Free Large-Scale Signs and Graphics


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Written by Paul D. Race for Family Garden Trains(tm)

This page is a place for odds and ends that may be of value to other garden railroaders.

Initially this site was mostly graphic files I created for my own use to use on buildings I built or trashbashed, that is, created from non-models such as toys and bird feeders. Early versions of this page featured low-resolution graphics that could quickly be downloaded and printed on cheap printers. However, since more people have access to better networks, computers, and printers, I've replaced the graphics with commercial-grade graphic files. I've also added many new textures that hobbyists find useful, including rotten cedar shakes, flagstones, etc., as well as a few signs that look good around the train room or trainyard.
Below these links are links to other resources that you may find helpful.

Building Front Photos:
I have been stockpiling graphics to add to this page when I have opportunity. We are now adding an entirely new feature: High-resolution photographs of classic buildings and building fronts that you can print off and use to provide backgrounds on indoor railroads, especially shelf railroads.

Trainroom Sign Files
This section replicates old-fashioned signage that you used to see on and around railroads. Today you can use them to remind people where they're allowed to go and where they're not allowed to spit. The Trainroom Signs page includes instructions for printing and preparing for use out of doors.
Business and Station Signs
This section includes commercial quality signs and posters that you can resize and print to use on your railroad buildings and accessories.
The Business and Station Signs page includes instructions for resizing and printing. We have also added a collection of miniature toy train posters has been added for use in store front windows, etc.

Building Textures
This section includes downloadable "brick paper," flagstone patterns, and other commercial quality graphics you can resize and print to use for buildings and backgrounds. Folks with collectible villages can use the brick and stone pages for streets.
The Building Textures page includes instructions for resizing and printing.

Stained Glass Windows (572K). I made these up from a Corel-Draw clip-art file to use for a Fisher-Price schoolhouse I am converting into a church. I printed them on Hammermill Papers' "Invent-it" clear decal stock (not good for rolling stock details, but good for signs). Looks great; I mounted them behind clear plastic for additional protection, but the colors came out nice and rich and deep-looking.
Since I posted these, lots of folks have used them, including professional sign companies who needed to make a client's full-sized windows look like stained glass. But one of the most interesting examples comes from Howard Lamey, of Jacksonville. One of Howard's hobbies is building cardboard "Christmas houses" that look like the ones we had around our train set growing up (and which became "cool" again in the early 2000s). To see a church he built using the stained-glass pattern, simply click on the thumbnail to the right). Howard tells me that it is 9" high and the base is 3 1/2" square, if that helps.

Street Signs (752K) Using the Alps, I printed out a few of these on plastic stock, with the idea of cutting them out and gluing them on sticks.

Wrapping Paper Patterns
Okay, it isn't exactly a model railroading page, but we thought we would let you know about a great resource we're putting together for the Family Christmas Online web site. This page includes several color-coordinated antique-style "wrapping paper" patterns that will add color and charm to the simplest paper crafts. Or you could use one to wrap a small present if you forgot to get wrapping paper before Christmas eve.
Other Resources for Information
The Family Garden Trains "Where Do I Go From Here" page includes links to several sites that contain a lot of good information on Garden and Large Scale railroading.
If there's something else you'd like to see here, I'm open to suggestions. Also if you have something you think is worth posting here, please contact us.

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Note: Family Garden Trains(tm), Garden Train Store(tm), and Big Christmas Trains(tm) are trademarks of Breakthrough Communications (www.btcomm.com). All information, data, text, and illustrations on this web site are Copyright (c) 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 by Paul D. Race. Reuse or republication without prior written permission is specifically forbidden.

For more information, please contact me Counter Reset 3/22/2005

	*Stained Glass Windows* (572K). I made these up from a Corel-Draw clip-art file to use for a Fisher-Price schoolhouse I am converting into a church. I printed them on Hammermill Papers' "Invent-it" clear decal stock (not good for rolling stock details, but good for signs). Looks great; I mounted them behind clear plastic for additional protection, but the colors came out nice and rich and deep-looking. Since I posted these, lots of folks have used them, including professional sign companies who needed to make a client's full-sized windows look like stained glass. But one of the most interesting examples comes from Howard Lamey, of Jacksonville. One of Howard's hobbies is building cardboard "Christmas houses" that look like the ones we had around our train set growing up (and which became "cool" again in the early 2000s). To see a church he built using the stained-glass pattern, simply click on the thumbnail to the right). Howard tells me that it is 9" high and the base is 3 1/2" square, if that helps.
	*Street Signs* (752K) Using the Alps, I printed out a few of these on plastic stock, with the idea of cutting them out and gluing them on sticks.