Odd Names For Towns and Businesses

[JCasey]

I am originally from PA, and as Nick probably knows, there are also towns named Blue Ball and Bird-in-Hand, for real. Hmmmmmm.

[Anonymous]

I have run across: Beecher Meat Co., Lumpy Flats, Roger's Shrubberies (for Monty Python fans only). My 2 Ntrak modules are based on MR's "Port of Los Angeles" HO module (1994?) but since I had recently aquired a DeLux Innovations cast resin N scale porta-potty, I couldn't resist naming my terminal what else? The "Port of Paughty"

[leighant]

Real towns in South Texas
Papalote ("windmill")
Ganado ("cattle")
Blessing (Post Office would not approve the name "thank God!")
Swinnery Switch (hoping to attract a railroad that never came)
Realitos (sounds like Spanish for "reality" but actually means royal encampment. The reality factor is that it was once the once place on the length of the Texas Mexican where trains over a certain length could pass.)
Magnet

Towns named after kids not realistic? How about "Miranda City" Texas on the Texas Mexican.

Hard to beat real names-- except where the postal or other authorities have nixed them.

[mtrails]

I named the town on my first layout Arrville, after my friend and I built it "Arrselves".

[jfallon]

Thanks to the wonderful line of HO scale construction equipment available from Norscot and other's, I decided that my Tidewater and Albemarle Railroad (no abbreviations allowed!) needed to have a team track by a general contractor, Ricky Diaz Construction. As soon as he gets his medical license, Ricky's son Payne will be opening his proctology practice.

The railroad also serves Fossel Fuels, a coal and oil dealer. There was an abandoned gas station that became a country & western bar after I bought some small hat pins with built in flashing lights. It was going to be named Pistol Dawn (Drink 'til midnight, Pistol Dawn), but then I picked up an IHC pizza shop at an auction that fit right next door. The bar must now be called ... Spaghetti Western!

[wjstix]

Rusty - isn't that shubber's shop next to the Knights Who Say Ni Hall ??

There was a real business in St.Paul MN called "AMHOIST" from it's full name, AMerican HOIST and derrick. I've thought I might do a company called "AMSCRAY" for a scrap dealer called AMerican SCRAp Yard co.

But there are a lot of funny names in real life. A block away from me used to be a plumbing co. in a building called the Annis Building. Guess those plumbers got to the bottom of the problem?? A model railroad business called Model Stone would seem like a joke, but there is one about a mile from me in Minneapolis MN.

NW Minnesota has cities called Fertile and Climax...guess you could include Moorhead.[:O]

BTW don't forget, railroads use cities and states in their names, but some cities were named after railroads, like Centralia IL (Illinois Central RR) and St.Louis Park MN (Minneapolis & St. Louis RR).

[wjstix]

p.s. Canadian-born actor Raymond Massey narrated Northern Pacific's 100th anniversary LP, "A Thousand Miles of Mountains", in 1964. Hal Linden sang on the record.

[rrinker]

QUOTE: Originally posted by JCasey

I am originally from PA, and as Nick probably knows, there are also towns named Blue Ball and Bird-in-Hand, for real. Hmmmmmm.

And not to slight Virginville....

[barfeedbob2]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Greyryder

My layout represents the outskirts of the town of Serling (after Rod Serling) on the Hobb Creek subdivision. Hobb being loosely translated from Old English as something that goes bump in the night. (like a hobbgoblin) I'd like to eventually expand the layout to include the towns of Ellison (Harlan Ellison) and King. (Stephen King)

Not that I'm the first person to use hobb in the name of a place where things aren't quite right. The movie "In the Mouth of Madness" mostly took place in the fictional village of Hobbs End, and one or two older British movies featured a street named Hobbs Lane. (Though, I have reason to believe there used to be a real Hobbs Lane, but it has long since been renamed.)

As long as there is No Derry Maine on your layout....

[barfeedbob2]

Real groaners, some inspired by others, some originals, all planned into my NS Hocking Division HO scale layout....

B and E Locksmiths
Dewey Cheatham and Howe (Attorneys at Law)
Dr. Ima Buchiere (Be sure you check out his license...)
Royal Flush Plumbers ... A straight flush beats a full House (This is an actual company in Florence Kentucky)
Pairodyce Motors (a used car lot with questionable looking vehicles)
Strahan, Umphe and Fliryte Aviation Products
Stanken and Schlossen Septic Service
Band - Aid Station (a music store)
Squintyeye and Munchee's Head Shop (Kids ask your parents)
Deep Kah (A new age councelling service for the seriously disturbed)
Snuggle Bunny's (an, ahem, "gentleman's" club)
Speed Trap, West Virginia (a very small fictional town along my mainline)
Lokupp, West Virginia (Home of the County Jail)

[ukguy]

I still like my creation ..

