I'm currently struggling with business/shop names, some examples here.

[mecovey]

Some of the businesses on my railroad include:
Allard Ice (ice dock and plant named for my wife's maiden name "Allardyce")
NICOAL (New Island Coal at New Island, WV) named for my daughter Nicole
Brit & Ehine Coal and Lumber (named for my grandaughter Brittany Nicole)
Black Beauty Consolidate Coal (named for the product we use as live loads in hopper cars i.e. Black Beauty)

[rf16a]

A train club I visited at one time had a business called Lennon and McCartney's Rubber Soles, named after The Beatles album Rubber Soul.

On my round to it/ someday/ maby/ list, I was going to do an Acme Manufacturing Co. building, with Wile E. Coyote walking up the front steps. Road Runner would be behind the desk in the front office.

I may name some of my industries after family and friends.

On a friends layout, we have a few places named in honor of deceased friends who were members of our informal club.

[BRJN]

Speaking of Warner Bros animated characters...

My dad is about to retire from a railroading career. To celebrate, we kids are thinking about building him a model railroad. My proposed theme (which I haven't passed around yet) is "What if Penn Central had worked?" This is because Dad used to be a PC employee.

What if is fun because you can play with real facts. C&O used to use RoadRailer stuff back in 1950s but dropped it. In 1971 they sold the patents &c. Suppose the Penn Central diversification unit had picked up the new company and put it to work.

Also suppose a vandal (management opinion) or grafitti artist (local shop opinion) decies to paint a famous character on the long side of a locomotive. With a little serendipity and creative insubordination, the next RoadRailer train leaving town could have the RoadRunner on its engine. Hence the service's new nickname. [^]

To beat the joke over the head, we could invite the grafitti artist back to paint Wile E Coyote, running fast and straining hard, on the side of a caboose. [:D]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ukguy

Well Im at the point where I am being held up by creating business/shop names with humour for my town. I cant weather (or rather attempt to weather) the buildings until I have the name decals on the walls and such.

Here a a couple of the ones I have come up with.

R.Sole Cleaning Supplies [:D]
Rhydes Motorcycles

I think Rhydes could be too corny, maybe ?

I am also using family names and interests to create some. ie, my wife makes wedding cakes and is a caterer so carols corner cafe (DPM) will become 'Kim's Cakes' with a window display of tiny wedding cakes.

I would be inerested to know what names do you have on your layouts.

Have fun & be safe
Karl.

What about a Law Firm or Holding company named: Locke, Stocke & Barrele or of course the old chestnut Dewey, Cheatum & Howe.

[Rotorranch]

Seymore Butz, proctologist! [:0]

Rotor

[BRAKIE]

One thing about corny and jokey names..They soon get tiresome..Not meaning any offence to anybody none of the names I read in this topic would come close to being used on my layout..The reason being I give my industries and small business names that sounds real-even if I need to use the yellow pages for ideas and then change the business names like so,Elwoods Plumbing would be change to say Brownie's Plumbing and Brownie's Bakery would become Elwood's Baked Goods--Best *** Donuts inTown!

[Anonymous]

I agree that corny names get tiresome after a while, but I still get a laugh at a good pun. So maybe not on my layout, but I do appreciate them on other layouts.

That being said, remember there is a prototype for everything!

Here in Milwaukee, there was a butcher shop on Becher Street called Becher Meats. Which is not funny until you realize that Becher is pronounced Beecher here in Milwaukee. [:D]

Like I said, not for me, but that one is Tempting.

Paul

[grandeman]

You could always have a Robb, Cheatam, and Steele Law office.

I've seen that before (not in the hobby) and mean absolutely no disrespect to Dave Kelly or anyone else.

[Anonymous]

The late Art Curren probally used more tongue and cheek names then anyone, his kitbashing book is full of them, I may use one myself, but will also add family and lots of old style names. It's a good idea to name some busineeses after the town you're modeling also, to give the area an identity. Tongue and cheek name; Wood and Nickel.Novelties.

[jeffshultz]

Fans of the MacKenzie Bros. will recognize an Elsinore Brewery... and there is a pool shop in Salem, OR, about 3 storefronts back from the tracks, that is called the Cue Ball.

