| Welcome to ROLLSIGN GALLERY! |
| Showing the history of public transportation through their destination signs, with the most diverse and comprehensive collection online! |
| This site was originally designed from December 18, 2004 to February 19, 2005. Over time it has grown with many new acquisitions, improved high resolution images, electronic destination signs and lists, photographs, embedded YouTube videos, and a web series showing how the historic artifacts shown are acquired from scrap yards and locations all over North America. |
| This site was last updated on JANUARY 8, 2025. |
1/08
2025
What's
NEW!
2025
What's
NEW!
| Get Social! |
| - Rollsign Gallery's Bulletin Board - |
| ROLLSIGN GALLERY is going into its 20TH YEAR ONLINE! I want to extend a personal THANK YOU to everyone that has visited the site, and have helped it expand and grow by purchasing memorabilia. Your support has made Rollsign Gallery's presence expand world wide! |
| Rollsign Gallery's web series "Transportation Treasures" continues to grow on YouTube! Ride along as I travel all over North America searching yards and picking locations, looking for rusty relics and hidden treasures! - The link to the episode guide is on the homepage. DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE! |
| YOU CAN HELP! As you visit pages throughout the site, click or tap on some ads. Your help is FREE (no purchases necessary), but will be a great help in covering costs and bringing new content to the site! |
| Banner advertising has been added to every page on the website EXCEPT for this page, the Introduction page, and the memorial to Ray Neilson page. The revenue generated from this will go towards the costs of keeping Rollsign Gallery online, and any surplus will go towards new material. |
| This site is compatible with both desktop or laptop computers and smart phones or tablets. On smart phones or tablets, the site is best viewed with your device set to LANDSCAPE mode. |
| NOTE: This site uses encoding and watermarks to deter unwanted copying of photos and images. Share with security, knowing your images used will be protected! |
| ROLLSIGN GALLERY DOES ACCEPT PHYSICAL DONATIONS TO THE HISTORIC COLLECTION! If you have an estate that has transportation memorabilia, or just want your items or collection to go to a good home, don't auction it all off! Consider donating it to Rollsign Gallery. Your items will be preserved and you can have the peace of mind knowing it went to someone who appreciates it as much as you do! |
1/01
2024
What
was
new.
2024
What
was
new.
| ...directly to the HOME PAGE and access to all points of the website. |
| ...via the INTRODUCTION page to see how I got into transit history. |
► ONE NEW ROLLSIGN has been added to the Toronto, Ontario section, Wilson Garage. In addition, one new photo has also
been added. Both of these are accessed from the Toronto hub page through the Province of Ontario hub page.
been added. Both of these are accessed from the Toronto hub page through the Province of Ontario hub page.
► ONE NEW ROLLSIGN has been added to the York Region Transit section, Vaughan Division. It is accessed from the York
Region Transit hub page through the Ontario hub page. In addition, the division names of all York Region garages snd the
history of the Vaughan Garage has also been updated.
Region Transit hub page through the Ontario hub page. In addition, the division names of all York Region garages snd the
history of the Vaughan Garage has also been updated.
5/19
2024
What
was
new.
2024
What
was
new.
► The information for the Grand River Transit, Ontario rollsign has been rewritten with more accurate information than
available before. It is accessed through the Province of Ontario hub page.
available before. It is accessed through the Province of Ontario hub page.
► TWO NEW INFORMATION ARTICLES have been added to the Toronto, Ontario rollsign section: One explaining the
introduction of route numbers to rollsigns in the 1950s, and the other about an experimental electronic sign system
tested in the late 1970s. Both of these are accessed from the Toronto hub page through the Province of Ontario hub
page. (Scans of both of these articles were donated from someone who asked to remain anonymous.)
introduction of route numbers to rollsigns in the 1950s, and the other about an experimental electronic sign system
tested in the late 1970s. Both of these are accessed from the Toronto hub page through the Province of Ontario hub
page. (Scans of both of these articles were donated from someone who asked to remain anonymous.)
