Vintage "neon" sign kits for model RRs

[peteski]

@pmpexpress  @Sokramiketes

Some time ago we had typical out-in-the-left-field discussion in the Weekend Update thread about scale neon signs.
The discussion was started by my post:  https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=60615.msg835832#msg835832 (Reply #78) and went on to Reply #88.   
Instead of continuing the discussion there, I have dug through my vintage stuff and found those "neon" signs which inspired my version.
The company was Quality Products Company, and the signs line was called SIGNS OF THE TIMES.  I found them in a contemporary Walthers catalog.  I bought three of them but they were too large and bulky for anything I was working on, so they just went in my stash of stuff.  But they gave me the idea to make similar signs much smaller, using SMD LED, and a piece of 0.010" clear styrene.

Here are photos of the kits and instructions:






These were back-engraved on a piece of 1/8" thick Plexi - way too thick (and large) for a N scale window.



And the instructions.

[pmpexpress]

@pmpexpress  @Sokramiketes

Some time ago we had typical out-in-the-left-field discussion in the Weekend Update thread about scale neon signs.
The discussion was started by my post:  https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=60615.msg835832#msg835832 (Reply #78) and went on to Reply #88.   
Instead of continuing the discussion there, I have dug through my vintage stuff and found those "neon" signs which inspired my version.
The company was Quality Products Company, and the signs line was called SIGNS OF THE TIMES.  I found them in a contemporary Walthers catalog.  I bought three of them but they were too large and bulky for anything I was working on, so they just went in my stash of stuff.  But they gave me the idea to make similar signs much smaller, using SMD LED, and a piece of 0.010" clear styrene.

Here are photos of the kits and instructions:






These were back-engraved on a piece of 1/8" thick Plexi - way too thick (and large) for a N scale window.



And the instructions.

Pete,

Wow...

Have never heard of Quality Products, nor the items that they once sold.

Given their age, the signs appear to have been way ahead of their time.

Thanks for sharing.

[Rasputen]

I have some of those sitting around as well.  There is a more recent company, DVL Design LLC that makes a similar product. Unlike the Quality Products Co units, DVL design uses 1/32 thick acrylic so you don't get as much of an aquarium effect when you look through them.  The DVL signs are engraved into the acrylic, but instead of different colors applied to the engraving, they use colored LED's as light sources.  This limits the sign to all one color but they are very well made.  The signs include a photo etched stainless steel frame to simulate the neon sign support structure.  They are still only practical for large HO scale windows.  Most of them require a lot of space above the sign for the LED light source, so be sure to download and print out the templates before choosing one.