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Some features that make a small layout operationally interesting: 1. Reversing loop, Y, or turntable if not enough room for a full loop or Y. 2. Two or more yards or a yard (enginehouse optional) and an industry spur (with an industry). In a small space the yards will necessarily be small and likely single ended. If possible arrange the yard and spur so that a train reversing movement (on a reversing loop) is necessary to back into one after pulling out of the other, there may not be room for a locomotive runaround. This gives a reason for the railroad, even if it is only to move cars between the two yards/spurs. A scenery feature (creek, hill) between the two yards/spurs helps emphasize their remoteness from each other. 3. At least one, preferably two continuous running loops or ovals. It's nice to have one or two train(s) running (unattended) in the background while controlling another locomotive to make up a train or drop off cars in a spur. Having to share the yard leads with the main line can make for some challenging time-share operating to avoid a wreck. If a shelf that is too small for continuous loops, use an automatic controller to run a train back and forth on a straight track for effect while you control the other. 4. Grades and tunnels so trains can disappear and reappear - hides the fact they are running around in circles. Make tunnels lift-off (held in place with glued-on magnets) for track cleaning and stalled train removal. Or instead of tunnels use scenic view blockers to again hide the trains on part of their circuit. 5. Manually operated turnouts with reverse power routing (if not DCC) to avoid a control panel and make block powering controlled by the turnout positions. Also feels like a real switchman, and no having to translate to the panel diagram (in panic) as a train approaches a turnout set against it - just reach out and throw the points with a finger. 6. One or more escape tracks for future link to your next railroad. Disguise for now as a spur. 7. Room for scenery and lots of trees. Terrain that is hilly, not flat. Variations in tree species and color; various types of ground cover in different area. Houses, people and maybe animals. All the above (reversing Y, 3 yards, 2 ovals, 2 escapes) can be squeezed into a 2' x 4' N scale with lots of scenery (creek, three levels of track, 3% grades, mountain and three tunnels). Done by making various features do double duty - ie, the reversing Y is actually two Y's back-to-back and part of 2 yards. Four cabs used, block wired, manual turnouts with forward and reverse block power routing, no control panel. An upcoming project is doing this even smaller in Z scale on a shelf.
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