2020s Hillendale - Sign for Main Shop

January 20, 2024 - Hillendale, NY

The Main Shop building at Hillendale has received a new feature - a neon sign!

One of the most visible buildings on the Hillendale campus, the Main Shop was where major overhauls were done to locomotives and rolling stock. Today, it is home to the Hillendale Railway Company Museum, filled with rich interpretive exhibits chronicling the Hillendale's part in local society over the many decades.

At the Hillendale Railway Co. & Museum, we strive to honor the railway's relevance 100 years ago by maintaining its relevance today. Kindness has always been core to the Hillendale Railway. During its common carrier era, the railroad's leaders felt they represented more than a transportation company. They saw the railway as a community builder, tying together the habitations through which it ran, its stations and cars common spaces where everyone should feel welcome.

The Hillendale Railway has seen a lot since its incorporation in 1875. From multiple economic recessions, to two world wars, to periods of civil acrimony and distrust, the railway has survived it all with its mission intact. In these modern days, anger, fear, and sadness are feelings that are more commonplace than not. We at the Hillendale Railway believe that one of the most essential ways to work through our problems and make the world a better place for everyone is by being kind. To strangers. To your friends. To your community members.

We believe everyone has it in them to be kind. But sometimes we need a reminder that through kindness, we can accomplish great things. This sign serves as a reminder, and asserts one of the central tenets of the Museum's charter: to be a railroad for everyone.

A Brief History of Neon Signs on Railroads

Neon signs are nothing new to railroads: in fact, they're a classic staple of mid-century railroading. Major yards, railroad terminals, or company headquarters would often have a large neon sign spelling the railroad's name, or a catchy slogan. Although the Hillendale sign differs in message, functionally, it harkens back to the bold lighted signs found on many railroad buildings. Here are some from around the United States:

Louisville & Nashville Railroad company headquarters, Louisville, KY. Brent Moore photo, Flickr.

Erie-Lackawanna Railroad terminal, Hoboken, NJ. PR Newswire photo.

Denver Union Station, Denver, CO. JJ Shev photo.