One of my all time favorites is a french/german border layout built by Jean-Michel Hartmann. A very simple N-scale doubletrack oval, no fiddle or hidden yard, just a depot and a station with a couple of sidings.
But the best about this wonderful layout is that the tracks are not nailed or glued, he'd just put the tracks on the ballast (!!!), including banking on curves. Perfection! Unfortunately he died somewhat around 1985/86, some probably know him from some beautiful books he released (f.e. Magie du rail).
Another master is (or better are) Marcel Darphin and his wife Astrid, a french/swiss 0 gauge layout... If you ever find that book, buy it!!! Highly recommended:
http://www.ptitrain.com/librairie-nn/modele-nn/livres/cachindarphin.htm
Here is a video on youtube:
... and Bradfield Gloucester Square is another fave of mine! Luv to watch the vids on youtube!
Cheers
Simon