N&W Roanoke Shops Sign -- Status Report #2

[NW Mailing List]

One thing about their earlier production of the “NW” sign was it had red letters but a yellow border. From what I’d seen, the entire sign was red, no yellow. I don’t know if they would consider modifying it to all red like the signs, if that’s indeed what it was, it would be nice. 

I’d asked them about it back when, but they didn’t seem pleased to have that point raised. 

Phil Miller

 

From: NW-Mailing-List <nw-mailing-list-bounces at nwhs.org> On Behalf Of NW Mailing List via NW-Mailing-List
Sent: Wednesday, May 26, 2021 2:08 PM
To: NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>; NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
Cc: NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
Subject: N&W Roanoke Shops Sign -- Status Report #2

 

Further to Miller Engineering options for illuminated N&W Roanoke Shops HO-scale signs:

 

1.            With respect to commissioning a new sign (i.e., "steam-era" version), Miller Engineering charges a $350 design fee for which the Society would be are allowed one revision.  If that is approved, samples would be $1,000 each.  If the order is placed, both those fees would be credited back to the production order.  The minimum production run is 500 kits. Pricing would be $14-$18 depending on the size and amount of the illuminated area.  So, we’re talking $7,000 (to perhaps $9,000).  The finished sign would normally retail for about $36-$43 (based on Miller’s retail price and reseller pricing for the diesel-era sign).  That’s a lot of signs to have to resell, especially in potential competition with other resellers, unless Miller would agree not to resell to third parties.  I have posed that question to my contact and will report when I have an answer.

 

2.    For the diesel-era sign that Miller is considering bringing out again this summer, they will give the Society their “distributor" discount of 55%, with a minimum order of $1,000.  Assuming Miller’s $43 retail pricing, with a 55% discount, that would work out to a purchase of about 42 signs.  The Society could probably resell those fairly quickly on a pre-order basis for $35 (cheaper than likely to be available from hobby shops) and turn a nice ($470) profit, or sell for $30 to Members and still turn a $260 profit.  

 

Nothing additional to report on the non-illuminated version.

 

Should I continue to explore these options?

 

Bill D

N&W Steam Only

 

P.S.  Through the generosity of another member to these list serves, I have located a working version of the diesel-era sign!! 

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