Railroad station sign

[Steve-Maine]

Has anyone made a Railroad Station sign with the name of the town ? I would like to make one up here in Maine. They were blue with white letters. I live next to RR and think it would look neat over the barn door. Thanks for any help.
 

[Stephen Newell]

If this is what you mean it's just stenciled sheet metal. Depending on the duribility you want it could be done with rattle can paint through a 2k urethane.

 

[Steve-Maine]

The local ones here in Maine where blue with white letters, no border and look like they might have been porcelain. I would like to make one out of metal or wood but need a shiny finish. Thanks
 

[S.Crum]

Any town that had tracks had a station and as such station aigns. These were not under any standardized goverment control, as such they were unique to railroad they served. Check with some of the folks in your town, somebody might have a picture of the station and even some recollection of the signage color. They are neat and not difficult to reproduce.
 

[PJH]

Here's a link to a pic of one. Pretty simple. A long way from Maine though - Tamms, Illinois - restored depot - now city hall.

Paul
Depot sign

 

[Jim in Ma.]

For a real shiny look, Could you find a piece of plate glass the size and shape you need. Paint on the back stencle the name first and then the back ground. there is a name for that style but don't remember it.
You could try that with plexie but I'm not sure how it would stand up in the weather.
 

[PJH]

And another link from searching "depot signs in Maine".
Porcelain white on blue depot sign

 

[Wardner]

I went to a factory auction 30 years ago in eastern Mass where they made porcelain signs. Probably one of the last in the country. They had a huge oven that had to run 24/7. They couldn't shut it down because it took too long to get it to operating temperature. It looks like the Bangor and Aroostock RR chose to use a cheaper alternaive.

There is a guy on eBay who will make vinyl on aluminum signs. I have a standing search using my name "Wardner". Several times a year, eBay will send me an alert for a town sign lettered "Wardner, ID)". The signs are less than $20. The town was named after my great grandfather around 1890.
 

[Stephen Newell]

This tractor was done with Dupont Nason which is a 2k urethane. I think it's pretty shinny and it could also be clear coated if more is needed. I cut the stencil for the lettering from typing paper I printed on my computer. After letting the yellow dry good I applied the stencil with a spray adhesive applied to the back of the stencil.

 

[Stephen Newell]

Dang, how close are you to Tamms. I'm related to the Newells there.
 

[Wardner]

If you wamt to get fancy, look into "glue chipped glass". You need a small sandblaster, sheet rubber stencil material, and old-time animal furniture glue flakes. Best results if blasted lightly. There is probably how-to info on the web.


 

[PJH]

Stephen - I'm about 60 miles north - closer to Chester, IL.
 

[Old Bob]

Where can you get the rubber stencils cut??
 

[Wardner]

Sign shops, grave stone artisans, maybe tat-too shops. Actually anyone who is an artist and whose work you like. You shouldn't call your local surgeon.

I wouldn't be surprised if the machines that cut vinyl could be outfitted to cut the 1/32" sheet rubber.

My local industrial sandblast equipment jobber sells the rubber. They probably know some people.
 

[gtractorfan]

Couldn't resist adding this train station photo although there's no signs showing. Glad I got this picture 30+ years ago before the tracks and station were removed. There's another set of tracks crossing these on behind the station. When I see a place like this I wish there'd be a way to learn all the stories that went with the place. This is at Ohio City, Ohio.