Hi Gordo,
I'm in the UK, where the neon sign was usually a fairly small item, maybe 400-500mm by 1000-1200mm, used in dealer showrooms. I'll dig out a few photos and work out how to upload them!
I used to have a motoring bookshop, and wanted to have a neon on display, but found that the ones I found for sale were not known to be working, had no transformers and generally the vendors knew nothing about them. So I ended up finding out all I could about them, and now have about twenty - and can get hold of transformers or get them repaired if needed. American neons are often huge, outlining big enamel signs outside of dealer showrooms. Very expensive and collectable, but not very practical! At least I can keep a few without having to rent an aircraft hangar!