I have a large number of Phil's maps and sessions and I found them a bit daunting at first too. Even got a bit huffy when he spun that line at me as well. But they are definitely worth all the sweat and tears to get those locos on the job and deliver the goods.
I am and always will be a freight haulin' man, be it long haul mile long consists or like Phil's short haul switch intensive trains. I found the trick the first time was to get the instructions and go into driver and do some roaming around the map and locate where the different consists are located in relation to your start point. Getting to know where industries have been setup is handy too so that you learn where the various factories are and what they are called cos he doesn't give you names on an industry track so you need to use some old grey matter as well as brawn to get those locos where they are needed.
Unfortunately as I am a stick in the mud with good old 2004 I will miss out on later sessions, I have a lot of hours of hauling to do with what I have. I never tire of going back again and again to some sessions.
Just keep up the good work Phil we all appreciate it.
Cheers,
Mike