I have a Blackstone K27. I want to add engineer figures to it. Has anyone done this? How did you do it. It runs so perfect I am afraid to separate the tender from the loco. Any advice?
I have done this last year for two of my Blackstones. A C-19 and a K-27. I attach images.
I reluctantly used the KATO series of engine-firemen for the C-19. I say this as they are pretty stupid looking. The engineer that I used had a hat that closely resembles a blue party balloon! NO one makes a suitable engineer figure currently, so we have to make do. The scale and realism of the engineer should match the $350.00 model. None do. To shoehorn my KATO guy into the cab, I had to amputate his entire lower torso, legs, etc., from above the belt line, down! I consider the C-19 effort merely OK, until something better comes along. I did not have to remove any thing to do this, just wedged him in and a drop of ACC under his arm on the window arm pad.
After much searching, I found a couple of identical old Weston figures that are the old time engineer. Campbell bought out Weston years ago and still has a fair offering. Apparently though, the old time engineer is lost or the dies destroyed as he is no longer available.
This wonderfully detailed and beautifully painted white metal figure was placed in my K-27 relatively easily once his legs were chopped off. Far less hassle and fitting than the KATO figure in the C-19.
Again, no dis-assembly needed on either engine. I did have to tear off the shade screens above the window, though. Small price to pay to have a person in the cab. I could probably now re-install them.
As the narrow gauge did a lot of slow running in territory where the trackage was marginal and rock falls, mudslides and the like were common, I prefer my NG engineers to be closely watching the track ahead with a lean out of the window. Looks good in switching tricks as well. Some stilted, cold frozen engineer figure in the cab is th' pits for me. He must look engaged.
Richard
C-19 the "8-ball" with balloon hatted KATO guy pulls into Nautrita.
K-27 "Mudhen" #456 below, with nice old walrus mustached engineer leaves roundhouse.
If I can't fix it, I can fix it so it can't be fixed
Here are a few pics of one of mine.
With tweezers, you should be able to put him in his seat by turning and twisting the tender a little. he's leaning over to reach out the window and wave, but looks OK to me.
From the fireman's side.
Nice angle on the wave very kid wants to get when the train rolls by.
I used a Woodland Scenics Set of Engineers, #1866.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Man I love that Blackstone C-19......
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/
I actually like the Kato guy better. His balloon style reminds me of a Kromer hat.
I suppose I'm biased, though. I usually wear a Kromer at work.
Jeff
Mike, At least you were able to save your sun shade by twisting your guy around a bit. unfortunately we can't see his face, but can see the wave.
What figure was that which you used?
Edit....OOPS didn't see your identifier on the woodland scenics set. Sorry.