Road Signs

[trainwhiz20]

Well, I have another good ol' question!

I've been doing a ton of work on the layout lately. A burst of enthusiasm, you may call it.

My recent project has been a road and its crossing over the BRB mainline. Pictures will come this weekend, along with a post in the HO forum to show my progress thus far.

Anyway, for the road and crossings, I need road signs (maybe a billboard too) era 1950s or so. I was hoping to save money (and besides, the LHS didn't have anything but those unrealistic LifeLike ripoff signs) and use toothpicks painted either FolkArt Acorn Brown or Floquil Concrete (whether I want wood or "metal") with styrene attached. The styrene would hold the sign printed off my inkjet printer.

So, my question is, exactly how big should the signs be? Does anyone have a handy sheet with scaled signs already? And do you like the idea of using painted toothpicks as poles?

Please let me know. Once I get these done, just another touch of detail will be out of the way! :thumb:

Thanks!

 

[rockislandmike]

I have used styrene posts, and then signs printed onto cardstock. It looks pretty good; I think the styrene might be a little thick for the sign itself. I just attached the sign to the post with a dab of glue.

 

[CN1]

Check the following links for signs.

http://www.billboardsofthepast.com/main.htm

http://www.trainweb.org/tylick/signintro.htm

http://www.gatewaynmra.org/download.htm

 

[trainwhiz20]

Okay.

Well, the styrene I was planning to use is like .015" or something. Maybe I'll just glue the paper directly to the toothpick.

Great links, CN1. However, anyone know where I can get American 1950 highway (rural area) roadsigns? The link on one of those pages is nonexistant.

Thanks again guys! I appreciate the help!

 

[spitfire]

Trainwhiz, if you check my sig there's a link to my website. On it I have lots of roadsigns for download. Once you get to the site, click on the button marked "resources". The signs have to be sized down for printing. I usually make mine a scale 2 ft wide. Here's a sample.

Val

 

[trainwhiz20]

Thanks guys. That helps. Just what I was looking for.

Val--I didn't realize you had them on your site! Guess I missed that...

 

[Doc Holliday]

Those are some great sign links! Unfortunately you didn't see many billlboards or traffic signs in the Old West. Not to be left out, I've made up a quick few samples for possible use.
Doc

 

[ezdays]

Now that's BADDDDDD, real BAD....

 

[Sir_Prize]

Doc- :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:
Them's som good signs. They have'm in the big cities like Dodge & Denver, and Oklyhoma City didn't they?

 

[ezdays]

Doc- :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:
Them's som good signs. They have'm in the big cities like Dodge & Denver, and Oklyhoma City didn't they?

Actually, I think up until a few years ago, Scottsdale, Arizona had signs all over town with a horse and "Horses have the right of way". That's when it was a cowtown, and before it went upscale and trendy. Now I think it says, "Mercedes have the right of way".ops:

 

[Doc Holliday]

Here's one more

Here's one more sign for those of us modeling older eras.
Doc

 

[ezdays]

I thing there's a "G" missing there, in the tradition of the old west that is.

Seems to me it should read "BASKIN ROBBINGS".