I have a small N scale layout I am working on, about 3’ by 6.5’. I have one loop, the back part hidden by a tunnel, and a turn off area where 2 locomotives could park. I have it all wired, with an Atlas selector, but am struggling to find something interesting to imitate some sort of operation plan.
The layout is more or less my first real work on using scenery with foam and sculptamold. Things are looking good, but once its said and done, I really can only run one train. Should I add more track?
I could add pictures of progress if anyone is interested.
My first layout was a 5-foot-by-10 “donut” (operating pit in the center) layout in HO scale, which is effectively much smaller than your N-scale layout. It had a continuous mainline (oval, half-hidden) having staging for two trains and a small yard representing a junction with a branch line. The branchline (point-to-point) circled 1.5 times around the layout to a small terminal. It had nearly 30 turnouts and about 8 or so industrial spurs more-or-less following an early 1950s John Armstrong track plan published in MR. That layout provided many more operational opportunities than your present plan. Suggest you do some research to find a more rewarding track plan/inspiration.
It does sounds as if you need at least one passing siding and some industry tracks. The passing siding will allow more than one train to run and importantly, provide a runaround track so that you can switch industry spurs leaving the main line in either direction.
The hidden part of your loop could possibly serve as staging, as in the link above. But you’ll find it a lot more interesting, I think, by adding some industries to serve and a place for trains to pass or runaround.
