Imo, try to avoid a plain old oval. Create a track plan that involves trains turning a different way.
I started out with an oval . Then ripped out one side and expanded it making more of a triangular shape that is visually more interesting.
Have an industry to service for your railroad, that way there's a reason for the trains to stop going in circles.
I have an ice house and platform on an inner passing siding, steel reefers are my rolling stock of choice.
While not "correct" from a railroading standpoint. I have only one turnout connecting my inner and outer main lines. So it's a bit of "work" to get the reefers from the outer main into the ice platform, but that's the fun.
