Bo, you are correct about the need to ask the hard questions about what are the needs and uses of such an idea. Getting 'the most bang for the buck' should always be a concern. I am curious about your "30 percent" number. Is that some sort of national average?
I think that you underestimate the number of people in the yard before, during train time, and after it has left and returned from it's trip. I spend at least two weeks working there each summer and cannot think of a time even at night that someone isn't looking around. They are prime candidates for the visitors center to develop their interest into learning more about the railroad. Regards, John