Polish armoured train

Another project that's been on hold for a while, because of poor health, but will be revitalized in due time, is the 1939 Polish armored train PP-52 in 1:25 scale.

As a template, I use an (also Polish) paper model in the proper scale.

Some things have bee slightly altered so the monster can run on my G-scale 45mm tracks.

The template:

The first to be built was the engine, complete with tender with commander's cupola, and radio aerial wires.

Next in line was the first of two artillery cars:

Followed by what is described as the "infantry assault car," again with aerial wires (not shown in this pic). 

Next will be two flat cars, to run om both ends of the train, with as their main function the detection of mines etc. This is as far as I got:

Yes, I know it's possible to buy complete bogies, but what's the fun in that?

The final bit, whenever I get to it, will be the second artillery car - but that is still a few thousand hand cut rivets down the road...

DAS clay figures

I'm always looking for affordable figures to go with my long-suffering G-scale train projects, so you can imagine my happiness when son Richard found, about two decades ago, a few simple molds from DAS clay sets.

No matter if they represent skiers and football players, with a simple paint job they'll do as passengers etc.

One of the first molds, later I found a few more in a store with obvious low turnover and corresponding old stock:

And here are some results, as shown at a local model fair in 2005. As you can see, the figures are more or less posable as long as the the clay is still wet. The figures may be carved as desired when they are dry.

Not the best of models, but they will do as a crowd, or as passengers inside a carriage. And let's not forget the two main selling points: cheap and fun to make.