"Milepost 15": The Mystery Manufacturer

I was contemplating what I should do with the big factory in Average. It fills in an unused corner at the near end of the garage, the place previously occupied by the East Altoona roundhouse. I gave it three sidings with no clue as to what they should be for.

Then, of a sudden, a distant memory surfaced. "Why not?", I thought. "It's a perfect solution". "A bit on the silly side but...."

The company I chose manufactures nearly everything. For a model railroad it can generate as much variety as a team track or interchange. Should have thought of it before.

You probably don't know it but you may be very familiar with their products. You might have seen them many times throughout your life. A virtual cornucopia of items pass through the doors of this corporation. Here's an example...

Yes indeed...The epitome of free enterprise these folks can fulfill almost any need. They have been in business for a very long time, witness this early advertisement...

There were rumors that this solid American institution went out of business but I can assure you they are still pumping out the items we Americans need most. They even have an online catalog.

Their customer base spans all cultures and species. The company is constantly developing newer products, some of which are ahead of their time...

Granted, the weapon illustrated above had its drawbacks. Yet while it tended to disintegrate when operated it was still light years ahead of any competitors product. Always looking toward the future, ACME introduced a complementary device and silenced the critics...

Not everything ACME manufactures is cutting edge, however. The company is well grounded and manufactures many more mundane and very usable household appliances. They even offer entire houses for sale. The company is also diverse in its endeavors. They provide any number of services. The ACME brand encompasses importers, food manufacturers, educators and pharmaceutical companies, laundries, relocation specialists, warehouses, travel agencies and even baby sitters.

They make everything from bedsprings to whipped cream dispensers. Their complete line of outstanding products includes vitamins, toothpicks, toasters, suspenders, roller skates, paper clips, oil, matches, jet engines, paint, handlebars, glue, fly paper, eggs, boulders, corks, cheese, cement, automobiles, bridges, birdseed, farm implements, adding machines and, of course, anvils.

So you can understand why the management of the Average Eastern is so excited that the ACME Corporation has chosen to open a plant in our area...