Most RPG/WG minis these days run from 25mm to 30mm sizes, with 28mm being the default. Sure, some mass combat wargames, especially old Napoleonics, use 15mm or smaller figures, but modern RPG and Skirmish games tend to stick to the ~28mm range, to maximum cross-game sales (like using Warhammer Fantasy figures for your Dungeons & Dragons game).
25 to 30mm figures
run in terms of scale from about 1:72 (meaning a 1 inch tall mini
represents a 72 inch/6 foot tall person) to 1:60 size, and unless you're
a real stickler for detail and accuracy, or try standing a 25mm cowboy
next to a 30mm indian, the sizes are basically interchangeable.
The closest widely available model train scales for these figures are S Scale (1:64 scale) or OO gauge (1:76 scale) which is more common in the UK than here in the states, but with the ease of online shopping you can probably find whatever you need at a reasonable price.
Some of the terrain and scenery pieces (trees, rocks, etc) from the ubiquitous HO Scale (1:87) that every american toy store carries might be compatible, but the trains themselves, buildings and people/animal figures will look rather small compared to your minis. Conversely, O Scale pieces (1:43 to 1:48) will tend to look pretty large compared to your figures, but again, some of the natural terrain and scenery bits will be useful. The reason I mention these is that HO and O Scale tend to be a lot more common in the US than S Scale or OO gauge, so finding things cheap in local shops will be easier.
Now. if you prefer to stick with the "little plastic cowboys & indians" type figures, you'll have a bit less options, but there are still some things to look at.
Little Plastic Cowboys (LPCs) average about 56mm, or 1:36 scale, a 6 foot man is represented by a 2 inch tall figure. The beauty of these miniatures is that many of the bulk packages you find nowadays come with a handful of horses, fences, tepees, etc.
For train accessories, I recommend looking at Wide Gauge (aka Standard Gauge for Lionel Brand trains) which is about 1:28 scale, or 1 gauge which is 1:32 scale and common in the smaller sized outdoor train models. As usual, you can venture up to O or even HO scales for your natural terrain pieces, and even down to G Scale (which varies widely from 1:19 to 1:29 scale depending on the model and manufacturer), another outdoor train scale that is somewhat common.
When in doubt, my trick is to "rubber band" a mini of the size you prefer (and probably one you don't mind losing or damaging) to my keychain. This way, if I happen upon a toy/hobby/craft store or I'm hitting the local flea markets or goodwill type thrift stores and find a cool piece, I can hold one of my actual minis up to it and see if it will be a good fit for my collection.
Also, keep an eye out around, and especially after, the holidays for some of those holiday/christmas village pieces when they go on sale. Dollar stores are starting to carry a lot of these things too, and using your keychain mini trick above, you can quickly judge for yourself whether a building, set of 'civilians' people
The closest widely available model train scales for these figures are S Scale (1:64 scale) or OO gauge (1:76 scale) which is more common in the UK than here in the states, but with the ease of online shopping you can probably find whatever you need at a reasonable price.
Some of the terrain and scenery pieces (trees, rocks, etc) from the ubiquitous HO Scale (1:87) that every american toy store carries might be compatible, but the trains themselves, buildings and people/animal figures will look rather small compared to your minis. Conversely, O Scale pieces (1:43 to 1:48) will tend to look pretty large compared to your figures, but again, some of the natural terrain and scenery bits will be useful. The reason I mention these is that HO and O Scale tend to be a lot more common in the US than S Scale or OO gauge, so finding things cheap in local shops will be easier.
Now. if you prefer to stick with the "little plastic cowboys & indians" type figures, you'll have a bit less options, but there are still some things to look at.
Little Plastic Cowboys (LPCs) average about 56mm, or 1:36 scale, a 6 foot man is represented by a 2 inch tall figure. The beauty of these miniatures is that many of the bulk packages you find nowadays come with a handful of horses, fences, tepees, etc.
For train accessories, I recommend looking at Wide Gauge (aka Standard Gauge for Lionel Brand trains) which is about 1:28 scale, or 1 gauge which is 1:32 scale and common in the smaller sized outdoor train models. As usual, you can venture up to O or even HO scales for your natural terrain pieces, and even down to G Scale (which varies widely from 1:19 to 1:29 scale depending on the model and manufacturer), another outdoor train scale that is somewhat common.
When in doubt, my trick is to "rubber band" a mini of the size you prefer (and probably one you don't mind losing or damaging) to my keychain. This way, if I happen upon a toy/hobby/craft store or I'm hitting the local flea markets or goodwill type thrift stores and find a cool piece, I can hold one of my actual minis up to it and see if it will be a good fit for my collection.
Also, keep an eye out around, and especially after, the holidays for some of those holiday/christmas village pieces when they go on sale. Dollar stores are starting to carry a lot of these things too, and using your keychain mini trick above, you can quickly judge for yourself whether a building, set of 'civilians' people
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