Large scale Polar Express question

Mechanical and hand operated.  The figure is basically mounted on a double sided roof and is hinged.

Madman: I've considered doing the same thing with the 0 gauge version. I think using the double solenoid and rack & gear from a junk 027 turnout inside the roof, actuated by a 2 position mechanical e-unit would work, and mounting a sliding shoe pick-up to a truck for power. As to the Large Scale version, being that it's battery powered and on plastic track you'd have to go mechanical. Something along the lines of the truck axle gear drive from the old Sheriff & Outlaw stock car or the Cop & Hobo gondola to rotate the figure as it rolls along. Just brainstorming here. Simpler still would be an axle extending through the center of the figure/roof with a wheel on the side of the car that would spin the roof section 180 degrees each time you passed a trackside trip, but getting it to stop after it flips over would be the challenge - maybe a geneva-type gear instead of a wheel - hmmm, good question. Hope some of this helps.

You have some interesting ideas there Art.  In my Lionel days it would have been simpler.  But with two rail, in the garden it's more challenging but fun.  It would be a simple matter to control the rooftop figure remotely with a small transmitter and receiver, but I would rather have the action perform on it's own.  I'm not into DCC and I run my trains on battery power.  So basically everything is analog.  I like to keep things simple.  You know, like electricians.  All they need to know is white to white, black to black and payday is on Friday.