My somewhat portable layout was used in the commercial.

They started with an O scale model of the Alco, but couldn't find any O scale layouts to film. So after arranging for my HO scale layout and one from another modeler, they had to do a hurry up paint job on an HO Alco. The model came with DCC and sound, neither of which were used. It was only ran as a test, then they used my equipment for the opening sequence.

A shot of the "talent" looking at his model train exiting a tunnel was important to the concept. So to get a camera in the tunnel, they took a plastic mountain/tunnel cut it in half and taped it on to my layout. I got a kick out of someone wanting shrubery inside the tunnel, which you can see as the commercial starts. Couldn't help myself from saying out loud "Strange shrubs that grow in the dark". The director sort of grinned and said something like "it'll be okay!".

Another funny part of the filming is the coaling tower in the scene where the actor places the model Alco on the layout. The director spotted the coaling tower in among some buildings belonging to the other modeler and like it. So they just plunked it down in the middle of a park scene.

This commercial and the next one on youtube (Driver) were both filmed at the same house in Seattle. Quite a property.

Here's a shot of the "stage".

Washington Lottery Conductor Commercial Filming