OK a little more about the train layout panels themselves...Lionel describes them as "Compo" board.
This Composition board is sort of an early version of Masonite. The panels are approx 1/4" thick. The grass and foliage looks like it was painted by dipping a sponge into various colors of oil paint and dabbing it on. There are holes punched or drilled in for wiring.
Interestingly, the location of each accessory is factory labeled with the corresponding catalog number. Seems Lionel was intent on having all the displays set up in a consistent configuration rather than having people use their own imagination. You can be sure the marketing wizards at Lionel helped designed the layout in a way that would best show off their line of accessories and thus maximize sales. As an example there are three different styles of street lights along with a variety of villas and bungalows.
