{"title":"Gaugemaster","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"gaugemaster-gm950-on-the-footplate-figure-set-oo-gauge","title":"Gaugemaster GM950 On The Footplate Figure Set OO Gauge","description":"\u003cp\u003eSix exclusively designed, hand-painted OO gauge figures themed around the locomotive footplate — drivers, firemen, and maintenance crew, all ready to go straight from the box. Sculpted from archive materials for genuine historical accuracy, these bring real character to engine shed scenes, locomotive cabs, and depot dioramas. Part of Gaugemaster's own UK-specific figure range, and better value than buying the two three-figure packs separately.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGaugemaster GM950 — On The Footplate Figure Set\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere's a particular kind of emptiness to a beautifully detailed steam locomotive sitting on a layout with nobody at the controls. You've done all the hard work — the weathering, the coal in the tender, maybe a bit of grime around the firebox — and then you look in through the cab and there's just... nothing. That's exactly the gap this set is designed to fill.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eGM950 On The Footplate Figure Set\u003c\/strong\u003e is part of Gaugemaster's own exclusive figure range, built specifically around the working life of steam-era locomotive crews. Six figures, all hand-painted, all ready to drop straight into your layout the moment they arrive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat's in the Box\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e Wheel Tapper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e Right-Sided Driver\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e Left-Sided Driver\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e Fireman Standing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e Fireman Shovelling\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e Locomotive Maintenance Crew Member\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat's a proper working crew — not six blokes standing around with their hands in their pockets. The poses are active and purposeful, which makes all the difference when you're composing a scene.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHand-Painted and Ready to Use\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe key thing here is that these come \u003cstrong\u003efully hand-painted to a high standard\u003c\/strong\u003e — none of that grey plastic staring back at you waiting for a brush. The paint finish is matte, which matters more than people realise. A glossy figure on an otherwise carefully weathered layout catches the light in all the wrong ways. These don't have that problem.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sculpts themselves were developed from archive materials, so the clothing, proportions, and postures reflect genuine steam-era practice. Worth noting if historical accuracy matters to you — and if you're modelling the footplate, it probably does.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhere They Work Best\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrimarily designed for \u003cstrong\u003eOO gauge locomotive cabs and footplates\u003c\/strong\u003e, but versatile enough to work across engine sheds, depot scenes, and anywhere railway staff might plausibly be found going about their work. The wheel tapper and maintenance crew member in particular are well-suited to shed dioramas or yard scenes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey'll also sit quite happily alongside other quality figure ranges — Preiser, Bachmann Scenecraft — without looking out of place. Consistent scale and anatomy makes that a lot easier than it is with some of the chunkier older plastic figures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBetter Value as a Six-Pack\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe GM950 combines what would otherwise be two separate three-figure packs into a single set, which works out more economical if you want the full crew. If you only need half the set for a specific scene, the individual packs are available too — but for most layouts, the full six gives you the most flexibility.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA small addition to a layout, yes — but the kind of small addition that makes people stop and look twice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSpecification\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eProduct Code\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGM950\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScale\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOO Gauge (1:76)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNumber of Figures\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaterial\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eInjection-moulded plastic\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePaint Finish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHand-painted, matte finish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTheme\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSteam locomotive footplate crew\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFigures Included\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWheel Tapper, Right-Sided Driver, Left-Sided Driver, Fireman Standing, Fireman Shovelling, Locomotive Maintenance Crew Member\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOO Gauge (1:76); also usable on HO Gauge (1:87) layouts\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReady to Use\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes — no painting required\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eManufacturer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGaugemaster\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRange\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGaugemaster Collection (exclusive figure range)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Gaugemaster","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57857637318920,"sku":"GM950","price":12.75,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1019\/8368\/2824\/files\/gaugemaster-gm950-001.jpg?v=1779301107"},{"product_id":"gaugemaster-gm970-on-the-footplate-figure-set-a-oo-gauge","title":"Gaugemaster GM970 On The Footplate Figure Set A - OO Gauge","description":"\u003cp\u003eThree exclusive, pre-painted OO gauge figures covering some of the most iconic steam-era railway roles — Driver, Fireman, and the often-overlooked Wheel Tapper. Each one is crafted with genuine attention to pose and period detail, making them ready to drop straight onto your layout without picking up a brush. At roughly £2 a figure, it's a cost-effective way to bring a quiet depot scene properly to life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOn the Footplate — Bringing Steam-Era Character to Your Layout\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf your locomotives are running but nobody's driving them, something's always going to feel slightly off. It's one of those things you might not consciously notice at first — but the moment you add a figure in the cab or a maintenance worker on the platform edge, the whole scene clicks into place. That's exactly what the \u003cstrong\u003eGaugemaster GM970 On the Footplate (3) Figure Set A\u003c\/strong\u003e is designed to do.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is part of Gaugemaster's first dedicated figure range, and it shows — these aren't rebranded figures you've seen a dozen times before. They're exclusive designs, developed specifically for the Gaugemaster catalogue, with the kind of care that goes into getting the poses and period detail right rather than just filling a box.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWho's in the Box?