If you were going to build a shelf layout that ran 14 hours a day, indoors,

If your client wants more realism, go with 2 rail.

The locomotive and rolling stock are very subjective, what timeframe is your client interested in?

That's alot of questions to answer but let me get the ball moving in the right direction.  Because your running all the time you will need 3 locomotives as I see it. Kids love Thomas the tank engine so maybe you could place that on your short list. In Nov. Dec. they (the kids) enjoy Polar express another short list.  What about a quick turn around for when repair is needed.  Does the client want o scale or large scale (G) ?  Steve, maybe you can call places that have been in buss. for years and get a few more of your questions answered.   I'm trying to recall the name of the restaurant in Desplaines ILL. that's been doing it since the 1950's.  Maybe some one on the forum knows that name and a phone lead?  Have a great day, Bruce

If 2-Rail is must, I would serious push for going with G Gauge.  Since the RR is going to be elevated (overhead), then the trains will end up being that much further from the clent the RR is intended to be built for... little humans, a.k.a. childern, so bigger will be better.  Also, G will you give you better dependability (fewer derailments) due to the oversized flanges (similar to 3-Rail).  You get great loud sound for a big noisy space, smoke, and if steam is must, you get a better selection than 2-Rail O.  There is some great stuff out there in G gauge right now, all the way from old narrow gauge steam to modern 6 axle diesels, albeit all pretty expense.  Therefore, the $5000 budget might end up going just for just the train, track, and electrical with little to none left over to build the shelf and the scenery.   

Scott K.

Austin, TX 

G gauge.

0 is too small for a large public venue. If 0 scale then three rail only.   It's going to have elevation to avoid public handling so the rail count is a non issue.  Three rail is much more bullet proof for all day operation.  Two rail  is a pain to get quick turn around service.

$5000 budget?? 30' X 60'?  IMO, his cost expectations are as far off as his 0 scale 2 rail performance expectations.  Better get the job done before the new minimun wage becomes effective.  Too much out of sync here.

Hi

If you get a chance, check out Wegman's supermarket. Our local store has an overhead G scale elongated loop that is quite nice. Sounds like just what you want.

John

addressing your question:

while I agree that large scale will be more visible at an elevated position, if O scale is the only option then consider these:

A 2 rail version of a 'china drive' twin motored engine, by Atlas, MTH. or Weaver w/ DCC

A simple string of 2 rail rolling stock in 2 rail by the same mfg.

A loop of Atlas 2 rail flex track.

A simple DCC control system, because you require sound. A NCE 5 amp system should suffice

Bear in mind that no engine will run forever without wearing out, so buy a couple and alternate them, perhaps each week or couple weeks.

Working against a low budget 0 or G using later MTH with DCS will yield basic sounds for cheap on an ordinary DC or AC power pack.

If kids are your target then nothing beats MTH rail king for sounds at 1/3-1/2  the cost of Premier.

Bob 2 can chime in on how constant running affects wear.  His club is required to run all day every day.  On a regular basis they wear out wheels, drives and motors.

I'd say go with G gauge, from personal exerience they're more bullet proof than O, less finicky and equally important is that they're much less likely to derail.

Wegman's Supermarkets have all been running G scale for years and as they continue opening new stores they installing G gauge ceiling suspended ovals in them. Must be good reasons why they continue choosing G rather than O gauge. Nothing breeds success like success so stay with a good thing and for this type venture G gauge is seemingly the\ obvious and favored choice.

Re G sound...  LGB has 'basic' sound in many of their engines.  The chuffing is somewhat like the old interrupted white noise.  The whistle and bell sound can be simply activated by placement of their trip magnets, which snap onto their track.  Oriented one way, according to the engines direction of travel, the magnet will trip the whistle sound.  Those magnets mounted in the reverse direction will trip the bell sound.  Easy.  Hands off.

The downside...for those who must be in the establishment all day long!...is the rhythmic predictability of the sounds....which is like retail 'water-boarding' after a whie.  LGB thoughtfully provides a switch on the loco to turn the sounds off, but that's not very versatile for an overhead layout...unless Quasimodo is one of your resident employees!!

FWIW.

KD

My first thought when he approached me was, "This ain't gonna happen."

Neither my friend nor the client no anything about model railroads.

I decided to throw in, just to try to save my friend from his folly.

I'm gonna say for a budget, say $50,000  for the build, then 5,000 per year for maintenance.  I don't think that I will be too far off.

We run a HO layout at a museum. It runs on a timer which is turned on by the public. We wear engines out in about 3 years. We do maintenance once a week. Change out the engines or trains. We have more problems with truck wear on the cars than engine wear.

Go with DC it is easy and cheap. If you are running two trains on two tracks there is no need for DCC. Most sound locos work on both DC and DCC anyway.

I am not sure about the cost we run an all volunteer work force. We spend about $2,000 a year on engine and car repair but in HO.

The California Museum of Science and Industry in Exposition Park in Los Angeles (now California Science Center) had an O scale diorama layout that operated 365 days a year during museum hours. As I recall, the layout was operated by the Citrus Empire O scale club and the equipment was All Nation. It ran on DC. I don't know the maintenance schedule, but it's a safe bet that the equipment was pulled off-line weekly for maintenance and other equipment substituted as I occasionally saw people walking in and out of the access doors with equipment.

I would do it without any on-board electronics, instead opting for DC-operated locomotives and sensor-activated layout sounds. I would opt for 2-rail steel wheelsets for durability, no functioning turnouts and broader curves to reduce friction and wear.

The above is one of your better tips!

The post below from AGHRMatt is also very good:

"The California Museum of Science and Industry in Exposition Park in Los Angeles (now California Science Center) had an O scale diorama layout that operated 365 days a year during museum hours. As I recall, the layout was operated by the Citrus Empire O scale club and the equipment was All Nation. It ran on DC. I don't know the maintenance schedule, but it's a safe bet that the equipment was pulled off-line weekly for maintenance and other equipment substituted as I occasionally saw people walking in and out of the access doors with equipment.

I would do it without any on-board electronics, instead opting for DC-operated locomotives and sensor-activated layout sounds. I would opt for 2-rail steel wheelsets for durability, no functioning turnouts and broader curves to reduce friction and wear."

Matt Jackson

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Simon