interesting stuff.

John Kerklo
TCA 94-38455
www.Three-Rail.com

[spankybird]

Hi all,

This place was posted before as a good place to pick up turn tables. Looks like it would be a great fit.

http://www.sportcraftcars.com/display_turntables.htm

Joe, I love what you have done here. [8D]

tom

[FJ and G]

Very nice, Joe!

What great ideas.

[jprampolla]

Hi Folks,
I very much appreciate the good feedback, but it was my visit to “Roadside America” http://www.roadsideamericainc.com in Shartlesville, PA, back in the early 1960s when I was a kid, that inspired me to work with the turntables. They had a square dance scene, done on a turntable in a barn, that suck in my mind ever since. They had music playing with the scene which really helped to set the mood. Although I have not yet added sound effects, the sounds add a lot. But it is not easy to hear much of anything else when the trains are running![:D]
Take care, Joe.