Seeking O gauge figures - marching band, town square band

[Northwoods Flyer]

I am looking for an o gauge compatible marching band and a band to use in a town square gazebo.

I have been thinking of doing a holiday parade on the Blueboard Central Division of American Flyer Lines.

The parade route will most likely follow this street.

Or this one.

The small band will go in this gazebo or a winter themed one that replaces it once the Winter Carnival begins

I have been doing some searches on ebay, and through Google.  I've come across military bands by Britans and other firms, but I'm not entirely sure if they will be compatible with O gauge. I am probably not using the right parameters for my search.

I'd appreciate any suggestions for manufacturers (I wish Woodland Scenics made one).  I ran across a marching band at Michaels last weekend but it looks like it would be more appropriate for Standard gauge.

I seem to remember that fifedog has a parade scene on his pike and has posted photos of it, but I can't seem to find it.  And even though the first photo does have flamingos in it I have no intention of dressing them up in uniforms or leiderhosen to get the desired effect.

Thanks folks,

Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby

Northwoods Flyer

[dougdagrump]

Gregg,

I'll take a look to see if I still have the guys info, I bought this Marine Corp Band from him on E-Bay. Not really what I would consider cheap but still less than I thought they would cost.

[fifedog]

I use a combination of Britains and Frontline Figures.

This was one of my first SPF's:

I suggest you check out www.hobbybunker.com .

[Boyd]

You forgot a hobo, beggar, hooker and of course Gumby.

[Northwoods Flyer]

Thanks for the responses and the photos doug and fife.  Something like the Marine band is what I was looking for to put in the town square.  And fife, that is the photo that I remember; its the inspiration for putting together a parade here on the BlueBoard.

I have to warn folks about that hobbybunker place though.  I spent way too much time looking at what is available in figures.  Its a good thing I didn't discover "toy soldiers" before I was infected with train pox or I would have display cases of figures on display instead of trains.  Being a newbie in the area though I was wondering which of the figures are in the O gauge/scale range.  It looks as if most of them are a bit oversized.  Are the Britains and Frontline figures 1/32 scale?

I'll be doing some serious browsing.  There are an amazing number of marching bands available from all eras.  I've wondered about doing a Civil War reenactment somewhere in a corner of the railroad with a band marching downtown. 

Thanks again guys,

Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby

Northwoods Flyer

[fifedog]

Good to know I've inspired someone. Thanks.  What inspired me on that scene was the Veterans Day parade in Keyser, WV.  Wifey and I were in town on that day, and thought to check it out, I mean, "How long can it be...?"  Well, they went all out, between the local fire depts, guard units, cub scouts, etc...  I knew that I wanted to recreate that atmosphere on my layout.  I don't leave them up 365, but bring them all out on special occasions.

Getting to the different sizes of the soldiers.  Traditional Britains (glossy finish) come in 54mm, and are pretty close to O-scale.  They just look right.  However, the newer offerings by Britains and Frontline Figures say they are 54mm, but believe me, they are a little bigger and "beefier" than the traditional line.  I simply use them up front, and file the traditional soldiers in behind them.  Kinda works with the forced perspective line of thinking.

The Clydes hitch is from ERTL.  I had the pleasure of working a local parade with them, and had to have it.  It's actually a bank.

[LittleTommy]

Try this site http://www.metalfigures.net/

In particular look at figures 156, 157, 158, 159, 159A & 159B and 387, 388, 389, 390, 391, 392, & 393 for the Town Square Band.

Little Tommy

[Northwoods Flyer]

Little Tommy,

Thanks!  What a great site.  I had no idea there were this many figures available in an O gauge compatible size.  Have you ever purchased any of them?  Do you like their quality?  They actually have the look of vintage figures and some of them even look like scaled down versions of Barclay figures.  I wonder if this is where Jim -Sturgeon-Phish has gotten some of his figures.

I have spent some time making a list of the ones that caught my eye. Between the site fife recommended and this one I have a feeling I know where a good portion of my train budget will be going.

The hard part will be keeping the selections to a realistic number.

Thanks again!

Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby

Northwoods Flyer