M&NJ Design a RR Herald Contest

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

Middletown & New Jersey Railway Co., Inc.
140 East Main Street, Middletown, New York 10940

Dear Members of the Railroad Community,

The Middletown & New Jersey Railroad (M&NJ) has been a short line
railroad serving the Orange County, New York community for over 140
years. We believe that railroads in this country are going to make
a resurgence and the M&NJ will once again be a strong provider of
rail service as we were in the past. As the M&NJ approaches this
new era, we are looking to re-establish our image as a short line
hauler in Southern New York. In order to show off our historic past
and create an image for our future we are sponsoring a HERALD DESIGN
CONTEST for a new company logo.

In the past, the railroad was simply identified by the company’s
initials. Although an improvised herald appears in some older
photographs, no “official” herald was ever adopted or widely used.
We feel that having the M&NJ adopt a new herald will symbolize the
beginning of a great new period in the history of the M&NJ.

This contest will hopefully produce a corporate logo which will
reflect the historic nature of the railroad, while creating a
professional corporate image for the planned redevelopment of the
line. Entries should be submitted to the M&NJ RR at the address
above to the attention of Thomas Winant.

Entries are due by September 21st.

The winner will be chosen and announced at the Middletown & New
Jersey RR’s Open House on Friday, Sept. 29th at the newly renovated
historic train station in Middletown. The prize for the winning
entry will be a weekend excursion over the Maine Eastern RR, with
lodging, for the winner and three guests. Additionally, the winner
will receive a certificate of recognition from the M&NJ. The Herald
will become the official corporate emblem and will appear on the
rail

2

Can you tell us alittle bit about this railroad, and the history of the area? I might want to get out my crayons and do some sketching…[;)]

3

Check out the M&NJ Historical Society webpage at http://www.mnjrhs.org/

It is a tiny short line, amazing that it keeps going…

The M&NJ was recently purchased by a company that hauls away refuse. It has a large plastics customer as well. Last I heard their power was a GE 44 tonner.

LC

4

Sounds interesting, but there’s a few things I’d want to know first :

  1. Are there any distinctive features about the line? Lakes, rivers, bridges, etc?
  2. Any thoughs as to what new power might be? Is it okay to keep the look and feel of a smaller locomotive (don’t make a logo with a smaller engine or something for a company that will outgrow the logo (or should I say loco))
  3. Any features for service, or services that the line used to provide that might come back?
  4. Any ideas as to what type of services the line might provide?
  5. Is the blue and yellow staying?
5

Okay, more importantly, is there a river or some body of water near the rail line?
(Now i’ve got an idea)