How to add passenger figures to MTH Rail King 027 Madison Cars (30-6210 through 30-6213)

Are the floors held in place with screws like the other MTH cars? If so, just unscrew and drop the floors out to access the interiors. I don't think the roofs come off on MTH cars. Show us your work!

I bought figures off Amazon and had to cut their legs off from the shin or knee down to get them to fit. Turned out great. !

I regret not painting the floor to look like a carpet

I added Gunnar John's LED regulator which was awesome!

I added figures from MTH. I don’t think it was difficult, just a matter of removing some screws on the bottom.

@BobbyD posted:

I don't think the roofs come off on MTH cars. Show us your work!

They do.  Remove the screws from each end of the car and when you go to pull the roof off twist each side in the opposite direction.  It will take a bit of force but they do pop off.

-Greg

Agree with last three posts. That’s how I Did mine.

@Greg Houser posted:

They do.  Remove the screws from each end of the car and when you go to pull the roof off twist each side in the opposite direction.  It will take a bit of force but they do pop off.

More like they fly off at times!   I suggest to anyone taking the RK cars apart to do this operation over a bench or table so the roof doesn't go too far, I've launched them a few feet at times!

What’s the best product to use to glue the passengers in?

Thanks everybody - I was approaching it the wrong way.  Now looking forward to the glue recommendations, I recall something in a tube would hold, but could peel off at a later date.  Painting the floors is an awesome idea.  Thanks to all!

Here is one of mine waiting for people. I have already installed John’s regulator and an led strip. I use Woodland Scenics Scenic Accents Glue. Two screws on each end removed from the bottom.

Added finished car picture.

Just be aware that the screw 'locations' (to remove the roof) sometimes vary - depending on the 'type' of car. In one case I experienced I thought I had the right screw, but after removing it the roof still didn't want to come off despite my pulling and turning. Consequently I concluded that there must be another screw and, eventually - after turning the truck, I found it beneath. Incidentally, in my particular case the correct screw fit into one of the columns or pillars that I could see 'within' the car but again, it can vary from car to car.

The bottom line is it's not rocket science, just be patient and you'll figure it out.

One other thing I forgot to mention.

I read somewhere in a previous Post awhile ago that when dealing with O gauge cars, using S gauge size figures can reduce or eliminate the need to trim the legs of O gauge passengers.

Good luck!

Right on concerning the figures.
From China on the left, K-Line and Lionel on the right.

@Greg Houser posted:

They do.  Remove the screws from each end of the car and when you go to pull the roof off twist each side in the opposite direction.  It will take a bit of force but they do pop off.

-Greg

Never had the chance to work on a RailKing Passenger car, didn't realize the roof came off instead of the floor like on Premier ones. Anyone have insight on why they made them different? I like the RailKing squared off Obs.

@PH1975 posted:

One other thing I forgot to mention.

I read somewhere in a previous Post awhile ago that when dealing with O gauge cars, using S gauge size figures can reduce or eliminate the need to trim the legs of O gauge passengers.

Good luck!

The trick is finding S-gauge sized passengers, they're scarce as hen's teeth!

@Mark V. Spadaro posted:

What’s the best product to use to glue the passengers in?

@Chuck242 posted:

...Now looking forward to the glue recommendations, I recall something in a tube would hold, but could peel off at a later date.

I've used clear acrylic latex window & door sealant/caulking from the hardware store with great results.  A small blob on a scrap-piece of cardboard goes a long way when you apply a "dab" w/ a toothpick to each figure (either sitting or standing) and place into the desired location.  The acrylic cures in a relatively short time and stays flexible, does not dry-out and deteriorate like some super glues.  Lastly, the stuff is removable; you can later pull out the figures and easily rub off any acrylic remnants.

@John H posted:

Right on concerning the figures.
From China on the left, K-Line and Lionel on the right.

The size of the two small Chinese figures sitting on the bench is the only size that can be considered for use in everything up to (and maybe including) 18" passenger cars, in my experience. I'd like to know if there are any other manufacturers that make figures of the size that come with the Lionel 15" passenger cars that are factory-equipped with figures.

John's right about S gauge figures being rare as hen's teeth. I don't know who makes them, but I haven't been able to find any.

The Lionel 21" passenger car figures are close.  The only problem with those is that on the batches I've purchased the paint never dried and they are permanently sticky.   If they improved the paint quality, I'd be more likely to recommend them.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

The Lionel 21" passenger car figures are close.  The only problem with those is that on the batches I've purchased the paint never dried and they are permanently sticky.   If they improved the paint quality, I'd be more likely to recommend them.

John, you mean close to the small Chinese figures in the foregoing picture? If so, where do you buy batches of those? I wonder if it would work to spray them with dullcote or something similar to put a coating on them so they're not sticky.

@Chuck242 posted:

Now looking forward to the glue recommendations, I recall something in a tube would hold, but could peel off at a later date.

Try a small dab of Shoe Goo...clear, remains flexible, holds well.  Walthers Goo is somewhat similar, but not clear in color.

I've had mixed-to-poor results using plastic weld-type glues.  Problems seem to arise if the cars are put back into storage, moved around a bit from time to time.   Never sure of welding compatibilities of some plastics, which solution is appropriate, etc.,etc..

BTW, be sure to wear ear protection when cutting feet and legs from passengers!!  The O scale screaming is worse than a poorly oiled wheel bearing!!...

BREEZINUP - I got my last batch of S Gauge (Chinese) figures in December and I just googled something like 'S gauge model train figures' or something to that effect and several hits came up. Most of them were O gauge but there were a couple S gauge choices at that time which were listed at very reasonable 'Buy It Now' prices on the big 'e' auction site so I bought them.  When they arrived the packaging was labelled 'Evenmodel - Model Train Accessories'.

@PH1975 posted:

BREEZINUP - I got my last batch of S Gauge (Chinese) figures in December and I just googled something like 'S gauge model train figures' or something to that effect and several hits came up. Most of them were O gauge but there were a couple S gauge choices at that time which were listed at very reasonable 'Buy It Now' prices on the big 'e' auction site so I bought them.  When they arrived the packaging was labelled 'Evenmodel - Model Train Accessories'.

Thanks. I didn't see anything there at this time, but will keep checking.