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Smaller simulation with more complex operation?

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Smaller simulation with more complex operation? 18/03/2020 at 06:37 #123817
JWNoctis
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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!

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Smaller simulation with more complex operation? 18/03/2020 at 06:58 #123818
Bonan
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Euston with the 1980s timetable is really good, plenty of shunting within a rather small area.

Carlisle with the 1980s timetable has lots and lots of shunting around Carlisle station. However I find it a bit hard to operate myself as you also have to regulate the mainline between Lockerbie and Carnforth.

Swedish driver and part-time signaller
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Smaller simulation with more complex operation? 18/03/2020 at 17:19 #123821
CTCThiago
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I would recommend Euston with 2 interesting timetables:

Euston 1980/81 Weekdays V3.0.0

Euston 1990s fictional intensive V1.94

If you want to make it more interesting, enable some delays and TCFs aswell.

Cheers,
Thiago.

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Smaller simulation with more complex operation? 18/03/2020 at 18:26 #123822
DavidSplett
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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.

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Smaller simulation with more complex operation? 18/03/2020 at 20:39 #123824
TylerE
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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.

Last edited: 18/03/2020 at 20:44 by TylerE
Reason: None given

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Smaller simulation with more complex operation? 18/03/2020 at 22:32 #123826
swiftaw
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Why can't you buy Peak Forest anymore (given that it is a loader sim)?

Also, I have played the old Euston .exe sim and I like it so I wanted to try some of the other .exe sims but when I tried Gloucester and Bristol they wouldn't scroll.

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Smaller simulation with more complex operation? 18/03/2020 at 22:38 #123827
swiftaw
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JWNoctis in post 123817 said:
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!
West Yorkshire it pretty fun and I would put it on a difficulty level with Derby.

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The following user said thank you: JWNoctis
Smaller simulation with more complex operation? 19/03/2020 at 09:42 #123835
JWNoctis
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DavidSplett in post 123822 said:
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.
Yep, I remember turning a Barnstaple-Exmouth service short at Exeter Central, after it was delayed an hour by me sending an untimed local goods down Barnstaple branch at the wrong time, and later got stuck behind another service on the same route. Turned out it then ran right on time for the return service, too.

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.

...I think I've had enough up-the-wall moments with Saltley for the moment, but I'll keep that in mind.

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Smaller simulation with more complex operation? 19/03/2020 at 10:18 #123837
flabberdacks
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Just adding my full endorsement for Euston PSB sim with the 80s timetable. It's one of the best experiences I've had in SimSig and I come back to it regularly.
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Smaller simulation with more complex operation? 19/03/2020 at 10:19 #123838
JWNoctis
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TylerE in post 123824 said:
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.
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.

Guess I shouldn't have overlooked all those EXE sims. Thanks!

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Smaller simulation with more complex operation? 19/03/2020 at 10:26 #123840
jc92
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JWNoctis in post 123835 said:

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.
When it was originally singled, there was still a box at Barnstaple with a token machine which allowed trains to shut in, and the passenger service wasn't as intense.

The current arrangements only came into effect after freight and parcels traffic had ceased. I was working on a 1988 timetable which had a speedlink working to lapford, but it has enough time to RR and do what it needs to do before returning to Crediton and doesn't require locking in.

"We don't stop camborne wednesdays"
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Smaller simulation with more complex operation? 19/03/2020 at 10:42 #123842
Albert
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I seem to remember that the Barnstaple goods train in the 5-day '80s TT just about fits in the timetable if you hold it at Crediton for about an hour until somewhere between 13:30 and 14:00. But that's indeed not 'realistic' as pointed out.
AJP in games
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Smaller simulation with more complex operation? 19/03/2020 at 22:40 #123874
TylerE
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JWNoctis in post 123838 said:


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.
Worksop only has 4 AB sections... just enough to keep things interesting.

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Smaller simulation with more complex operation? 05/04/2020 at 03:18 #125386
Slash
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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!

Last edited: 05/04/2020 at 03:18 by Slash
Reason: None given

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Smaller simulation with more complex operation? 05/04/2020 at 08:52 #125389
flabberdacks
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SwinDid is another excellent one which isn't too big, has some tight junction regulation plus plenty of freight to regulate.
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Smaller simulation with more complex operation? 05/04/2020 at 11:25 #125392
Phil-jmw
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Slash in post 125386 said:
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!
If you like Derby with a modern TT then I'm sure you'd like it with jc92's 1992 TT. There was much more variety of traffic back then and the 1992 TT makes use of many locations in the sim that the modern TT's don't as the traffic has ceased. Derby was also a mail train hub at that time so late evening and into the night can be busy. Fuelling moves from Etches Park to 4 Shed and back can quickly have you stitched up if you don't manage it carefully just as the real life signalmen had to.

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