► ONE NEW SYSTEM has been added to the Province of Nova Scotia: Cape Breton (Sydney), with one new rollsign and
one new photo. With this addition, the Province of Nova Scotia now has its own hub page for Cape Breton and Halifax,
accessed of the North America map on the home page. (Thank you to Luke Olszewski for use of the photo.)
one new photo. With this addition, the Province of Nova Scotia now has its own hub page for Cape Breton and Halifax,
accessed of the North America map on the home page. (Thank you to Luke Olszewski for use of the photo.)
► TWO NEW ROLLSIGNS have been added to the Laval, Quebec page, along with one new photo. It is all accessed
through the Province of Quebec hub page.
through the Province of Quebec hub page.
► ONE NEW SYSTEM has been added to the State of Indiana: Marion, with two new rollsigns and two new photos. It is
accessed through the State of Indiana hub page.
accessed through the State of Indiana hub page.
► ONE NEW STATE IS NOW REPRESENTED: Oregon, with one new rollsign from Rogue Valley (Medford), along with one
new photo. It can be accesses through the Oregon state outline in the map on the home page. (Thank you to Josh
Thurman for donating the rollsign segments, and to Rogue Valley Transportation District for use of the photo.)
new photo. It can be accesses through the Oregon state outline in the map on the home page. (Thank you to Josh
Thurman for donating the rollsign segments, and to Rogue Valley Transportation District for use of the photo.)
► ONE NEW ROLLSIGN has been added to the Guelph, Ontario page. In addition, a full length and complete version of the
April 10, 1997 front sign was acquired for the collection. The image for this sign has been upgraded to display this full
length sign. This is all accessed through the Province of Ontario hub page.
April 10, 1997 front sign was acquired for the collection. The image for this sign has been upgraded to display this full
length sign. This is all accessed through the Province of Ontario hub page.
► ONE NEW TRANSIT SYSTEM is represented in the electronic sign list section: Baltimore, Maryland - September, 1998.
It is accessed through the D.C./Maryland hub page from the electronic sign hub page map of North America
It is accessed through the D.C./Maryland hub page from the electronic sign hub page map of North America
► The late John McDonnell was a transit historian and collector. When he passed away in 2019, he donated his rollsign
collection to Rollsign Gallery in person, and then after his passing through his final will and testament. These included a
few rollsigns he had custom made by Transign. Two of these custom rollsigns are displayed in a special section
dedicated to John McDonnell. It is accessed through the Intercity Carriers hub page.
collection to Rollsign Gallery in person, and then after his passing through his final will and testament. These included a
few rollsigns he had custom made by Transign. Two of these custom rollsigns are displayed in a special section
dedicated to John McDonnell. It is accessed through the Intercity Carriers hub page.
► FOUR NEW ROLLSIGNS have been added to the Gray Coach Lines page along with two new photos. In addition, a
detailed history of the system was added to the page. It can all be accessed through the Intercity Carriers hub page.
(Thank you to an anonymous donor for use of the photos.)
detailed history of the system was added to the page. It can all be accessed through the Intercity Carriers hub page.
(Thank you to an anonymous donor for use of the photos.)
► ONE NEW SYSTEM has been added to the State of Arizona: Tucson, with two new rollsigns. With these additions,
the State of Arizona now has its own hub page for Tucson and Phoenix, accessed of the North America map on the
home page. (Both the Tucosn rollsigns were donated to Rollsign Gallery from the late John McDonnell through his will.)
the State of Arizona now has its own hub page for Tucson and Phoenix, accessed of the North America map on the
home page. (Both the Tucosn rollsigns were donated to Rollsign Gallery from the late John McDonnell through his will.)
► TWO NEW ROLLSIGNS have been added to the Chicago, Illinois section: One from 77th Street Garage and one from
Forest Glen Garage. With these additions, the Chicago, Illinois rollsigns have been broken up into subsections for each
garage or service. All this can be accessed through the Illinois hub page. (The 77th Street Garage rollsign was donated
to Rollsign Gallery from the late John McDonnell through his will.)
