The Museum of Science and Industry has a model train display that is really much more than just a train layout. It is about transportation, and how the railroads move goods from place to place.
The fact that it is beautifully crafted, with scale large sections of Chicago and Seattle and the industries , plains, mountains etc in between, makes it a modelers must see if you are in Chicago.

Chicago

The buildings in Chicago are true to the sections of the city that is being modeled. Two times an hour there is a short night segment to show the display in that setting.

Chicago-night

Of course along the way showing double stack containers, mountain bridges and peaks, not to mention some human interest in a stream

Containers

UP in the mountains

Beach

Finally ending up in downtown Seattle including the docks.

Seattle