2009 BGG rank #2635

American Rails

3–5 players 90 min Ages 14+ 2.9/5 complexity 6.1/10 rating

About this game

In American Rails, each player assumes the role of a wealthy capitalist managing a portfolio of stocks and bonds in six fictional railroad companies. Through ruthless negotiation and rigorous planning, players struggle to increase the value of their holdings and reap the profits. The player with the most money at the end of the game will become the nation's first railroad baron and win the game. This luckless game was inspired by John Bohrer's creation of Chicago Express and the Historic Railroads System from Winsome Games. Set in the United States east of the Mississippi, American Rails features player-controlled variable turn order, "city dilution", and variable set-ups, giving this cutthroat train game an unprecedented level of replayability.

What it feels like

Stock Holding Network and Route Building Auction / Bidding Turn Order: Claim Action Victory Points as a Resource Negotiation Income Action Drafting Investment Economic Trains

Explore these mechanics in Cardboard

Start an original prototype from reusable design patterns—not this game's content.

Open mechanics workbench

Similar games