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HO Scale Neon Sign - Milwaukee Road

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  • Member since
    November 2019
  • 401 posts
HO Scale Neon Sign - Milwaukee Road
Posted by The Milwaukee Road Warrior on Thursday, November 28, 2019 8:58 PM

I've seen photos in books covering The Milwaukee Road back during the days of the beautiful Everett Street Depot that show a large red neon "The Milwaukee Road" sign above the trainshed.

I've looked around at some providers (Miller Engineering for one) and tried to find an HO-sized replica and have had no luck.  Has anyone else looked for this and found anything?  

Andy

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Milwaukee native modeling the Milwaukee Road in 1950's Milwaukee.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/196857529@N03/

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,333 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Friday, November 29, 2019 2:32 PM

Miller Engineering does make those signs, in two sizes.

Their catalog numbers are 1070 and 1072.

 

 

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    November 2019
  • 401 posts
Posted by The Milwaukee Road Warrior on Friday, November 29, 2019 4:08 PM

Oh wow, don't know how I missed that.  Thank you very much.  While this is different than the prototype its still a neon sign.  The prototype was static and didnt flash, and incorporated only the text, not the tilted sign.  But this is still great!

Andy

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Milwaukee native modeling the Milwaukee Road in 1950's Milwaukee.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/196857529@N03/

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,333 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Friday, November 29, 2019 6:05 PM

All the Miller Engineering signs I have come with a button that controls the flashing sequence.  I think straight illumination with no flashing is an option.

I use a resistor to drop the voltage and power these from my 12 VDC bus.  They come with a battery pack.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    November 2019
  • 401 posts
Posted by The Milwaukee Road Warrior on Friday, November 29, 2019 6:11 PM

Good to know.  Thank you sir.  The large one is sold out but the smaller one isnt.  

Andy

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Milwaukee native modeling the Milwaukee Road in 1950's Milwaukee.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/196857529@N03/

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,333 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Friday, November 29, 2019 8:10 PM

These are retail items and are often available at train shows and shops.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • 993 posts
Posted by hobo9941 on Thursday, December 5, 2019 7:41 PM

I use a 4 1/2 volt walwart to power my four signs. 

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,333 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Friday, December 6, 2019 8:34 AM

hobo9941

I use a 4 1/2 volt walwart to power my four signs. 

I used to do that on the older section of my layout, but when I expanded I realized that I had entire outlet strips full of wall warts of all different sizes.  Now I have standardized on 12VDC on a single bus, using dropping resistors to bring the voltage down to what I need.

For the Miller signs, I first use the battery pack provided and then measure the current draw, followed by a quick calculation of what the voltage and resistance need to be.

I fuse these supplies at slightly below their rating to make sure I don't destroy the supply with an accidental short or an overload.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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