Public Running tips

The polyester felt at Joann Fabric stores is available in two shades of green, white(snow), gray and other colors. It is 60" wide and purchased by the yard in length at $4.99 yard.

Then, there is outdoor carpeting in the turf look at the home stores.

Both have enough texture to hold the track and the outdoor carpeting has a rubber base for some sound absorption.

Either of those will work for a quick setup.

The best stuff I've ever found is marine deck carpet that I bought at Lowe's or Home Depot (don't remember which).  It is thin, durable, available in a variety of colors, and backed by some sort of rubber-like material.  Pile is deep/tight enough to hold track securely in place.  Cuts easily with a scissors.

I use it on my tinplate layout and the track (Lionel FasTrack) hasn't shifted a bit in several years.

Well worth considering if it's available locally.

Thanks a lot guys. There's a Joann's down the street from me so I will take a look over there. 

i am curious as to what, if any, tie-in the history museum your exhibit will have.  O gauge trains have the benefit of offering two different aspects... history depicted with model trains, or the history of model trains.

We are located in a 100+ year old hardware building. They were famous for their Christmas toy spread back in the day so I'm trying to capture that classic feel. Ozone and air whistles in the front of a hardware store. 

http://www.raleighcitymuseum.org/ It will be November 23rd, the day of the big Christmas parade in town.