(10/21 update - moot point) keeping it toy-like???

the first point about modifying a reissue tinplate, anything tastefully done will likely only add to the value.  no modern tinplate will ever rival prewar models in value, so go ahead and experiment.

as much as i like to see passengers in scale and scale-like models, with tinplate, painted plastic people would look out of place to me.  two suggestions i think would be appropriate...

1) the Dorfan 'torsos-on-a-stick' (i hope someone has a good example to post, i don't).

2) it would be nice if someone would come out with cast metal seated passengers in the Barkley/ Manoil tradition.

The beauty of tinplate--beside the beauty of the trains themselves--is that anything goes!  There are no rules, restrictions, standards, or anything else to worry about.  These are toy trains in their purest form, and they are meant to be played with in whatever way their owners prefer.  It could not be more simple than that!

I reflect everyone's comments above Do what makes you happy. "Refer to the other thread about passengers"  I have even added LED lighting to some of my repro tinplate and I love it!

Walt,

Good question!  I'm working on the plans for my soon-to-be-built tinplate layout (4.5' x 10.5', a figure 8 inside a loop with an upper level loop.)  Grey carpet with SuperSnap track and switches seem to suggest tinplate to me.

My issue is trolleys.  I want all tinplate on the layout, but MTH/Lionel doesn't do tinplate trolleys.  Not sure why, seems like there would be a market - they do have 'em in STD gauge, just not in "O".

I understand the do-what-you-want approach, but I think I lean toward "if it's tin, it's all tin" idea.

Enjoying your commentary on your travels into the world of tin.  I'm running on a parallel track,

Ed

Marx made the #200 Rapid Transit trolley...

but unfortunately all versions are clockwork (pretty poor 1st generation clockwork to boot) and are also in the, hard-to-justify-modifying category not being that common.

I populated the interior of my Lionel Standard Gauge Hiawatha with 1/32 passengers made for G gauge by USA Trains. The people are very popular with spectators at our toy train museum. When I run the Hiawatha I stop it every now and then to open up the roofs and show off the interiors. The little boys, being little boys, tend to focus on the toilets. 

Of course, the Hiawatha is a semi-scale item - but the interiors are basically copied from State cars. When you think about it, the State cars and the 381E were semi-scale items, by the standards of 1930's tinplate. I think J.L. Cowen would have been quite happy to see kids (or adults) putting toy people in his toy trains. 

I agree on both points:

1.  O gauge tinplate trolleys (I personally would want something a bit better than the several Bowser models I have) would likely sell well.  Brills, Birneys, etc.

2.  I also like to go the "all tin" route, and my small tinplate layout is, indeed, all tin (except for the trees).

Like it has been already stated, there are no rules with tinplate, but if you want to stick with what has been done in the past, then yes some tinplate had passengers.  Dorfan had passengers in their cars and they looked great.  Also, I believe some the litho tinplate cars depicted passengers as well, so you certainly wouldn't be breaking any rules and/or traditions by using passengers.

Just remember to have fun,
John.

As much as I love and appreciate the very toy look of US tinplate, I also love the "realistic" look of the European and UK products, such as Darstaed, Bassett Lowke, ETS etc. Walt, another really nice layout look, is to make the scenery as realistic as possible and run tinplate trains. There are endless possibilities, and nothing is "wrong".

Remember, this is your hobby. Make of it what you want, and if I may suggest, be your own guide. Don't ask others for their opinions on how or what you should collect. Your opinion is just as important, and correct, if not more so, than any contributor here. And that's because it's your trains, your layout. Beyond that, it's just personal preference of other people.

Now, I think most people here would advise against gluing things to the train interiors, etc, or something that would cause irreparable damage, but that is just a warning, and if that type of action doesn't bother you, then you should do as you like.

There is no right and wrong here. Only the hobbyist's vision. Some guys like highly detailed layouts, some guys don't run their trains, and some have temporary holiday layouts. Really, it's up to you and what makes you happy.

The best advice I can give is to talk to people that have the same interest. It sounds as if you are a modern tinplate collector, and there are many on this forum. Find a friend and mentor that has been in the aspect of the hobby that you are drawn to. A good mentor can help you in many ways, advise you, and educate you on your interests, however, they also understand that people grow into the hobby differently, and allow you to do that by developing your own opinions.

Walt, I'm all for populating my tinplate passenger cars..., and caboose, and loocos...

I think it looks plenty toy-like!

Nice job hojack!

Walt, I would tend to agree with John - it's been done, so figures wouldn't be out of place.  Hojack's whimsical figures look fine, don't they?

hojack.  Some gouges tinplate there! The people on board look great!

