FLT CREW OF E145 CROSS RWY 31 HOLD SHORT LINE AT MDT WITHOUT CLRNC.

Narrative

WHILE TAXIING TO RWY 31 AT MDT; WE INADVERTENTLY CROSSED THE HOLD SHORT LINE FOR RWY 31 PRIOR TO CONTACTING TWR FOR TKOF CLRNC. THERE WERE NO OTHER ACFT IN THE VICINITY AT THE TIME AND NO HAZARD EXISTED FOR OUR OR ANY OTHER ACFT. THE MAJOR CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE VERY UNUSUAL DISTANCE (APPROX 300 FT) OF THE HOLD SHORT LINE FROM THE END OF THE RWY. IN MY 11 YRS OF FLYING EXPERIENCE; THAT IS THE GREATEST HOLD SHORT LINE-TO-RWY DISTANCE I HAVE EVER SEEN. OTHER FACTORS INCLUDE: 1) TIME OF DAY (DUSK) AND ANGLE OF SUN MADE SEEING YELLOW HOLD LINE ON TXWY DIFFICULT. 2) THERE WAS NO RED/WHITE HOLD SIGN ON R SIDE OF TXWY WHERE IT IS EASIER FOR A FO TO SEE. TO PREVENT THESE TYPES OF OCCURRENCES AT THIS AND SIMILAR LOCATIONS WHERE THE HOLD SHORT LINE IS IN AN UNUSUAL PLACE: 1) INSTALL RED/WHITE HOLD SHORT SIGNS ON BOTH SIDES OF TXWYS FOR BOTH CREW MEMBERS TO SEE. 2) INSTALL FLASHING YELLOW LIGHTS NEAR HOLD SIGNS TO DRAW MORE ATTN TO THEM. 3) WORKLOAD PERMITTING; GND CTL COULD REMIND CREWS OF THE UNUSUAL POS OF THE HOLD SHORT LINE.