{"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","url":"https:\/\/www.scalemodelscenery.co.uk\/products\/gaugemaster-gm970-on-the-footplate-figure-set-a-oo-gauge","provider":"Scale Model Scenery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}