Hojack,

What is this?

Looks interesting!

Ed

I've got some prewar tinplate, but just for the Christmas tree. As somebody else sugested I'd use 1/32 figures. Especially any that didn't look real. If you catch my drift. By larger than scale it keeps with the toy like appearance. Even the post war lionel accessories, ie: crossing gates are so large and out of scale they have that toy look. Pre war crossing lights have poles that would be about 2' in diameter. I even have some Looney toons figures that are about 1/32 height, human height that is, (who knows how tall a cartoon duck or rabbit really is), for the christmas tree layout this year.

Ed, McCoy standard gauge trolley with 1:24 figures.

McCoy begs to be populated, especially the open trolleys:

Dlo, is this what you have in mind?

When my grand-niece first saw the Girl's Train, she said, "Why aren't there any girls on it?"  Kids are awfully perceptive, aren't they?

(She's the same one, when shown the Pocahontas set, who said, "Where's Pocahontas?"    ummm... Good question.)

So we had to fix that.

I use rubber cement.  It's fine on the tinplate enamel, when you want to remove them it just rubs off.

 Walt, I don't think anyone could accuse this as looking too realistic!

I loved reading the responses.  Thank you!

I realize that "it's my railroad and I can do whatever I want".  BUT.....  I want that traditional tin-plate look, you know?  Thus my question here.

When I looked at the first picture in this thread showing people in a car, posted by John Clifford, my reaction was to think "No, I don't like that look in tin-plate".

But at seeing others, especially those by hojack, the BIGGER and sorta humorous figures is a look that I like.  Thanks to both people for posting images.  it helps a lot.

I am convinced now that I can't make a decision on people until I have the cars in my possession, and probably not until I run them on my Christmas layout for a week or so and think about what to do.

But I really like the images hojack posted!!!!

It might matter that I will be buying regular 'O' tin-plate and not standard gauge.  I will also be avoiding the bigger 'O' stuff.  I also will have to remember to state that I am buying NEW tin-plate by LTC, or is it LCT?, not older stuff.

As always, thanks for contributing.

- walt

Just for the heck of it, here are some images on my 'O' passenger train cars which I populated:

- walt

This is the kinda thing I was talking about. These are Micro Icons. I've seen a few used on regular O gauge layouts, and I have the bikers, and punks, and an Italian mob kind of set, (I forget the name). They are closer to 1/32 scale, and although they have the details look a little caricature like to me. In keeping with the toy look. And if you get any military trains, don't overlook the obvious, green army men.

And Lemax may have some useable ones. Although they may be closer to 1/25th or so. I've picked up a few on close out after christmas sales for the use the next year.

I use a variety of classic and modern figures on my SGMA modules and inside my Standard Gauge Trains.  For example, you can see this "City Fire Dep't" scene with "firefighters" on the SGMA layout at Trainfest in Milwaukee this coming November 9-10.  IMHO it's the Just Plain Folks firefighters, which make this scene come alive as they work perfectly with the 1940's pressed-steel toy fire trucks by Marx and the toy tin barn by Little-John that I turned into a fire house with the addition of a reproduction 1930's Steelcraft toy fire engine decal.

Bob

Hojack

Where did you get the flappers on the platform of the pink Lionel Limited observation car? Those are fantastic!

Very nice pictures!

'People' on the trains and in the scene definitely make the difference! I have to remember this.

My son loves to populate my tinplate with his vast collection of Lego men.  They are the perfect size for standard gauge.  He has had my gondola car jammed with the best of his elite starwars army.  The # 10E handrails fit the men's hands wonderfuly.  So there are always a few on the cab someware.    My # 384 Blue Comet has guys trapped in the cars constantly .  I remove the roof's to rescue them. I feel they are toys and can still be played with as long as he is not to rough with them.  

Glenn

Like Glenn's son, my son also likes to populate our trains and tinplate buildings with his lego minifigures.  Although not traditional or even tinplate it adds to the fun for both of us which is all that really matters. 

John.

I don't see me using Lego figures, especially since I have 'O'.

Can't wait open the 4-car box that I just picked up at York!!!

- walt

Walt

Looking forward to you opening and sharing it with us. I am sure you will be pleased with your decision.

Walt...

I like the fact that in "tinplate", it doesn't have to be...u-hum..."correct"! I say do it and enjoy yer trains. Other's on here enjoy seeing them!!!

Rick.

Well, it's all a moot point now that I have the cars in my hands.

There are NO SEATS.  I might be able to fabricate something but I'm not going to do that.  NO SEATS = NO PEOPLE.

Thanks for all of the comments and pictures.

- walt