I'm going to tend to go prototype on mine as much as I can.

[stokesda]

Although not inherently funny, I always thought it would be cool to use names from songs. Examples are:

The Sad Cafe - from an Eagles song
The Sunset Grill - from a Don Henley song (there's actual Sunset Grills all over the place)
The Y'all Come Back Saloon - from an Oak Ridge Boys song

I also have a few street names in mind:

Seven Bridges Rd - another Eagles song
Allison Rd - Gin Blossoms song
Sullivan St - Counting Crows song

Cheers,

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Jeff Hartman
Here is my cortobution. If you have a medical complex, Dr. Glassman - optometrist (really exists here in Cincinnati), Dr. Paine - dentist, Dr. McCracken - chiropractor and Dr. Hartman - cardiologist (not me, I am another optometrist).

And let us not forget Dr. Smorgasboard, General Practitioner.

I'd also suggest...
McGuffin Investigations & Security
Clear Fields Logging

[Anonymous]

The really blatant puns would get old quickly. I do like the idea of using names from local history and favorite songs, movies & books. Some tongue in cheek humor is fine if you don't club people over the head with it.

Springer Check Cashing (you may have to be from Cincinnati when we had our Boy Mayor to get that one)

R. Rogers Taxidermy ( Roy lived in Cincinnati in the 1920's. Remember his desire to be stuffed & mounted on Trigger?)

Holme's Consulting (On the second story of a building on Baker Street)

And for the freelanced town on my layout, Roarke's Drift. Population 4130 (Michael Cain's first movie)

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by paugust

I agree that corny names get tiresome after a while, but I still get a laugh at a good pun. So maybe not on my layout, but I do appreciate them on other layouts.

That being said, remember there is a prototype for everything!

Here in Milwaukee, there was a butcher shop on Becher Street called Becher Meats. Which is not funny until you realize that Becher is pronounced Beecher here in Milwaukee. [:D]

Like I said, not for me, but that one is Tempting.

Paul

From Milwaukee, one of my favorites is Medusa Cement. Real company, which can be seen from the Empire Builder as it approaches the depot. I think Walthers made a model of it.

I have a different take on lock, stock and barrel.

Lox, Stock & Barrel - Fine Deli Products

[dinner]

This one is from the strange but true department. When my father was growing up, there was a guy that lived down the block from him named Stein. He was in the fur business. "What's so funny about that?", you ask. Well his first name was Frank, middle initial N. Put it all together and his business card read, "Frank N. Stein --- Dealer in hides and furs". Swear to God the honest truth. Dad loves telling that story.

[Seamonster]

IMHO punny names can become tiresome and worn out after a while, although I do enjoy "translating" the ones I see and I will use a few myself. I've named some of the businesses after relatives: my son did stand-up comedy for a number of years so I named a comedy club after him, my wife's uncles are retired farmers and ranchers so I named a feed & grain after one of them, and I named a lingeree store after my daughter (don't worry, she's all grown up and doesn't mind), a toy store after one of my grandchildren, and so on.

[BRJN]

QUOTE: Originally posted by stokesda
I also have a few street names in mind:

Needmore Road (prototype: Dayton OH)

Post this sign where the pavement ends and the road becomes a dirt track.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by TEFFY

The name of the town at the end of my branchline is Podunk. An old name for small towns.

Bob

My Simmons Pacific railroad starts its branch in Podunk Junction.
If you really want to get some good names watch Looney Tunes you will even find products named after the directors like signs that say Drink Frizz, since Frizz Frealing was a director. Some of the best ones are in the western towns like the Last Chance Saloon followed by the Next to Last Chance Saloon, and finally the Fat Chance Saloon, or the Rigger O' Mortis the Smiling Undertaker. Somewhere I heard of a undertaker with the motto You Plug 'em we plant 'em. On my layout I have the Second Class Saloon, the Suds Bucket (a biker bar), and the Walton and Sons Lumber Company (with the motto A yard of good lumber. I have seen others with more subtlety, like Rusty's Junk Yard. How about Garfield’s Italian food, or Chuck's Barbershop(since Charlie Browns Dad was a Barber).
James[C):-)]
P.S. As you drive along the one of the Highways out here there is a neon sign with just the words EAT GAS. One wonders if this is the consequence of eating there, what they sell, or what you are supposed to eat.