R.Sole Cleaning Supplies - a toilet paper distributer,

and here is the thread it spawned, some good names in here...

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=34133

Have fun & be safe
Karl.

[miniwyo]

Ther is a guy in the club i am in who made 2 buildings right next to eachother The Mason Building and the Dixon Building, The Mason building having blue trim and the Dixion having grey trim. The Mason also has Air Conditioning. He also has Honest Willys Used Cars, W.J.B. Clinton Proprieter as a crummy used car lot.

I am paying homage ot where i live, and I am making an oil field scene, I was thinking of putting the drilling company as O,I, & L Drilling Co. or G,A,&S Drilling Co.

[Anonymous]

I have the LAZY SS Ranch........

Brad

[Anonymous]

A real town in Missouri

Pecular

Pronounced

pe·cu·liar ( P ) Pronunciation Key (p-kylyr)
adj.
Unusual or eccentric; odd.
Distinct from all others. See Synonyms at strange.
Belonging distinctively or primarily to one person, group, or kind; special or unique: rights peculiar to the rich; a species peculiar to this area.

[Anonymous]

How about the Miracle Chair Company? On the side wall was the company motto, "If It's A Good Chair, It's a Miracle". That's from a MR photo over 50 years ago.

[nbrodar]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rrinker

QUOTE: Originally posted by JCasey

I am originally from PA, and as Nick probably knows, there are also towns named Blue Ball and Bird-in-Hand, for real. Hmmmmmm.

And not to slight Virginville....

Blue Ball and Bird-in-Hand I am familar with. I did have to get out the map to find Virginville (it's a few miles west of Allentown.)

Nick

[reklein]

I gotta add mine,its Collier Bluffs and Poker River RR

[Anonymous]

Here are a couple of real ones. I'm not making this up...I promise.

New Orleans has a chain of meat markets owned my a guy named Wagner. The signs say "You can't beat Wagner's meat."

There's also a new Chinese food restaurant in Humble, Texas run my a guy named Fu. The problem was he named his restaurant Fu King's Chinese Food. I think something got lost in the translation.

Truth is stranger than fiction....

[vsmith]

in the back corner of my layout is Madamme Orr's House

[Anonymous]

I live right near a real town called Pleasantville. I kid you not. Knew a girl who's real name was Candy Surprise (I'm still laughing at that one).

[R. T. POTEET]

I'm toying with a coal hauler/bridge route a la L&N. On my pike there will be a town called Rokan and in Rokan there is a bakery - the Rokan Bakery of course - and every morning the proprietor of the Rokan Bakery bakes up a big batch of his world famous ........ Think about it!!!!!

[pcarrell]

We have a septic company around here called "Hunny Dippers".

[Anonymous]

I was in a small town the other day and the faded sign on the abbonded coal dealer said Ol King Coal co.

[rrinker]

QUOTE: Originally posted by nbrodar

QUOTE: Originally posted by rrinker

QUOTE: Originally posted by JCasey

I am originally from PA, and as Nick probably knows, there are also towns named Blue Ball and Bird-in-Hand, for real. Hmmmmmm.

And not to slight Virginville....

Blue Ball and Bird-in-Hand I am familar with. I did have to get out the map to find Virginville (it's a few miles west of Allentown.)

Nick

Yeah right down the road from me.

[twcenterprises]

Here's my list of potential names:

