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I've been trying to find a source for modern day 80's, 90's, 2000's Railroad figures that would ride on a train (i.e engineer, flagman, brakeman, conductor (for freight operations).

All I can find are either track workers or construction workers or the typical railroad figures in bib overalls which I do not believe are relevant any longer.

For this project I would like high quality figures.  I typically scroff at the $5-$10 figures, but on this project, quality is needed.

I can not remember the company that does scans of real people and makes figures of them.  Can someone remind me of that company?

Thanks.

Ron

Last edited by Ron045
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Those Modelu figures are absolutely unbelievable.  I have never seen anything like them.

Very strange to me that all of their dozens of figures are English folks in English uniforms or dress.   I would think that the market for figures of this extreme detail would be much larger in the U.S. than in England.  Since they make their figures by just taking a 3D scan of actual people in costumes, and then "printing" the figures on a 3D printer,  I am really really surprised that they don't do a series of American figures in American outfits.

Mannyrock

I was in the Strasburg Train Shop yesterday looking for Engineer and Fireman for my Aerotrain.   These would be mid 50s, so I just used an Arttista classic Steam Engineer.   I may paint out his bandana.  I found these more modern figures on Arttista's web site:

The first 3 are

1551Engineer with remote controlPrice List
1552Brakeman with radioPrice List
1553Brakeman riding

Arttista's seated figures are all steam era:

Pete (Norton) posted about these MTH seated figures that come with the seat.  You know better than me about how to order them.

I'm curious.   What is the "uniform" for early diesel and for modern diesel engineers/brakeman/etc?  Just generic working man's outdoor clothes?  Comments anyone?

Bob

Last edited by RRDOC
@Bob "O" posted:

Ron,

I just got some figures from this British company. These are 3-D printed from scans of real people. They will even scan you and print a resin figure of yourself in whatever scale you want. So, if ever visiting England.....

Exquisite detail and realism. Check out their "Town and Country series, 1998-present day."

https://www.modelu3d.co.uk/

These are unpainted.

Bob

Holy Cannoli Bob!  Stunning!

  I am really really surprised that they don't do a series of American figures in American outfits.



Mannyrock,

I just saw this notice on the Modelu website. See last bullet. They must have heard you!

Coming Soon

With an end to lock down in sight we are getting excited about finally being able to scan for new products.  In the meantime, we've a number of projects which just need a final push to get them released.  These include:
  • Implementing feedback from the Sugg's lamp development
  • Producing fold-up glazing for new platform lamp  range
  • Launching BR/LMS Point Rodding components including cranks, compensators and FPL's (thanks to John Chivers for the artwork)
  • New 1960s/1970s diesel drivers and second men
  • New figure packs for Modern era passengers, Workmen and more
  • Ability to create a custom crew pack for wider variation
  • US/Canadian variants of railway related figures with adapted headwear

Since I have an Elegoo Mars 3D printer and have done several hundred prints to feed my model railroad habit, I'm going to attempt to do some of the animal prints. I'm looking for 3D print files of figures that I can use. I can't support $15 a pop every time I want to populate and area and I don't want to use Preisser 1:43 figures since they're a bit oversized. I just finished printing some park benches for my Heritage Pocket Park project. It was printed in 3 parts: sides and slats. In the middle my printer broke down and I had to do a repair. I've subscribed to Miniprints.ca. They have some interesting models.

Heritage Park Benches Placed 2

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  • Heritage Park Benches Placed 2

Preiser was mentioned above...they have a very detailed "conductor" and dining car staff attendants.  Preiser figures have sharp detail, although the choices in 1/43, 1/45, and 1/50th are limited with much fewer than their HO selection.  Compared to other figures available for "O" these days, their prices don't seem too high anymore in the 6 to $7 range...typically sold in a pack of 4, 5, or 6 depending on the theme...



Dealer 7

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  • Dealer 7
Last edited by Capetrainman

I just received an email from Miniprints that my rail workers have shipped.  They already warned me in the email it could be weeks before I receive my package due to COVID and postal delays.

Good thing my Engine and Caboose project are not finished yet.

Thanks for all the ideas!   I typically use the 100 for $10 that Craftech mentioned, but I'm doing this special project and really want some nice looking figures to go with it.

Ron

Well, just today I received an e-mail from "Oscaleyardsale" offering to sell 1:48 scale figures, but I'm not sure they will meet your needs.  Thought I would provide the info anyway:

High Quality O Scale Figures Available from jimhopes@csscenter.com

These figures are custom 3-D printed in 1:48 scale.  Each figure is loaded with detail and will enhance your layout or diorama in a substantial way.  So many great model railroad photos look real until you see the figures.  If you care about quality and scale, these figures are for you.  The figures are sold unpainted but I have included a photo here of the painted figure so you can see the potential.  I will have other figures in 1:48 soon.  Each figure is $12.50 or you can buy all three for $29.50.  Shipping via USPS is extra.
If you have interest or any questions let me know.  I can send you a Pay Pal invoice.
Hope this helps somebody.
ChuckMan in Crouched PositionMan with BroomMan with Sledgehammer

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Well the new uniforms arrived for two of the four workers.  Somehow overnight the brim on one hat either fell off or disintegrated, so I made one out of styrene.

Thank You Boilermaker1, Will and Bob "O" for your thoughts on Miniprints.

Also, even though he didn't know it, thank you to SIRT for his tips from Jan 2019 on how to paint figures.  I followed these steps exactly.

1.Spray all of them flat black.

2.Paint acrylics on flesh areas first.

3.Paint everything else.

4.Dry brush clothes over raised areas to highlight

5..Dust overall with brown powder

6.Spray Dull Cote

I had some extra HO Chessie decals I used for the hats and vests.  I'm working on a custom Chessie caboose and these figures will be special for that car.  The caboose in the picture in different.  I hope to have the special caboose finished this weekend.

2 down and 2 to go.

Have Fun!

Ron

New Brim ManBoth MenVest

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@Ron045 posted:
Also, even though he didn't know it, thank you to SIRT for his tips from Jan 2019 on how to paint figures.  I followed these steps exactly.

1.Spray all of them flat black.

2.Paint acrylics on flesh areas first.

3.Paint everything else.

4.Dry brush clothes over raised areas to highlight

5..Dust overall with brown powder

6.Spray Dull Cote

Ron

They look great Ron.

Q:  Why black primer instead of say light gray?

John

@Mannyrock posted:

Fantastic Ron,

What is dry brushing please?

Mannyrock

You take a paintbrush, dip in in paint and then wipe off most of the paint on the brush onto a paper towel.  Then with the "dry brush" paint over the figure.  What little paint does remain on the brush catches the high points, grooves and ripples. 

In the pic below I painted the jeans blue and then dry brushed with white to achieve the worn denim effect.

The powder has a similar effect.  Look at the details on the vest as a result of the powder finding all of the cracks and crevasses. 

xfer Cab 2 MP

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  • xfer Cab 2 MP

I was finally able to get "uniforms" for my other two figures.  I did not want 4 clones, so I made subtle differences.

One obvious is the orange vest vs. the yellow vest.

But the other was the blue jeans.  For the first guys I used a dark blue and dry brushed white.  On the "Orange" guys I used a light baby blue and dry brushed with the dark blue.  I think I like those jeans better.

This was fun to do.  Not sure I'd want to paint 100 of these.  But a few here or there would be nice.

Ron

MP OV Both MenMP OV Hang 2MP OV Hang 3MP OV Obsv 1

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  • MP OV Both Men 2
  • MP OV Both Men
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  • MP OV Hang 3
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  • MP OV Obsv 2

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