Reply to "Suggestions for reliable engine for work Christmas Train Display"

I agree with your estimations about williams  they are solid and run forever I have had no real problems our of my williams steamers any time i have used them on the Christmas layout.  this also includes running them for up to 12 hours at a time with no break

Being as this will be in a work enviroment  I would make sure that the Track and engine noise is as low as possible 

with this being said i have always had good luck with a 1/2 inch OSB base with Dollar store carpeting glued to the base and then Un-soaked cork roadbed under the track and I also used Atlas Three rail track  which was also screwed  into place with track screws all the way into the plywood.

IN all the years i have done displays in public places the Christmas music that was played through a computer to speakers mounted on the layout always had no competitiion with the running of the Trains

the Cork Roadbed can be found at Train-land for 35.00 per case of 25 pieces

I hope this helps