A B Used Cars
A. S. Saultin Bailbonds - 24hrs
Al Kemmie Scientific Products
Anson Depance Industries
April Fuel Co
Argyle Mouthwash, "The Argyle Gargle"
Askin Leather Co
Ayre's Chairs
Baldy's Barbershop
Ball, Hitte & Thoreau Sports Equipment
Barnstead Lumber Co
Belgo Dinghy Co
Belle 'N' Tines
Berne Bros Fuel Co
Berry & Rich Banking Co
Binford Tools
Blackstone Coal Co
Bland & Bland Spice Co
Bluenose Refrigeration Co
Bob Nay Horses & Mules
Boylan Bagel Co
Boyle & Doe Bagel Factory
Boyle-Dinn Oil Co
Brakel Eggs
Brokendowner Appliance Co
Buckleme Shoe Co
Bud Wiser Funeral Home ("The King Of Biers")
Bulkless Weight Loss Clinic
Burn-Moore Fire Extinguisher Co
Camelot Crowns
Cape Able & Port Entious Rr
Carr & Bunkle Skin Care Lotion
Carrie A. Baskette Picnic Supplies
Carrybasket Wholesale Grocery Co
Carter's Little River Mills
Chapter 11 Publishers
Cheatham, Cumming And Goin, Attorneys-At-Law
Church Of Perpetual Responsibility
Coalburn's Furnace Co
Coldwater Ice Co
Come On Inn
Cracker Bros Feed Mill
Curl Up And Dye Salon
Currier Courier
Dan D. Lyons Herbicides
Dee Pickell's Delicatessen
Deli Button
Dewey, Cheatham, & Howe: CPA
Dicker & Dicker Trading Co
Diggers Funeral Home
Dill's Pickles
Doolittle Mfg
Dr Phil Mccavety, Dentist
Dr. Barium
Dr. Letsa Kalmdown, Psychiatrist, Upstairs
Dr. Needles
Dr. Payne
Dr. Rash
Drane & Fields Septic Service
Dribbler No-Leak Fountain Pens
Ducko Cement ("We Fix The Quacks In Your Patio")
Dulle & Witte Theatrical Agency
Dunmore Engineering Co
Dunn Processing
Dyer Funeral Home
E. M. Balmer: Casket Company
E. X. Pensive: Plating And Milling: (Chrome, Gold, And Titanium A Specialty)
Eastern Div Of Westerly Maps And Supplies
Eima F. Raud - Palmist
Emma Bezzler, Head Cashier
Endoline Funeral Home
Eric Wolfgang Gold Corn
Erie Costume Supply
Eyther Ore Co
Fedups Freight Co
Fibber Glaston Roofing Co
Fillmore Diesel Facility
Finchbird Pet Store
Flatte Ribbon Co
Fluer-De-Lonesome Perfumery
Flushington Toilet Co
Flushonya Toilet Co
Flushya Toilet Co
Frenda Mine
Fruntz And Backus Pickle Co
Frybern Stove Works
Fuller Beenz Natural Gas Co
Gallows Rope And Cordage Co
Gargle Oil Co
Gateman, Goodbury, & Graves Funeral Home
Getz Gas Co
Gil Finn's Aquarium Supplies
Glacier Gravel Co
Goie-Nunder Mfg
Goza-Ganstha Grain
Granny Smith's Cider Mill
Green Bay Packing
Gripp's Luggage
Gross Assumption College
Guido's Tuxedos
Hang Glider Rides And Trap Shooting
Happy Rhodes Map Co
Hardley-Abel Retirement Home
Hardly-Abel Mfg Co
Hart-Bernend Gas
Hartoogetoo Convenience Stores
Heyer Elevators
Hissen Radiator Repair
Holdur, Tyte & Tosteppe Rr
Holsom Food Co
Honest John's Fine Preowned Automobiles-J. Dalton Prop
Horth Pith Brewery
Hunky & Dory, Claims Adjuster
Hyde & Seekum, Private Investigations
I. B. Wilted Produce Co
I. C. Nostain Furniture Co
Icu Mirror Co
Instant Antiques: "Antiques Made While You Wait"
Keyless Piano Sales And Service
James T. Kirk Enterprises
Jerry Rigg's Service Station
John's Radiators: The Best Place In Town To Take A Leak
Juncke's Dept Store
Kahn Fuses
Kalmback And Waitte, Attorneys
Katz Mousetraps
Kav Yatemptor's Kosher Bakery
Kellopost Cereal Co
Klamm's Shell Station
Knight's Oil (As In "Night Soil", Farm Gasoline,Diesel, And Fertilizer Dealer)
Know-Grow Seeds
Lastchance Finance Co
Lawn Ranger (Lawn Mowing)
Lawson Gaine, Stockbroker
Lefton Finished Furniture
Lei-Kei Shipyards
Les S. Moore Service Co
Leshader Glass Co
Lithium Pharmaceuticals
Los Gatos Chile Con Carne
Loston Foundry
Loudon-Noyes Mfg
Lowdown Coal Co
Luser Sweepers & Brooms
M T Arms Hotel
M. Burr Wayza Grain Co
Major Prophets Religious Bookstore
Mangold Office Supplies
Marion-Haste Family Planning
Mcdirt Laundry Soap
Mel O. Durris Chemicals
Mellon & Ryppe Produce Co
Milkett Creamery
Murray Maile Computer Communications
N O Payne Dds, Dentistry, Upstairs
N. Onnimus, Inc
N. Sahl Vents & Ductworks
N. Veetro Fertilizers ("The Makers Of Fly-Bye Nitrogen")
Neufelt Mattress Co
Neville E Ject
Nickles & Dymz, Cpa's And Accountants
Noah's Arc Welding
Noah Goode Dry Cleaning And Laundry
Noah Payne Dds, Dentistry, Upstairs
Norman Auld Fuel Co. ("There's No Fuel Like N. Auld Fuel")
Norypple Corrugated Ironworks
O'lang-Zyne Corp
Old Factory Smelting
Olden Fuel Co ("There's No Fuel Like Olden Fuel")
Outtaheer Travel Agency
Owen Upp, Pastor
P C Downe Computer Supplies
Perry Noid Alarm Systems
Perry Shibbel Fruits And Produce Co
Pflatt Tire Company
Phar Outs Smoke Shop
Phil Mccracken Concrete Co
Phydeaux Premium Dog Food
Pig Butte Packing Co
Pint-O-Pucker" Pickles
Pladd Paint Co
Planck's Lumber ("You Can Depend On Planck's Constant Quality")
Poole-Mayphinger Natural Gas
Poor Texaco Service
R. E. Gretz Party Supplies
R. E. Lodz: Guns And Ammo
R. U. Rinsing Laundry Equipment
R. U. Wobbling Ceiling Fan Co
Radish Snack Electronics
Raisin River
Red Ryppe Tomato Co
Red Tyler Roofing Co
Reidmore's Tv Shop
Rhea Produce
Ride-Rite Saddle Co
Robres & Thevas Burglar Alarms
Rollin Tire Co
Sam 'n' Ella's Cafe
Sandy Berry's Fresh Fruit Farms
Sawdustville Cabinet Shop
Scheister, Cheehauter, & Schwindler: Personal Injury Specialists
Scottie's Alligator Farm And Petting Zoo: Bring The Kids And Feed The 'Gators
Sellsum Insurance Agency
Selmore Insurance Agency
Seymour Katz, DMV
Shampoodle
Sheesa Makwavy Beauty Salon
Sign: Eat & Get Gas
Sign: GROCERIES - PRODUCE - GAS
Simon The Pieman
Skidmore Wax Co
Slyde, Skidmore And Screech, Attorneys-At-Law
Snake, Addar, & Krate: Divorce Attys
Sneed's Feeds
Sparks Fire Extinguishers
Spittin Rock Mine
Spotted Owl Lumber Company
Spotted Owl Timber Company
Stareupa Dress Mfg Co
Staves Barrel Mfg Co
Staymon & Winesap Wholesale Apples
Steel And Hyde, P.A. (Law Firm)
Stradlin Fence Co
Suchard Candy Co
Talksic Chemicals
Tayle & Mayne Feed Supply Co
Tayle & Mayne Feed Supply Co
Teaux Main Cannery
The Apex And Hypotenuse Rr
The Barking Lot, Dog Grooming
The Button Works
The I. M. Boring Corp
The Loo Line: Outdoor Conveniences
Threadwell Textiles
Thrust & Parry Fence Co
Ticky-Tacky Box Co
Tilly A Hill Farm Equipment Co
Tiny Tots Nursery (Potato Seedlings)
Titanic Sinks
Toot 'N' C'mon Inn
Tootsie Roller Co
Toscanini Semiconductors
Union Division Of Consolidated Industries
Upson Downs Roller Coasters
Vaig Enterprises
Volla Tile & Flooring
Vurman Pesticides
W. E. Snatchem Detective Agency
W. E. Snatchem Wrecker Service
Warren T. Voyd, Inc
Wasche & Ayrn Clothing Co
Waste Away (Garbage Hauler)
Watt's Lighting Co
Welch Betting Systems
Wellen-Dowd Ladies' Undergarments
Wendy Day's Kite Shoppe
Wheezy's Tobacco Shop
Will M Bark Travel
Wischer's Washer Co
Wunza Nuff Mfg Co
Yanke-Gohoam Travel Agency
Zeebolt Lightning Rod Co

