In the Spring 2025 issue of Classic Toy Trains, there was an article about figures for O gauge, which ended by asking for readers’ suggestions of other ranges of figures.
My layout includes figures from a number of sources not included in that article, so I thought I’d share some with your readers. My trains (and indeed the rest of the layout) are mostly tinplate coarse scale models of British prototypes, so most of the figures are from the UK, where O scale is 1:43.5, rather than the 1:48 used in North America. Since they co-exist on my layout with 1:48 figures from Arttista and others, compatibility shouldn’t be a big problem. They are mostly unpainted, cast in whitemetal (sometimes requiring assembly. The pictures show them on bases, which I have added (usually from strip brass), so I can move them around (and because it fits with the toy train vibe). There are also figures from the U.S., including from some of the suppliers listed in the CTT article, but also a few others listed below.
Phoenix Figures
S&D Models
Highbridge Works
P O Box 101
Burnham-on-Sea
TA9 4WA, United Kingdom
enquiries@sanddmodels.co.uk
sanddmodels.co.uk (select 1:43 scale, then Phoenix Figures)
The company offers more than 350 figures, some of which are aimed at American modellers. They are all unpainted, cast whitemetal, and some have separate heads, arms and legs, allowing for a bit of mix and match for the adventurous.
Duncan Models
34 Waters Road
Salisbury, Wiltshire
SP1 3NX, United Kingdom
duncanmodels@gmail.com
This company offers a small selection of unpainted figures in cast whitemetal (some assembly may be required), as well as a selection of animals and other details. I only have a couple of his figures, but I have some sheep, seagulls, and miscellaneous items.
Andrew C. Stadden
enquiries@acstadden.co.uk
4 Brougham Grove
Angmering, West Sussex
BN16 4PP, United Kingdom
acstadden.co.uk (select Shop, then O scale)
This is another line of unpainted whitemetal figures. You’ll have to scroll past a number of railwaymen before you get to figures like Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh, Winston Churchill, Charles Dickens, and Oscar Wilde. The photo shows Queen Elizabeth with the Duke of Edinburgh and Winston Churchill. (The other figures are from S&D Models.)
Scale 3D
scale3d.co.uk
This company offers an extensive range of unpainted 3-D printed resin figures. I only have one figure from their “famous people” range, where you can find a great selection of people you’ve heard of to populate your layout. You could even replicate the Beatles crossing Abbey Road! The one I have is Hercule Poirot (as played by David Suchet in the TV series), shown in the photo. (The other figures in the photo are from S&D Models.)
Hallmark
Yes, this is the Hallmark you know. Every year, in addition to the range of Christmas ornaments you know, they also produce a smaller range of miniature ornaments. Sometimes they are sets of approximately O scale figures, such as Han Solo and Chewbacca (from Star Wars) seen on my layout.
They have also produced a set of The Golden Girls (which I have) and Harry Potter figures. Of course, they need to have the hanging loop removed from the top of the head (with a little paint touch-up), and I add bases as noted above. The 2025 Hallmark catalog was released in April, and lists Beetlejuice and a couple of others.
Nano Metal Figs
Jada Toys
jadatoys.com (Note: website under construction)
These are figures I have bought at Walmart, but they are also available at other big-box stores. They are painted cast metal figures in approximately O scale. I have obtained a number of them, including Harry Potter figures as well as various superheroes. My one issue is that they appear to be standing on large surfboards.
3D Prints in Resin
eBay seller
ebay.com/str/3dprintsinresin?_trksid=p4429486.m3561.l170197
I came across this seller when looking for Jurassic Park figures. They offer animals, dogs, accessories, celebrities, and other everyday figures.
