I'd say most action figures might look better in a (larger) scale like 7/8ths (but that's just a guess). But like everyone else said: "Do what you want-it's your railroad." Look at the Dec. '09 GR magazine. The featured RR is based on Disney Land. Just goes to show you that there is no limit to what you can do.
StF: Have a browse back a few pages (months ago) one of the guys posted his web site where he has "rebuilt" Disneyland to scale. I’ve seen one layout where the owner had a "Civil War Reenactment Brigade" complete with modern dress spectators. One of the guys down in Texas (before a hurricane tore things up), had a WW2 airfield in his layout. Let each square yard of ground of your empire be it’s own page in the story of your empire.
Tom Trigg
Actually, gents, aside from just plain having fun and relaxing, which is what this is all about, I think there's something very interesting going on here. I'm thinking some of this is about finding a creative way of combining two hobbies or two interests, in a way.....
I was in one of the local hobby shops here two nights ago with a couple of my kids and I saw some Civil War figures in an exact 1:24 scale I use on my indoor g-scale railroad and I want to tell you they were freaking awesome, really awesome, in their incredible detailing and beautiful coloring and the expression on the characters, not to mention the quality of the horses, all much better than we get in our railroading hobby. Right away I'm thinking of somewhere on my layout where I could stage a small Civil War battle!
Then I got to thinking about this winter when I was up at Little Big Horn where Custer got smacked around and inside the visitors center is a little museum with some of the most beautiful dioramas (in about 1:12 scale I think) of Indian life and the battle itself, including some astonishingly effective scenicking landscaping and, again, some terrific individuality in the figures and horses.
Has anyone seen or know of a layout which combines historical events or military themes or maybe Harry Potter castles or fantasy figures, or whatever, with railroading?
The St. Francis Consolidated Railroad of the Colorado Rockies
Denver, Colorado
Like the others have said---use what you want--it is your railroad. Also if you have grandchildren they can't break a $30.00 Prieser figure if they play with the action figures. Hallmark had a Christmas ornament of Robbie the Robot from the 50's movie Forbidden Planet. It has several of its lines from the movie that it repeats. I plan on using it somewhere on the layout.
I guess my answer would be "action figure of yesteryear"
When I built my railroad four years ago (during the summer and fall) when Christmas time came around two of my grandchildren (then 12 and 13 years old) decided that as Grandad had an 'American' railway in his back yard (ten wheelers, J&S cars and ng freight cars) it was not complete without the legendary 'cowboys and Indians.
So, these characters plus a Wyatt Earp style Sheriff, were given as a present.
Alan, Oliver & North Fork Railroad
https://www.buckfast.org.uk/
If you don't know where you are going, any road will take you there. Lewis Carroll English author & recreational mathematician (1832 - 1898)
I've done a christmas display at a local store 4 of the past 5 years. Have used the grinch, cat in the hat, mario, peter pan, tigger, barney and others. They usually end up on a scavenger hunt. The kids love it. I use them as a tool. I want to envolve them with the display. My goal is to get family's to take a short break from shopping and make a christmas memory. My answer to the rivet counters is "prove to me that santa does not exist, and I can show you the grinch". BTW, haven't had the heart or the guts yet to string nemo up at a fishing dock. Bottom line - enjoy the hobby.
trainguy111 The only limitation is my imagination. I'll tell you guys a few things I plan to include on the layout.
The only limitation is my imagination.
I'll tell you guys a few things I plan to include on the layout.
OK: Quit talking about it and get outside and play in the dirt! By the way, we like looking at each others pictures. Have fun my friend.
You guys may be right. Its my layout. I can do whatever I please. The only limitation is my imagination.
By the way, I'll tell you guys a few things I plan to include on the layout.
Jazware's Sonic the Hedgehog 3 inch line
Jakks Pacific's Phineas and Ferb
WALL-E by Thinkway toys
Bob the Builder Friction vehicles made in the UK
Roary the Racing Car
Chevron cars.
I've never used action figures in my railroading hobby, but I have used them for building 1/6 scale (the size of G.I.Joe back when he joined the military's ranks) dioramas and other. Now, it depends on your layout. Like every one else said, It's Your Hobby! Do What You Want And HAVE FUN!
Now, if you have G.I. Joe come and work for your railroad (or comandeer your railroad, for the march to Berlin, if you perfer) then you are in luck. there's more and more G.I. Joe remake actionfigures (new recruits) and new and improved wepons and gear for them. You may have to do a little bit of searching.
Not to distract from the railroading aspect of this post, you can find some manufacturers (mostly overseas) that build 1/6 scale tanks.
I havn't started on it yet, but I plan to build a 1/6 scale railroad to have sort of a new way to show off my seccond hobby and try some skills with them. (no weathering on that 60's vintage Jeep, though)
There are some that look pretty good depending on what you are trying to do. If you look around there are cowboys, firemen, police, construction workers etc... There are also some "action" action figures that fit well too.
Model railroading is for fun. If it makes YOU happy and you are having fun doing it.
DO IT!
I've seen Power Rangers, Superman (or ?Supermen?) Smurfs, Disney Characters, Sponge Bob, and many others. Most were in small dioramas around the layout. I've seen Lego buildings as well. Above all else remember. This is your hobby, enjoy it any way you wish. If anyone is so shortsighted as to criticize the way you enjoy your hobby, well, that’s their problem. Here are a few pic’x of how others enjoy the hobby.
It is really all up to you, if you think action figures look good in your layout then it looks good. - Peter
Modeling the Bellefonte Central Railroad
Fan of the PRR
Garden Railway Enthusiast
Check out my Youtube Channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/PennsyModeler
Has anyone ever used acction figures on their G scale layouts?
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