Interesting concept!

Some of my attempts at electrical control systems have turned out like something from Dilbert, but I don't think that's what you were referring to!

Why Limit it?

I can think of all sorts of inspiration for a module or industry on a layout. Funny papers, comic books, TV & movies, novels... The possibilities are endless.

One of the thoughts I had not long ago, was to create a "working" TARDIS using view blocks, a piece of glass, the required lighting for a "Pepper's Ghost", a flashing light on top, and of course the sound effect.

And how about old TV and books, etc?

When my sons  were much younger,   I built them a 2 x 6 - foot module of "Bayport," the home of those eternally young detectives, Frank and Joe Hardy.  (It was a fun way to extend the adventures they enjoyed when reading the mystery stories.)  I bet most of us can remember stories we have read that would make a fun location for a train layout.

Has anyone read any of Lillian Jackson Braun's "The Cat Who . . ." mystery stories?  The town of Pickaxe would certainly make a colorful location!  

Comics

(Copy Right image Deleted By Spam Police)

Oval around Snoopy's doghouse?

Hmmmmmm...

Flash Gordon comes to mind right off--or better yet, Star Trek.  Star Trek could be done subtly--each generation is well known for time travel.  In fact, a Star Fleet Shuttle, suitably damaged, could make a great flatcar load...

If you want some serious stuff for a bit, make it so the Star Trek scene can be changed out easily.  (Having a sign to add to the layout, "Welcome Star Trek Convention!" would instantly justify any of it to serious, no sense of humor, modelers...

In fact, a shuttlecraft might yet end up on my build list...

With and without animation

How about Sponge Bob Square Pants and the Bikini Bottoms crew for the kids.

Or  the Squeekville mouse theme with lots of animation.

http://squeekville.com/photos/

Petticoat Junction,

Petticoat Junction, anybody?

Steve S

Petticoat Junction even has the train . . .

And that of course would lead you to "Green Acres" (scratchbuilding THAT house would be a test for anyone!)  And Mayberry could be at the other end of the line . . .

Toonerville Trolley

For years I have thought of a  portable display layout with several of the Toonerville Trolleys running an apparently  random  pattern with automatic control and minimum scenery.

Maybe next year.

Art

Petticoat Junction, Are you kidding?

Done that!

My first train set was a tyco? chatanooga choo choo figure 8. Believe me, that was the set for Petticoat Junction on that green plywood sheet, surrounded by cardboard and lego buildings, every day!

Ok, so I imagined it was the set anyway.

Sunday comics

Not a comic, but I have often

Phineas and Ferb

My son is working on finding and printing out in paper model style now the building from the kid cartoon on disney channel.

http://phineasandferb.wikia.com/wiki/Doofenshmirtz_Evil_Incorporated

i'll end up taking the paper model he makes and convert it to heavy foam core board.

Not exactly comic book or family material...

I turned to porn actors of the 70s and 80s for some store names for my Merchants Row and Merchants Row II buildings. I just put them up on the signs and let those who can read the fine print get a smile at the puns and go on their way. Names like:

Harry's Reams & Stationery
Nikki's Charm School
Marilyn's Chambers & Interior Decorating
Drake's & Steed's Seed & Feed (the local farm supply store)
Dough & Sprinkle's Bakery
Ron & Jeremy's Hedgehog Emporium (we also have puppies & kittens) (this was the store idea that started it all)

I'm also thinking of a park scene with some deer in it (Bambi Woods) with a pond (Arcadia Lake), and some N-scale football figures for a pee-wee league painted with blue shirts and silver pants.

The Champion Meat Packing Company is being relettered to Verbeck Meats (or Holmes-Johnson Sausage; I haven't decided), makers of the Hoffa-Meier wiener ("My bologna has a first name, It's J-I-M-M-Y..."), which was my sister's contribution. Verbeck Meats will of course have a troop of Boy Scouts hiking past with animal control leading in a herd of dogs and cats (Oh, Johnny Verbeck, how could you be so mean/Now all the neighbors cats and dogs will never more be seen/They'll all be ground to meat in Johnny Verbeck's machine...)

The beauty of it is that it's subtle. Kids won't get it (or if they do, you know you need to check what they've been watching), and even some adults don't get it.

Two other I forgot...

Lynn Porsche (car dealership) and Joey's Silver & Coins (pawn shop)