SignWeb | signweb.com

(July 2006) posted on Wed Jul 12, 2006

Railroad history pays off for a history buff.

Tweet

By Judi Smith

• 

In 2005, we had the rare privilege of designing and fabricating a sign system for a new museum. The Greeley Freight Station, the brainchild of retired newspaper publisher Dave Trussell, depicts a century of typical U.S. railroading via working, HO-scale models and museum displays.

This job was tailor-made for Kent. His grandfather had worked for the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad (D&RGRR). Kent taught high-school and university-level history before opting for self-employment. His first published book was a biographical study of a Colorado-homestead family. And, his HO-scale, model-railroad layout will be the focal point of the library in our new house.

Naturally, he was excited about this project, and, naturally, I was afraid he would underbid the job to get it. We began the bidding process in February 2004, and we completed the project in February 2006. During the two years, we completed eight work orders, and each turned a profit. Such a rewarding job reminds us why Kent chose to return to signmaking full time, but we always welcome a consistent profit, too.

A COH-scale project

We completed the first work order, a simple 2 x 20-ft. Alumalite aluminum-composite-material (Laminators Inc., Hatfield, PA) identification sign with computer-generated letters, as soon as the building was ready for occupancy. The total sale price, $867.50, minus $168.02 in materials, left a $699.48 contribution to overhead (COH). We used materials that replicate, but are more durable than, those used in 1916. Like staging a theatrical set, this museum invited the public to experience the grandeur of the U.S. rail system.

The second assignment, an 18 x 24-in. dedication plaque, proved equally simple. We printed the plaque in gold-medal foil on black vinyl to accommodate 223 words. Kent also provided, at $20 each, four, used, gooseneck light fixtures. The sale price, $215, minus $11.42 in materials, resulted in a $203.58 COH.

Then, the real fun began. Greeley discourages metal buildings. The local zoning code requires such buildings to be "enhanced" by architectural elements. The city's modern metal buildings often imitate the earlier century's vertical-slat, clap-wood structures. A deep-green paint coat enhanced this building's appearance.

Still, the city wanted more defined "elements." The Development Code specifically states paint alone won't meet the qualifications. So, Kent researched that era's buildings and how we could, without exceeding budget, reproduce the effect.