Crew In The Cab Can Really Add Realism

Nice build!! where were the crew figures obtained??

Nice job on the conversion.   I add the crew figures to most of my stuff, it does really add to the appearance.

I did that with my MTH RK RS3. Makes a nice difference.

I agree.  It's a simple thing to do and I'm surprised more folks don't do this.

-Greg

Woodson posted:

Nice build!! where were the crew figures obtained??

Artista.  Google their website.

I recently watch the video of John Armstrong's O scale layout and he had an engineer whose head would turn to face the direction of travel.  The rotating motion was at a very realistic speed.  It was fun to watch.

Hot Water posted:

Woodson posted:

Nice build!! where were the crew figures obtained??

Artista.  Google their website.

Thanks!!

I just wanted to say this is Fantastic Modeling, and the Scenic effects are outstanding. Thanks for posting as this is very realistic and interesting. Are you near Tennessee? I want to see your layout. If I were to do this Hobby over, I would go for this weathering and realistic look. Happy Railroading  I have John Armstrongs video and the moving engineer is a crowd pleaser.....

Hot Water posted:

Woodson posted:

Nice build!! where were the crew figures obtained??

Artista.  Google their website.

MTH also sells engineer and fireman figures with a chairs - item 30-11064.

-Greg

Greg Houser posted:

MTH also sells engineer and fireman figures with a chairs - item 30-11064.

 

For steam engines, those figures look fine. They don't look as right for diesels, though.

MTH set is nice, but kind of high in price!

On steam engines especially, a crew is as important as a headlight, to me.

I have used Artistta and Woodland Scenics crew members. For my On30 ten-wheelers, the cabs are a very tight fit so they usually have to be cut in half at the waist to get them into the cab windows (as taking the cab off is an unholy nightmare) but you can't see the missing part of the body anyway.

Unfortunately, on Lionel scale steamers, at least the ones with Odyssey, its not an easy job. You have to cut off the die-cast tab that protrudes on the back of the seat - this tab inserts into their stock Weeble figures. To do that, you have to remove the cab. If anyone has figured out an easier way I'd like to learn it. I've done it to 5 Lionel scale steamers, 4 of which I sold during a divorce. It makes a huge difference to have realistic figures in the cab. I plan to do it to all my Legacy engines, some day. I guess the Legacy models have the same die-cast protrusion, but haven't verified.

Jim, great work on the Alco and an excellent video.