Looking over many facets of RRianna collecting to display in your train room, why not try something different? All states and countries issue vehicle license plates and these are collected and sold as automobilia. How about adapting this to trains? I usually search e*** by RR initials like PRR, EL, LHR etc for new items to collect. As you know the search will give you everything that has those initials in the post title.
One day while searching CNJ, I came across a CNJ lettered license plate in the 'License Plate' category...CNJ 560...it was a motorcycle plate from Brazil! By the way, this is the roadnumber of a Jersey Central RDC car! It was only a few dollars. After receiving it in a few days, I was hooked. Broadening the search to other states and countries, I even found some foreign 'CNJ' plates. Most plates are under $10 and sometimes you can find a pair of plates with same letter/number combination. I found a CNJ plate #814 (a CNJ steam pacific locomotive) from Australia and then found its mate about 2 years later from a different e*** seller.
What makes it more interesting is that you may find your favorite RR and the numbers can relate to one of that RR's locomotives. The state of Pennsylvania had issued a license plate with a PRR K-4 image...imaging finding a plate with PRR letters and even better, a corresponding PRR locomotive roadnumber!
While cast iron signs are greatly collected, but somewhat expensive, license plates can also be a colorful railroad 'collectible'. With 50 states and many countries and quite a few letter combinations for a favorite railroad...this can be an interesting addition to your train room display. And with many plates priced less than $10...a really neat way to add to your railroad related decor...and because they are real license plates...they are durable for outdoor use!
Happy hunting.
Walter M. Matuch
