Smaller simulation with more complex operation?

Hello,

Which ones would you recommend, payware included, for a combination of one of the smaller simulations and timetable that had relatively large amount of complex operation i.e. complex junctions and yards, terminate and run-around, and local freight trips, et cetera?

I've so far went through half of the Project X TT for NE Wales, and one each of the 80-90s TT's for Exeter, Derby, and Carlisle, and the last one was probably the most I could handle alone without excessive amount of pausing (or incidents...).

A similar run with Saltley was attempted but melted down early in the morning, while another one with KX did not last even half an hour.

A brief search had revealed this and this, which seemed to point to some of the older .exe sims.

But...are there anything else? Thanks!

Exeter is a surprisingly enjoyable sim, although it can get fairly busy if there’s multiple failures.

With some of the local services being fairly captive it also allows some “control” decisions to be made when recovering disruption, which personally I find more enjoyable than just signalling trains through a layout.

Sandhills is the ultimate sim for those who enjoy controlling, although it is utterly manic when the service is up the wall. Having had experience of real-life controlling on a busy network I can vouch for Merseyrail being equally mentally challenging and draining, especially when just as you put something right it all goes tits-up again.

I find the absolute block sims a lot of fun to play solo - espeically Worksop and Peak Forest.

Varied ops, with a lot of freight, interesting layouts with a number of junctions, but neither the size nor traffic flow are unmangeable.

Unfortunately Peak Forest was pulled form sale, but Worksop is downloadable (old non-loader sim).

Absolute block takes a bit of getting used to but it keeps you on your tows!

For a more modern IECC sim I'll...4th Carlisle, especially the 80s timetables.

A lot of the older, non-loader sims were really a ton of fun. South Humberside, Bristol, even the really-archaic Cambridge (So old it wants to start full screen and isn't even scrolly).

Many of the newer loader sims are much more multiplayer oriented (much larger control areas) and/or are ARS sims, which I don't enjoy at all.

Still haven't figured out how to actually minimize delay with that goods train short of holding it till almost the end of service yet, though. Makes one wonder why was the line singled in the first place without even the possibility of so much as a shut-in at Lapford and Barnstaple.

Truth be told, Absolute Block with long sections - like the ones in NE Wales - felt almost leisurely even with an extra service timetable, but I probably should try Worksop next.

Salisbury 1980's is quite good, with van trains, engine turn overs and shed pilots taking coaching stock to and from yards / sidings.
Very pleasurable!

I enjoy the modern Derby very much, with the relentless pre morning peak departures from Etches Park, direct onto the station, via Chad Curve, or reversing on Chad curve to go towards Nottingham / Leicester.

The reversing of service trains at Derby and the funnelling of freight either via the Station, or via the goods lines, is very challenging too. Then there's Burton on Trent too!