Your HO layout is looking perfect. The trains run smoothly on properly-ballasted track, greenery and trees blanket the wilderness areas, the structures show the expected weathering and dozens of tiny people go about their business. But if something is still missing, it's most likely the four-footed friends that are part of our daily lives.

Preiser provides a dozen pets to populate your cities and towns. The two black and two white cats are the smallest at about a quarter-of-an-inch long. They're merely suggestions of animals, though at their diminutive sizes, it would hard to add any painted details.

The eight dogs are slightly larger, with the longest running about half-an-inch, and sporting a coat of tan and brown, a black color and a pinprick of a black nose. Other recognizable species are a tan bulldog, a black-and-brown dachshund, and a black-and-white German shepherds. The rest seem to be mutts in white and brown.

Only two of the animals have the same poses, with the rest standing, walking, sitting or lying down. Since none have any bases, only the standing and laying versions can stay up unassisted, though a careless breath can blow them down. I suggest planting all of them on the layout with a spot of glue, and keeping them in position until the glue dries. You'll need tweezers to handle them.

The figures are nicely formed, looking exactly like their counterparts in real life. Perhaps a couple of the cats need some minor filing. But since they're so small, you'll only notice the extra plastic with a powerful magnifying glass. The colors are different and natural enough, that you could put them altogether in one area and they wouldn't look aritificial. If your animals are going on the front of an eye-level layout, they could benefit with a light wash of contrasting color just to bring out some of the molded details. Otherwise, they're fine right out of the box.

These tiny wonders are not for kids but meant for the serious model railroader or miniaturist.

Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 9.99
Type of Toy: Trains
Age Range of Child: Other