Guys, it is true, great minds do think alike! I am glad to read that others who have or have had similar ideas.
I've seen many great layouts and exhibits in various scales over the years, and the one that struck me as novel was the Big Mo trailer by Harry Turner. That was more a toy train "show", and a linear tour up and down both sides of the trailer, very enjoyable to walk along and watch trains come into and pass out of scenery. I recall that the viewer could not see the whole thing at once - that is key IMO. I think sinuous design (think alternating grand concave and convex shapes), wider aisles and slightly deeper scenery are also criteria. My brainstorm is somewhat based on these and Bob Bartizek's PA and Western RR.
Pennsylvania has a long tradition of Christmas Gardens, RR clubs, and home layouts, as well as two active steam locomotive facilities. I think the interest in RR related activities are alive, but turning a train exhibit into a business that--at the very least, could pay for itself, and/or pay back the financing that would be needed to accomplish it--is very challenging.
In Germany, they have the Miniatur Wunderland.
