Interesting, but un-modeled industries

[nkp_174]

That looks like the standard fair corrugated metal building of today...the only way to tell what they do is the sign...and the name won't even tell you half the time!

There is a tool that many of you might like. In the US, ownership records are kept by the local government and are part of the public record. In the State of Ohio (and probably in some other states), you can access them at the County Auditor's office. Many counties have placed this information on the internet. You can check ownership, sale prices, layout of rooms, property information, and even photos! Here is an example from my county...

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.hamiltoncountyauditor.org/realestate/rover30.asp">http://www.hamiltoncountyauditor.org/re ... over30.asp</a><!-- m -->
(to the best of my knowledge, our auditor isn't the retired wrestler )

Here is an example...
The Lunkenheimer company was one of the largest manufacturers of steam locomotive whistles. They still exist, and I believe these to be some fo their buildings:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.hcauditor.org/realestate/SOTF_tab_image.asp?t_nm=image&l_cr=&t_wc=|parcelid=2020032014600&sid=0C025834640A48B7B0D23AA4F9398C98">http://www.hcauditor.org/realestate/SOT ... A4F9398C98</a><!-- m -->
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.hcauditor.org/realestate/SOTF_tab_image.asp?t_nm=image&l_cr=&t_wc=|parcelid=1700007000100&sid=0C025834640A48B7B0D23AA4F9398C98">http://www.hcauditor.org/realestate/SOT ... A4F9398C98</a><!-- m -->
A couple years ago, my dad stopped by their factory and bought a few missing parts for some of his steam locomotive whistles...they still had them in stock!
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://lunkenheimercvc.com/index.htm">http://lunkenheimercvc.com/index.htm</a><!-- m -->

Or check out the world's largest bell factory...the Verdin Co also of Cincinnati...
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.verdin.com/">http://www.verdin.com/</a><!-- m -->
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.hcauditor.org/realestate/agency/hamilton/hamilton_tab_base.asp?t_nm=base&l_cr=&t_wc=|parcelid=0750003018200&sid=0C025834640A48B7B0D23AA4F9398C98">http://www.hcauditor.org/realestate/age ... A4F9398C98</a><!-- m -->

So, going back to my first post...I started this thread after thinking about how cool a locomotive builder would as an industry on a layout...a great excuse to have many distinct locomotives which otherwise would make no sense on your layout...and then having both a bell and whistle manufacturer as well!

Michael