Often model railroaders name businesses and places on their railroads for friends and family.

Why do the businesses and locations have the names they have on the Cranberry and Linville River Railroad?

The Cranberry and Linville Railroad is based on the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad. While we make no attempt to model any specific areas or landmarks, we do attempt to tell our story using the same time period and scenery you would find in the area. Cranberry was the eastern terminus of the ET&WNC until they purchased the Linville River Railroad and then again after the abandoned the Linville River. The railroad was built to carry iron and iron ore to Johnson City. I chose to add Linville River to honor the memory of the LR. And it just sounded good!

From left to right…

Lilly’s Candies represents my wife Pam’s family candy and ice cream store located in Covington, Kentucky. Lilly was her grandmother and her grandfather started the company. The billboard on the roof of Lilly’s advertises, Papas Candies, the company her grandfather started. It was passed on to her father, her two brothers and now her nephew. She and my son, Zach, work there as well.

Pam’s General Store is for named for my wife, Pam, a talented seamstress and crafter.

Amanda’ Place is name for my daughter Amanda, an email marketing specialist, not a bar maid.

Swanson Meats is reference to one of my favorite characters, Ron Swanson, from Parks and Recreation.

Penny Blossoms is a reference to a side-business Penny started and Leonard, Sheldon, Howard and Raj helped with on The Big Bang Theory, my all-time favorite sitcom.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF-0qn_-TAo

The town bank is the P.G.E. (piggie) Bank; a little tongue-in-cheek name.

Deaton’s Garage is named for our mechanic and good friend, Tim Deaton, who does all our automotive work.