Brad

[MStLfan]

Some real town names I came across:
Truth or Consequences (halfway between El Paso, Texas and Albuquerque New Mexico on the Rio Grande (the river), also a BNSF railline i believe.
Last Chance, east of Denver in Colorado (80 miles east?).
What Cheer, Iowa, had a Rock Island branch and C&NW's Southern Iowa coal line went through. Also, it is the end of the line for an old engineer and his locomotive from the B&O in a story.
A guy in England had a small Rock island exhibition layout named Hope, Illinois. When his wife gave him a card with the following text: I felt much better when I gave up hope, he knew what to do.
greetings,
Marc Immeker

[bnnrailroad]

There is a town in western Maryland called Accident. Apparently, two surveyors were looking to start a new town. Both of them picked the same area, by Accident!

[Anonymous]

I still remember the first time I saw a truck for Fluke Transport. The motto was "If it's on time, it's a Fluke." *** near fell off my bicycle I laughed so hard. Can't beat that one, it works whether or not the shipment is on time. "Whaddya mean you're mad your parcel is late, I told you it'd be a fluke if it was on time!"

Then there's Blue Ball, DE, which is a hop, skip and a jump from Loveville as the crow flys, but there's no direct road joining them. Just south of Loveville is the town of (I kid you not) Coffee Run

[markpierce]

What a gift it was that the most popular Walthers coal tipple has decals for "Pierce Mining Co." Are you not surprised that's the major industry on my planned layout? Nevertheless, I kitbashed the model into a mineral - not coal -processing plant.

[MisterBeasley]

On Beaver Creek Blvd in Avon, Colorado there's a liquor store. You can guess the name.