[Anonymous]

Count me in the punny class, perhaps because I am a groan man.....

I have Shouza Cement, Lee KIng Plumbing, Viagra Steel Rod Producers, Carrie Oakey Music Company, Poe-Lutin Chemicals, Eaton Ales, Sam 'N Ellah's Food Warehouse, Reily -Bigg Warehouse, etc. While not an industry, I also have a railroad place named "Gozin Tunnel." There are more, but they aren't printable, its late, and I'm tired.

[Anonymous]

Ole King and Sons Coal (walthers makes this. I always thought it would be a good idea to have Vulcan Manufactoring, also a walthers, but to have the slogan "Always a Logical Choice". Another good thing I saw in Train Simulator: the Up and Down Burger Joint.
Mc Wendy's Senior (Has a star with sunglasses). Union 67. A billboard that says: Dammitol the route builders choice for pain relief.

[Anonymous]

I have a few which I use first names...Barb's Harley-Davidson, Hal's Hardware, and Stevie's Spas. Hope this helps

[AntonioFP45]

How about a Latin Cuisine resteraunt that serves good food "with a kick". [:0]

"Julio's Casa de Fuego!"

On top of the roof.....a bilboard showing an artist rendition of a guy shooting a 10 foot long flame out of his mouth!!!! [:0][B)][:p][(-D]

[andrechapelon]

Here's a few more.

Andy's Septic Services - "Your number 2 problem is our number 1 business".

Alternately - "We're number 1 in the number 2 business"

Phartz and Howe Baked Beans.

Shawkinah Electric Company - "Let us get into your shorts"

Vi-Agra Building Renovators - "You put it up. We make sure it stays that way"

Andre

[andrechapelon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

How about a Mexican resteraunt that serves good food "with a kick".

"Julio's Casa de Fuego!"

Up on US 50 near Placerville, there used to be a gas station with an attached restaurant whose sign read "Eat Here - Get Gas".

Andre

[Anonymous]

I can't believe no has mentioned one of my favorites, W.E. Snatchem, Undertakers.
It's from an E.L. Moore article in RMC many years ago. I think one of the manufacturers used the design and name for a plastic HO building. I miss his sense of humor.

[dbduck]

this one may be old or already mentioned...Dewey, Cheatham, & Howe Attornies at Law

[dbduck]

Maykem-Paye Tax Service

[twcenterprises]

Here's a list I found online through one of the forums:

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
Miracle Home Builders (If It's A Good Home, It's A Miracle)
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
Whack Productions (If It's A Good Picture, It's Out Of Whack)
Wheezy's Tobacco Shop
Will M Bark Travel
Wischer's Washer Co
Wonder Chair Co (If It's A Good Chair, It's A Wonder)
Wunza Nuff Mfg Co
Yanke-Gohoam Travel Agency
Zeebolt Lightning Rod Co

Brad

[dbduck]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dbduck

Maykem-Paye Tax Service

or Kaykem-Paye Divorce Attornies

[twcenterprises]

Forgot a couple.

Street names:

Short St. (Real)
Short Short St. (Real, next street over)
Half Cir. (Real)
Rocky Rd. (Fictitious, could serve a quarry)
Roundabout way (Fictitious)
Four Wheel Dr. (Real, and of course serves an off-roader's shop)
and a couple more real ones not suitable for this forum...

Business:

George Moore & Sons Coal (Buy Moore Coal) (Real)
Batesville Casket Co (Real)

Brad

[howmus]

I will use family/friend's names with a puny twist at times.
Such as: Cooley's Blue Ice (After my Grandfather Cooley), Van Lone Banking, and Sterling Silver (Grandmother's Maiden Name).

On the other hand, some will be real businesses like:
Dr. Foote, Podiatry (no kidding)
Stoddard's Store
Airgas

[:D]