HO Steam crews

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RhB Michael said:
Figures are one of the most expensive detail items there is for a layout. Preiser is even more expensive than WS. The expense comes from the hand painting each of these figures receives.
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Twenty five years ago, I began buying unpainted Preiser figures for about $18-$20 a pack. There were generally 120 figures in a pack. Probably bought 10 packs all together. I would set a few sprues by the workbench and every time I painted a structure or sometimes the figures themselves, I would paint a handful with the color that I was using. Maybe a dozen with blue jeans one day, a half dozen with brown pants or shirts the next, etc. A whole lot less expensive than buying the painted ones. Gradually I built up quite a population, although I still have about 200 left to do. I currently have over 1200 on the layout so far with needed figures in a few scenes still. The price was right at less than 20¢ per figure before painting. I believe that they are still available, but probably twice what I paid; still a bargain over painted ones. Gotta have an Optivisor and some fine-tipped pointed brushes for best results though.
 


santafewillie said:
Twenty five years ago, I began buying unpainted Preiser figures for about $18-$20 a pack. There were generally 120 figures in a pack. Probably bought 10 packs all together. I would set a few sprues by the workbench and every time I painted a structure or sometimes the figures themselves, I would paint a handful with the color that I was using. Maybe a dozen with blue jeans one day, a half dozen with brown pants or shirts the next, etc. A whole lot less expensive than buying the painted ones. Gradually I built up quite a population, although I still have about 200 left to do. I currently have over 1200 on the layout so far with needed figures in a few scenes still. The price was right at less than 20¢ per figure before painting. I believe that they are still available, but probably twice what I paid; still a bargain over painted ones. Gotta have an Optivisor and some fine-tipped pointed brushes for best results though.
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Yeah, that's what I'm looking for. Unpainted. I have taken my hand at a few, they are not prefect, but get the job done. I just can not seem to find engineers or workmen. There are some Chinese ones, but these are never that good...
 
Try Googling unpainted Preiser figures and see what comes up. Only problem is that they come in large sets. You may have to just pick out appropriate ones that may not be true engineers etc. The painting doesn't need to be perfect in all cases, especially if they are in the cabs of moving locomotives. Remember that most model RR stuff is viewed from 24" or so. What looks bad in a photo or under magnification doesn't always look bad on a layout.
 
santafewillie said:
Try Googling unpainted Preiser figures and see what comes up. Only problem is that they come in large sets. You may have to just pick out appropriate ones that may not be true engineers etc. The painting doesn't need to be perfect in all cases, especially if they are in the cabs of moving locomotives. Remember that most model RR stuff is viewed from 24" or so. What looks bad in a photo or under magnification doesn't always look bad on a layout.
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Thank you. You makes some very good points.
 
n&w coal said:
Closest train show for me is 450 mile round trip. How much is gas where you live?
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Yeah, Ok. Your 100% right. If you don't have a show or a train store local, then what I said does not help. Not to mention, I have not found too many ho scale figures at them anyway. Trust me, after going to the one I go to more then once (Almost always the same vendors) you wish there was others near by.

But the point still remains, It Is a great way to get into the hobby without burning your pockets. For the price of a Bachmann starter set, you could what's there and some. The only difference is you may have to put a little work into it. But that's half the fun!
 
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