The 'image page' is where we put a changing variety of New Haven Railroad photographs and advertising material for you to enjoy. Be sure to check back here often because we plan to refresh these images on a regular basis.
October 1st, 2004
Gate signs were employed at larger passenger stations such as South Station, Back Bay, Grand Central Terminal, and Penn Station to indicate train departure times and stops en-route. The signs were made of painted canvas, vinyl, or some other type of cloth and were approximately 21" wide by 60" long. They were stored rolled up and were placed in special frames at the entrance to the appropriate track platform just before departure time so that passengers could see which track their train was on. All gate signs except for the Day Cape Codder sign are from the collection of Marc Frattasio.
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Gate sign for Braintree Local which left Boston's South Station at 7:19 AM making stops at Norfolk Downs, Wollaston, Quincy, and Braintree. This gate sign is typical of local and commuter train gate signs used on the New Haven during the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. It is made of painted canvas. |
| Gate sign for Day Cape Codder demonstrates the typical way that named passenger trains were handled by the sign painters during the New Haven's final decades. This gate sign dates from the 1950s. It is made of a black vinyl-like material. | ![]() |
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During the early to mid 1950s non-standard gate signs were made up for deluxe passenger trains including the Merchants Limited, Advance Merchants Limited, and Yankee Clipper. This gate sign for the Advance Merchants Limited was created in 1953. Note the special colors (silver, orange, and black), special lettering style, and special New Haven "logo" treatment. |
September 2004: Freight Station Signs
August 2004: Early Menu Covers
July 2004: Menu Covers of the 1930s Era
June 2004: Menu Covers of the 1940s Era
May 2004: The "Photomatic" Photo Machines
April 2004: Menu Covers of the 1960s Era
March 2004: Menu Covers of the 1950s Era
February 2004: Fun On The Train
January 2004: Travel Folders #7
December 2003: Travel Folders #6
November 2003: Travel Folders #5
October 2003: Travel Folders #4
September 2003: Travel Folders #3
August 2003: Travel Folders #2
May 2003: Small Rectangular Travel Folders
March 2003: Children's Dining Car Menus
February 2003: Sleeping Car Service
January 2003: Odds and Ends #6
December 2002: Old Saybrook China
November 2002: Platinum Blue China
September 2002: Diesel Builder's Plates
April 2002: New Haven R.R. Travel Bags
March 2002: Cost Saving Fare Promotions
February 2002: Odds and Ends #1
December 2001: New Haven R.R. Locks
November 2001: The Streamlined Coaches
September 2001: Seashore Tours
August 2001: John Held, Jr. and the New Haven R.R.
June 2001: The Rail-Auto Travel Plan
May 2001: Advertising Stickers
April 2001: Dietz Hand Lanterns
February 2001: Right of Way Signs
December 2000: TDI Commuter Schedules
November 2000: To Florida on the New Haven Railroad!
September 2000: Train Service Cancellation Posters
August 2000: The New Haven Railroad Rail Charge Card
June 2000: The Boat Race Trains
May 2000: Timetable Change Posters
April 2000: New Haven Railroad Station Signs
March 2000: The Key to New England
February 2000: Route 128 Station
January 2000: New Haven Railroad Cigarette Lighters
December 1999: The Dan'l Webster
November 1999: Postwar Travel Posters
October 1999: Modern Dining Car China
September 1999: New Haven Railroad Dining Car Service Pins
August 1999: New Haven Railroad Lapel Pins
July 1999: The 1939 New York World's Fair -- 60th Anniversary
February 1999: Special Trains of the 1950s and 1960s
January 1999: Ticket Envelopes
December 1998: Holiday Advertising Material
November 1998: New York City Travel Advertising Material
October 1998: Boston Travel Advertising Material
September 1998: The Hurricane of 1938 -- 60th Anniversary
July 1998: The New Haven Goes Back to Cape Cod
June 1998: The 1964/1965 New York World's Fair
May 1998: Official Gifts of the McGinnis Era
March 1998: Pre-War Advertising Brochures
February 1998: New Haven Railroad Freight Service Advertising from the 1950s and 1960s
December 1997: Hotel Montclair Advertisement ca. 1939