As the scenery on the layout is progressing well, my thoughts have turned to populating the layout. I wasn’t sure of the best way of fixing figures in place. I thought of gluing them but I didn’t want to risk getting blobs of glue around their feet. I posted a question on the Narrow Gauge Railway Modelling Forum and got lots of good advice, which I followed to the letter. Here it is:

• Use a pin vice and a 0.55mm to drill a hole up the leg of the figure. I managed to drill a hole about 5mm deep.
• Super glue a 0.45mm diameter brass wire inside the hole. I’m told brass wire is good because it will flex if the figure is knocked. This reduces the risk of the figure breaking.
• To fix the figure in place drill an 8mm deep hole and drop the wire into it.
• Some people glue the brass wire in place. Others don’t. This allows them to swop the figures every now and then to change the appearance of the layout. I like this idea.
• For animals, such as sheep, drill the body so you can fix the wire close to the inside of one of the back legs. The wire runs behind the leg into the layout and can’t be seen.

The method works like a dream. Thanks to everyone who gave me advice.

I mentioned I like the idea of swopping the figures from time to time. Without glue it’s amazing how easy is is to put different figures on the coaling stage….

Now I just need to paint the figures….