Looking for people.

[Smoke Stack Lightnin']

Could anyone share where to buy decent quality figures that don't cost an arm and a leg?  Are they cheaper anywhere in quantity?  They do not have to be pose able, but already painted would be preferable.  I was particularly looking for railroad crews (US), lumber and mining workers.  Locally, I’ve seen some LGB figures that are obviously more suited for European railroads.  In the back pages of GR there are ads for unpainted cast and turn of the century.  It seems most figures go for about five dollars each.  Any web sites?

 

Thanks,

Rich F.  

[Anonymous]

http://www.hobbylinc.com/prods/uje_ALL.htm

http://www.hobbylinc.com/prods/uje.htm

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0093p?&C=UJE

I found these  from a search?....some are too expensive for me>

dan

[Anonymous]

http://hogtrainz.com/HOTAUGUST.htm

Found this place is having a sale.....not bad .....a little cheaper...

dan

 

[Smoke Stack Lightnin']

Thanks for the info.  I guess the fact they are hand painted drives the price.  I saw a documentary on Chinese factory workers painting figures, Christmas ornaments, and beads for Mardi Gras.  These women were pretty incredible at painting.  They work 10 hours, and the factory provides lunch, which looked like a soup line, then back to painting.  Wouldn't mind the price if those women actually got the lion share of the money!

Rich F.

[ttrigg]

For economy class people, check out Michael's, almost all year long in the Cake Decorating dept. for a full fielding for a baseball game, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, for a very abundant supply of people (in the range of $2.50~$5.00 USD per person or scene.)  Try Wal~Mart during Halloween ~ Christmas for additional people.  These people are reasonable proportional for 1:29, a little small for 1:22.5.  Hallmark stores also have some people in the 1:30 and 1:20 range during the Halloween ~ Christmas time.  Also have a look in Ross, (a department store specializing in dresses and shoes, but they also have a "decorations" section.  I just got home with a new purchase from there, a 40 ft. fishing trawler in 1:20 for $14.99. (VERY much like the last two months worth of "pull out" plans.)  Yes it is designed to put on a shelf in the house, but I plan on adding some lead to the keel, and SEVERAL layers of clear varnish to protect from the weather.  When I put it into the Koi pond I'll kick in a picture.

PS, all of the above listed people are for indoor use, after about four coats of clear varnish, they do well outside.

[Smoke Stack Lightnin']

It sounds like you got the Koi pond back together, which is good news after reading about your set back.  I'm sure the trawler will look great in the water.  Thanks for the tips.  I've got some figures that are smaller (LGB) and some that are larger (Bachmann).  The smaller are better detailed, but I like the larger, guess because my eyes aren't the greatest!

Will watch for the pics,

Rich F.

[piercedan]

There is a line of 'Homies' available  at Wal-mart, Kay-bee, and even Newberry Comics.
These are on the small side, but for a teenage look they are great and they even have girls kneeling, taggers, and a cop eating a donut on a motorcycle,  Many different style figures than LGB or Prieser.

[ttrigg]

Went by the local Michael's today and they have their Halloween/Christmas indoor table top decorations out.  Almost all of the buildings are way too small for "G"arden size, (probably fit better in "O" or "HO")  There was one set, a carnival ticket booth with four clowns, at an almost appropriate size for the "G"arden, for $20.  The raccoons on a trash can, and other such "mini scenes are all back on the shelf.  They are NOT meant for outdoor use, but I've had no problem with the ones that I used mass quantities of Rust-Olieum Satin Crystal Clear, and they have been out side for over a year now.

[FJ and G]

I just started a new scale: 1:13.7. Where can I get figures for that (or 1:12 would be OK).

I realize I can use small figures away from the tracks (forced perspective), but will be needing at least an engineer and track workers, etc.

[Rene Schweitzer]

Busy Bodies in the UK sells 1:13.7 figures:
www.robbennett.org

Carlo Spirito sells them as well: spirito.biz