Most useful micro layout design.

[Bealman]

That is one SMALL roundy roundy!

If the layout in the photo impressed you, why not just copy that? It obviously works!

[woodbury22uk]

The problem of the first plan (reversing to enter) is something normal on american railways. With a single entry into the customers  yard, it depends on from where the train is coming. One time the loco enters forward into the yard and has to push back in reverse to continue its voyage. Another day (on the way back) the loco pushes in reverse into yard and can then travel forward to return to its voyage. And on such a tiny layout you will have short switchers and trains... so the reversing of the train to enter will not look awkward

So plan 1 is more adapt for village sculpting with two industries.
Plan 2 puts more focus on the station/industries leaving less place for the village

For this to work there needs to be a way for the locomotive to run round and escape when it enters forwards, or it would have to wait until the cars are unloaded. So a much more complex track layout in the yard. It has been known in the UK but it would be a very expensive operation tying up a locomotive and crew.