Forest Glen Garage. With these additions, the Chicago, Illinois rollsigns have been broken up into subsections for each
garage or service. All this can be accessed through the Illinois hub page. (The 77th Street Garage rollsign was donated
to Rollsign Gallery from the late John McDonnell through his will.)
► The information for the A & C Bus Corporation (Jersey City, New Jersey) page has been rewritten with more accurate
information than available before, and updated to include the system's discontinuation. It is accessed through the State
of New Jersey hub page.
information than available before, and updated to include the system's discontinuation. It is accessed through the State
of New Jersey hub page.
► ONE NEW CARRIER has been added to the Intercity Carrier's section: Starr Tours (Trenton, New Jersey) with one new
rollsign and one photo. They can be accessed through the Intercity Carriers hub page. (The actual sign and use of the
photo were donated to Rollsign Gallery by Peter Huffman. Thank you!)
rollsign and one photo. They can be accessed through the Intercity Carriers hub page. (The actual sign and use of the
photo were donated to Rollsign Gallery by Peter Huffman. Thank you!)
► ONE NEW SIGN MANUFACTURER is represented in the electronic sign collection section: Ferranti-Packard, the
inventor of flipdot technology, with several representations of the various flipdot and fiber optic signs they
manufactured throughout their existence. It is all accessed through the Electronic Sign hub page.
inventor of flipdot technology, with several representations of the various flipdot and fiber optic signs they
manufactured throughout their existence. It is all accessed through the Electronic Sign hub page.
► Other general updates to the website have been done behind the scenes, such as updating rollsign counts for each
web page, and altering the coding of the web pages to make their formatting more compatible for each of PC, tablet and
smart phone viewing.
web page, and altering the coding of the web pages to make their formatting more compatible for each of PC, tablet and
smart phone viewing.
► ONE NEW ROLLSIGN has been added to the Dayton, Ohio page . It is accessed through the State of Ohio hub page.
► ONE NEW CARRIER has been added to the Intercity Carrier's section: Central West Tours (Chicago, Illinois) with one new
rollsign, two new photos and system history. It can be accessed through the Intercity Carriers hub page.
rollsign, two new photos and system history. It can be accessed through the Intercity Carriers hub page.
► ONE NEW ELECTRONIC SIGN LIST and one photo have been added to the Province of Ontario: York Region Transit / VIVA
(June 28, 2020). It is accessed through the Ontario hub page in the Electronic Sign section.
(June 28, 2020). It is accessed through the Ontario hub page in the Electronic Sign section.
► ONE NEW ELECTRONIC SIGN LIST has been added to the State of Pennsylvania: Philadelphia (February 8, 2023). It is
accessed through the Pennsylvania hub page in the Electronic Sign section.
accessed through the Pennsylvania hub page in the Electronic Sign section.
► A HUGE NEW SECTION has been added to Rollsign Gallery! This new section contains scans of printed sales brochures
from various rollsign and electronic sign manufacturers in North America. 67 DOCUMENTS posted over 125 SCANS! The
new hub page and section can all be accessed from the home page in the space the Transign Manuals used to be in, and
from the electronic sign hub page, replacing the software screenshot link. The two Transign Manuals can still be accessed
through the Transign page in this new section.
from various rollsign and electronic sign manufacturers in North America. 67 DOCUMENTS posted over 125 SCANS! The
new hub page and section can all be accessed from the home page in the space the Transign Manuals used to be in, and
from the electronic sign hub page, replacing the software screenshot link. The two Transign Manuals can still be accessed
through the Transign page in this new section.
► ONE NEW SYSTEM has been added to the State of California: Santa Rosa, with one new rollsign and the system history. It
is accessed through the State of California hub page. (The rollsign was donated to Rollsign Gallery from the late John
McDonnell through his will.)
is accessed through the State of California hub page. (The rollsign was donated to Rollsign Gallery from the late John
McDonnell through his will.)