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSet A gives you three figures, each representing a distinct steam-era role:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDriver\u003c\/strong\u003e — posed on duty, exactly as you'd expect to find him preparing for or coming off a run\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFireman\u003c\/strong\u003e — the unsung half of any steam locomotive crew, captured mid-duty in a natural working stance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWheel Tapper\u003c\/strong\u003e — and this is the one that catches people's attention. Wheel tappers are a wonderful bit of railway history, and you rarely find them in standard figure sets. A nice touch of realism for any depot or platform scene\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll three arrive \u003cstrong\u003epre-painted\u003c\/strong\u003e in historically inspired uniforms — the paintwork is careful and characterful, with enough texture and variation to look convincing at arm's length on a finished layout. No brushwork required on your part unless you want to add your own weathering on top, which they'd certainly take well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhere They Work Best\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe obvious home for the Driver and Fireman is an open locomotive cab — a Jinty, a Black Five, anything with a footplate worth staffing. The \u003cstrong\u003eWheel Tapper\u003c\/strong\u003e is particularly well suited to platform edges, carriage sidings, or any depot scene where maintenance activity would be taking place. All three will work equally well in scenic dioramas if you're building a static steam-era display rather than a running layout.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWorth noting: these are 1:76 scale, so they're spot-on for \u003cstrong\u003eOO gauge\u003c\/strong\u003e. They'll technically sit on an HO layout too, but they'll read as slightly tall — something to bear in mind.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePart of a Wider Set\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf three figures isn't quite enough to staff a busy depot scene, \u003cstrong\u003eGM971 Set B\u003c\/strong\u003e adds three more in different poses, and the \u003cstrong\u003eGM950 six-figure set\u003c\/strong\u003e brings both sets together in one purchase. Good to know if you're planning ahead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt around £2 per figure, the value here is genuinely solid for pre-painted scenic detail of this quality. Give them a go — and if the Wheel Tapper earns a few comments at your next club night, don't say we didn't warn you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eProduct Details:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProduct Code: GM970\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eScale: 1:76 (OO Gauge)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNumber of Figures: 3\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFigures Included: Wheel Tapper, Driver, Fireman\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePre-Painted: Yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEra: Steam Era\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaterial: Plastic \/ Resin\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHO Gauge Compatible: Yes (figures will appear slightly oversized)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrand: Gaugemaster\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRelated Products: GM971 (Set B), GM950 (6-Figure Set)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Gaugemaster","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57863750385928,"sku":"GM970","price":6.75,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1019\/8368\/2824\/files\/Gaugemastergm970OnTheFootplateSetOf3OOScaleFiguresSetA.jpg?v=1779363662"},{"product_id":"gaugemaster-gm971-on-the-footplate-figure-set-b-oo-gauge","title":"Gaugemaster GM971 On The Footplate Figure Set B - OO Gauge","description":"\u003ch2\u003eOn the Footplate (3) — OO Gauge Figure Set B\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEmpty locomotive cabs are one of those things that can quietly undermine an otherwise brilliant layout. You've got a beautifully weathered Britannia or a well-detailed Black Five sitting on the tracks, and then you peer into the cab and — nothing. No driver, no fireman, just a hollow space. It's a small thing, but it matters. That's exactly the gap these figures are designed to fill.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat's in the Pack?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Gaugemaster GM971 On the Footplate (3) Set B contains three individually posed, pre-painted figures covering the key crew roles you'd expect to find around a working steam or early diesel locomotive. You get a locomotive maintenance crew member — ideal for shed and depot scenes — alongside a driver and a fireman caught in a distinctly active pose. The poses differ from those in Set A (GM970), so if you've already got that one, these are a genuine addition rather than a repeat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach figure has been sculpted using archive reference material, which shows in the clothing detail and the posture. \u003cstrong\u003eThe fireman shovelling pose in particular sits convincingly inside most OO cab interiors\u003c\/strong\u003e, and that's not something you can say about figures that were designed as general-purpose pedestrians and repurposed for the footplate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePre-Painted and Ready to Go\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll three figures come pre-painted straight out of the box. The paintwork is tidy — appropriate colours for working railway crew, with enough definition to read well at viewing distance. For most of us, that's absolutely fine and saves a good chunk of time. If you're a figure painter who wants to go further, you can always touch them up or add your own weathering, but they'll look perfectly at home as they are.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWorth noting that they're compatible with Hornby, Bachmann, and Peco rolling stock without any awkward scale mismatches — they're true 1:76 and behave accordingly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhere They Work Best\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLocomotive cab interiors\u003c\/strong\u003e — the primary purpose, and they do it well\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEngine sheds and maintenance depots\u003c\/strong\u003e — the crew member figure earns its place here\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCoaling stages and water columns\u003c\/strong\u003e — anywhere you'd find a crew doing routine checks between turns\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiorama and exhibition layouts\u003c\/strong\u003e — small details like this are exactly what judges and visitors notice\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePart of a Wider Collection\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you want to build a fuller scene, Set B pairs naturally with \u003cstrong\u003eGM970 (Set A)\u003c\/strong\u003e, which includes a wheel tapper and two complementary crew poses. Or, if you'd rather get all six figures in one go, the \u003cstrong\u003eGM950 pack\u003c\/strong\u003e brings both sets together. For the price of a pint or two, you can make a serious difference to how your motive power depot looks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEra compatibility runs from steam-era through to the early diesel transition period — broadly Eras 3 to 6 — so they'll fit comfortably on the majority of UK layouts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eProduct Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProduct Code: GM971\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eScale: OO Gauge (1:76)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNumber of Figures: 3\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFigure 1: Locomotive Maintenance Crew Member\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFigure 2: Driver\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFigure 3: Fireman (active\/shovelling pose)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaterial: High-quality plastic\/resin\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePainting: Pre-painted, hand-finished\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAssembly Required: No\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEra Compatibility: Eras 3–6 (steam through early diesel transition)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompatible Brands: Hornby, Bachmann, Peco and other OO gauge manufacturers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompanion Sets: GM970 (Set A), GM950 (6-figure combined pack)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Gaugemaster","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57863765819656,"sku":"GM971","price":6.75,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1019\/8368\/2824\/files\/gm971-04.jpg?v=1779363934"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.scalemodelscenery.co.uk\/collections\/gaugemaster-661.oembed","provider":"Scale Model Scenery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}