Thursday, July 04, 2019

Loco crew for a Bachmann Baldwin

Chris Ford recently exploded on to Facebook with a complaint that he was struggling to find suitable figures for his 009 Bachmann Baldwin. It seems that the cab is a little on the low side, and that the first choice, a set of BRM people, were more than a bit tall. Worse, other figures also seemed a bit of a squeeze.

Now, Chris is a top chap. Excellent modeller and in possession of several top quality jackets, rather more "dandy highwayman" than my more sober tweed, but he doesn't own either a complete set of MRJ's or a complete set of MREmags from the era when I was the editor.

If he had, he'd know of the specially made Bantam figures from Ken Clark. These multi-part models are designed to be a bit shorter than most for use in old loco cabs with lower rooflines. People weren't as tall back then.

Facing the Bachmann Baldwin issue myself, I dug through my figure box and found a packet I'd bought at the time. Assembly, then a quick slosh of paint and they are a perfect fit in the loco.


3 comments:

Anonymous said...

MODELU do a figure that will fit as the driver of the Baldwin. It is 22mm tall = 5ft 6ins from soles of feet to top of peaked cap. It is item No 1801. I understand it is specifically intended for the Baldwin.

It is in military uniform - tunic buttoned to the throat, puttees or maybe knee boots - and styled "WDLR Driver" in the Royal Engineers section.

https://www.modelu3d.co.uk/product-category/finescale-figures/military/world-war-one/british-empire/re/page/2/

There are others in the military range that might be usable such as No 1807 "Sapper Leaning" in (rolled) shirt sleeves and braces.

Christopher Payne

James Finister said...

I do think those figures are a little too small, and not up to the standard of the loco. I've now remembered that whilst picking up some 5" track from the designer of the model I forgot to suggest they commission Modelu figures for all their OO9 range.

Duncan Young said...

Try Hardy's hobbies- brilliant figures