► ONE NEW SYSTEM has been added to the Province of Ontario: Atomic Energy of Canada (Chalk River) along with one
new photo. It is accessed through the Province of Ontario hub page.
new photo. It is accessed through the Province of Ontario hub page.
► ONE NEW ROLLSIGN has been added to the Edmonton, Alberta page. It is accessed through the Province of Alberta hub
page.
page.
► ONE NEW ROLLSIGN has been added to the Kitchener, Ontario section (Page 1) . It is accessed through the Province of
Ontario hub page. (The rollsign was donated to Rollsign Gallery from the late John McDonnell through his will.)
Ontario hub page. (The rollsign was donated to Rollsign Gallery from the late John McDonnell through his will.)
► ONE NEW ROLLSIGN has been added to the Kenosha, Wisconsin page . It is accessed through the State of Wisconsin
hub page.
hub page.
► ONE NEW CARRIER has been added to the Intercity Carrier's section: Gray Line Tours - Chicago (Illinois) with two new
rollsigns and two new photos. They can be accessed through the Intercity Carriers hub page.
rollsigns and two new photos. They can be accessed through the Intercity Carriers hub page.
► ONE NEW ELECTRONIC SIGN LIST and one photo have been added to the State of Michigan: Marquette (January, 2013). It
is accessed through the Michigan hub page in the Electronic Sign section.
is accessed through the Michigan hub page in the Electronic Sign section.
► ONE NEW ELECTRONIC SIGN LIST and two photos have been added to the State of Virginia: Fredericksburg (Unknown
date). It is accessed through the Virginia hub page in the Electronic Sign section.
date). It is accessed through the Virginia hub page in the Electronic Sign section.
► ONE NEW ELECTRONIC SIGN has been added to the Luminator page of the Electronic Sign Gallery section. It is
accessed through the Electronic Sign hub page.
accessed through the Electronic Sign hub page.
► ONE NEW ELECTRONIC SIGN LIST and two photos have been added to the Luminator stock program section (May, 2012).
It is accessed from the "Other Companies and Carriers" section at the bottom of the Electronic Signs home page..
It is accessed from the "Other Companies and Carriers" section at the bottom of the Electronic Signs home page..
► SOCIAL MEDIA: Rollsign Gallery now has a TikTok account for sharing spur of the moment videos and educational
content. Actual content is to be determined as it's still new. It is accessed through the TikTok logo above, or from the one
on the home page. PLEASE FOLLOW
content. Actual content is to be determined as it's still new. It is accessed through the TikTok logo above, or from the one
on the home page. PLEASE FOLLOW
► ONE NEW ROLLSIGN insert segment has been added to the Oshawa Transit section (Page 2). This actual segment
replaces the photocopied image that existed before. It is accessed through the Province of Ontario hub page. (The rollsign
segment was donated to Rollsign Gallery from the late John McDonnell through his will.)
replaces the photocopied image that existed before. It is accessed through the Province of Ontario hub page. (The rollsign
segment was donated to Rollsign Gallery from the late John McDonnell through his will.)
► ONE NEW CARRIER has been added to the Intercity Carrier's section: Blue Bird Coach Lines (Western New York State)
with one new rollsign, one new photo and system history. It can be accessed through the Intercity Carriers hub page.
(The rollsign was graciously donated to Rollsign Gallery by Peter Huffman. Thank you!)
with one new rollsign, one new photo and system history. It can be accessed through the Intercity Carriers hub page.
(The rollsign was graciously donated to Rollsign Gallery by Peter Huffman. Thank you!)
| A HUGE NEW SECTION has been added to Rollsign Gallery! This new section contains scans of printed sales brochures from various rollsign and electronic sign manufacturers in North America. 67 DOCUMENTS posted over 125 SCANS! Check it out! |