I would like to know if most HO modelers here who have used Miller Engineering Neon Signs and/or billboards use the HO/0 scale sizes or N scale.
I’m finding myself torn between some of them being too large for HO…maybe yet N scale too small for impact/effect. I’m thinking the “Travel By Train/Union Station” and U.P. “blinky” signs will be ok but The Reddy Killowatt sign falls into the not quite right for either size.
My layout (still track laying) is 30" deep for operations if that helps. I don’t have any structures built yet so it make the decision harder until they are. I’ve bought some “blinky” signs when they’ve been available at an attractive “on sale” price.
What do you guys do/think? If you have pics of urban areas on your layout (or prototypes) that would be helpful. The Mobil HO/0 sign is HUGE. In that case the N scale version is much more appropriate for a gas station-so this may vary from sign to sign/application… What has been your experience? Thanks.
I think the HO/O signs will be too large for most HO layouts. Most larger structures in HO and larger scales tend to be selectively compressed so they don’t dominate our layouts. If you look through Miller’s site you’ll notice that where there is a picture of the prototype, the building is comparatively large. The Denver Union Station appears to be 4 times the height of the sign. Since the model sign is 2" tall the model station would need to be 8" tall. So unless you want the sign to dominate the scene, N might be your best bet.
I bought the large Budweiser sign to use on the Walthers (HO) furniture warehouse. I am making a brewery out of it. It seemed to be the right size. I plan on buying some more including one for my PRR station. You have to be your own judge of what is the right size for you.
Yes of course we do have to be our own judges of what looks correct. I wondered if there was a general trend towards HO modelers using more N scale signs than HO/0.
I’ve learned to hold off buying any more in advance of structures being placed on the layout as it’s really hard to predict what’s going to look right later.
Even thought the dimensions are given on Miller’s site (and dealers) it’s hard to tell in advance.
I thought the 'Reddy Killowat" sign to be a bit large in HO and thought well I’d like to see an N scale version. Once I did, I was kind of amazed how much tinier it was and didn’t have ANY impact for my envisioned scene. So…I’ll have to compromise with careful placement or partially hidden by tree branch approaches, etc.
Miss brick and mortar train shops where one can see and hold something in their hand and make a “real world” decision. They’ve all but disappeared in my area.
Our club group at Boothbay has purchased a number of the HO\O size signs, but they seen too large to me unless you have a large structure to install them on.
I purchased the HO/O Redi-Kilowatt sign, intending to put it atop a Walthers Cornerstone Northern Light and Power, but it turned out to be so large that it was placed in another location where it looks like a ground-level billboard.
I’ve found a number of the older signs, small ones that say “Hotel” or “Pizza.” These were smaller, simpler signs, and unfortunately they are now out of production. The large signs are nice, but as many have pointed out, they are too large for most HO-scale layouts. The Citgo sign is still a prominent Boston landmark, and I remember the White Fuel sign as well. I would guess that these signs are pretty close to the scale size based on the prototype. But, they sat on top of 8 or 10 story buildings, far larger than almost any of would have on our layouts.
I’ve spoken to the Miller reps at train shows. They haven’t given me much encouragement, either in getting smaller signs or in bringing back the older line of simpler signs.
cacole, that is the exact same building/application I was trying for. Did you consider swapping for an N Scale version of Reddy? I’m still thinking about it but the N scale version seems too small to have much “ooh, ahh” effect for an HO building. I DO have a couple of Bachmann Spectrum City Scape “sky scrapers” so maybe…
I have the Stan’s Drive in road side sign in HO. It looks impressive and appears to be about right in size. I discovered yesterday while unpacking a box of RR stuff from the move that I screwed up. I have the Bud Smiley Bar Mills gas station which is Texaco (or Shell). I installed LED lighting inside and under the canopy and it looks real good. So I bought a Miller Eng sign and a Mini-Metal gas delivery truck. I noticed yesterday that the sign and truck are for Mobile gas not Texaco, So now I need to find some color pics/signs to replace the Texaco signs on the gas station. Anyone have any ideas? Anyway the Mobile sign I got was HO/N and it is close to HO bill board size. I think it will look good along side the gas station. I am glad I did not get the HO/O size as it would have been a monster.
I would get more signs but most of the ones they have are far too large for my HO layout. All of my layout is in the country so the biggest I can go is for a roadside bill board.
Whereas most of the Miller signs are large rooftop displays, these are really the kind of thing you’d see in a store window. I’ve got plans for several of them on the new section of my layout.