Figures in Coaches, DMUs etc

[Jonathan Clapp]

THere is a Canadian fellow called SamuelRidge who posts on nscale.org, he does magic with passengers and window shades in coaches http://s1111.photobucket.com/albums/h463/Puddingtonvalley/The%20Canadian%20Pacific%20Dominion/

[Kipper]

Surprised that no modelling wizard has come up with a film that can be fitted inside the windows, that will show passengers when running to timetable, and no passengers when in the depot. Should be fairly easy to switch the picture of the passengers on and off via DCC. Or have I just invented something that I have no idea how to make??? 

[EtchedPixels]

Model a 1950's branch line. Problem solved.

[Matthew-peter]

... On some of my coaches I even have a few blokes window hanging....

I have to admit, I like this idea very much, I may even try it myself too  , I imagine cutting the clear window could be a bit tricky the first time.

[Agrippa]

How about a horse box with a nag's head sticking out of it like dogs
who put their heads out of car windows....

[Chetcombe]

I'm one of those who likes putting people into my carriages, even if no-one can see them (including me sometimes and I know they are there!). Just knowing they are there allows me to distinguish between empty coaching stock and a 'real' train...

Having said that, one situation where you can see the figures is if you put lights in the coaches. Here is a pic of a Dapol Mk3, fitted with a light bar.



The figures are those really cheap ones from China that you can find on e-bay. Even with the light bar, I don't think it is necessary to splash out for anything more detailed. I also had to cut most of the little blighters legs off at the knee - a strange way to spend a Sunday afternoon I can tell you!

Mike

[Matthew-peter]

The figures are those really cheap ones from China that you can find on e-bay. Even with the light bar, I don't think it is necessary to splash out for anything more detailed. I also had to cut most of the little blighters legs off at the knee - a strange way to spend a Sunday afternoon I can tell you!

Its a definitely a good idea for a use for the cheap chinese ones, that way you can save the better ones (preiser,Noch and even graham farish) ones for the dioramas out in the open.

[scotsoft]

The figures are those really cheap ones from China that you can find on e-bay. Even with the light bar, I don't think it is necessary to splash out for anything more detailed. I also had to cut most of the little blighters legs off at the knee - a strange way to spend a Sunday afternoon I can tell you!

Its a definitely a good idea for a use for the cheap chinese ones, that way you can save the better ones (preiser,Noch and even graham farish) ones for the dioramas out in the open.

That is what I do as well, these are the cheap Chinese figures in one of my passenger excursion cars 


cheers John.

[agent9843]

I am interested in how many of you put figures in your models.   I have just put a few in one DMU after a lot of messing about and a scratch on the body whilst getting it off.  I'm not sure it is worth it in view of their visibility, or lack of it.   Is it worth the effort?  What do you think?

David

Good Question.  I have small trams with interior lighting... I wanted realism.  They have empty seats though.  I have had to take the tram shells off before and there are tiny pieces that threaten to snap and break.  So I am reluctant to try again.  Another factor is that the seats in the trams have no leg area but also the seats are out of scale IMO.  So looks like I''d have to cut the passengers off at the low waist line not at the knee line.  Now how real is that going to look?  And observers do look... that's the first thing my kids and wife did was to closely inspect the trams looking for passengers.  It's a dilemma alright!