Electronic – 13v linear regulated power supply

Sure, it would work.

I have used a slight step-up transformer (120v to 130v) to drive a nixie supply. It also had a 6.3v filament tap which was really convenient for the 5v ttl logic supply. However, I used a full-bridge rectifier followed by a electrolytic capacitor to filter both supplies. Here's why I would recommend that setup over what you're suggesting:

• It's cheap. For $1.25, you can have decent regulation of your supply voltage. I'm assuming the isolation transformer is already accounted for.
• You can/will see the nixie tubes flicker at 60 Hz.

The motivation for fancier regulation circuits is to protect the nixie tubes. They are usually the focal point of any design using them, so it's in the designer's best interest to make sure nothing bad happens to the tubes. I've seen people drive nixie tubes with expensive regulated bench supplies, and read about people using unisolated circuits. Somewhere in that range is a cost-benefit-paranoia tradeoff.

Switching power is noisy, there's no doubt about it - typically anywhere from kilohertz up to the megahertz range, both CM and DM.

I also think you're getting your terms mixed up. I presume you meant to say transformer and bridge rectifier, not Wheatstone bridge.

You can use a switcher to feed a 317 regulator and get the benefit of cleaner output and less efficiency loss than a fully linear solution (mains frequency transformer et al)

A 317 is active and will reject ripple as a function of the voltage feedback network controlling the series-pass transistor in the device.