Chicago Express Game Rules

Welcome to the world of Chicago Express, a thrilling board game that will transport you back in time to the bustling city of Chicago during the late 19th century.

In this game, you and your fellow players will act as investors, seeking to build profitable railroad companies and gain the most wealth and influence.

To begin, each player is given a starting capital and takes turns making strategic decisions that will shape the destiny of their railroad companies. Through careful planning and shrewd investments, players can expand their network, increase their stock value, and earn lucrative profits.

Your goal is to become the most successful investor in Chicago by amassing the highest wealth in the form of company stocks and cash. To achieve this, you must balance building your own wealth with the success of the overall railroad network.

At the start of the game, the board is set up with a map of Chicago, displaying various cities and their routes. Each player chooses a railroad company and places its marker on the corresponding starting city. The game then proceeds in rounds, with each player taking turns.

On your turn, you have several actions to choose from. You can lay track tiles to expand your company’s network, buy or sell company stocks to increase your ownership, or place a dividend marker to claim a share of the profits.

As the game progresses, players will compete for control of the various companies, aiming to become the majority shareholder and reap the rewards. Pay close attention to your opponents’ actions and adapt your strategy accordingly.

The game ends when all the track tiles have been played or one of the companies goes bankrupt. At this point, the final value of each company is determined, including its cash and stock value. The player with the highest total wealth is declared the winner.

Chicago Express is a game of strategy, risk, and opportunity. Your decisions will shape the course of the game and determine your success. So, gather your fellow investors and prepare for an exhilarating journey through the vibrant city of Chicago!

Without the railroads, America’s industrial boom would have been impossible. The country’s vast expanse required the transportation of materials across long distances, and the railroads made it possible.

The growth of North America’s industries went hand in hand with the expansion of railroad networks. Many companies were founded during this time with the support of investors who provided the necessary funds.

Prominent names like Cornelius Vanderbilt and Charles Morgan emerged during this period, showcasing the significance of railroad financing. However, these investors had more than just financial gain in mind. Their ultimate goal was to maximize profits.

The Components

Hey there! Let me tell you about the cool stuff you’ll find inside this game. Check it out:

• 1 Board (with 3 needles for the action gauges)
• 103 Wooden Trains (26 Yellow, 24 Green, 22 Blue, 20 Red, 11 Black)
• 23 Houses (Wooden Development markers)
• 5 “+50” Game Tokens – one for each company
• 3 Cardboard Indicators Needles and 3 Rivets
• 20 Paper Shares
• Game Money
• 4 Company Charter boards (Yellow, Green, Blue and Red)
• 5 Counter Pieces
• Rulebook

Game Layout

The game board and Charters of the four railroad companies are all set and ready for you.

Now, pay close attention! Grab those three indicator needles and pop them out from the panel. Attach them to the game board just like in the diagram. Use those two-part rivets to secure them nicely. Oh, and don’t forget to turn the indicator needles to the cool green “start” field!

When we start playing the game, we put a locomotive from each company on the corresponding start hex. The Wabash start hex is empty at first.

Next, we place the remaining locomotives and shares of each company on the corresponding spaces on the Charters. The Wabash locomotives and shares go on the Charter on the game board.

We place the companies’ counter pieces on the fields of the matching color on the income track. But we don’t place the Wabash piece just yet. We also lay out the “+50” game tokens.

Now, let’s talk about houses. We put 20 houses on the marked area on the game board as a general supply. As for the Industrial City track, we place 1 house on each of the boxes 1 (Detroit), 3 (Wheeling), and 4 (Pittsburgh).

Imagine this: You and your friends are sitting around a table, getting ready for a night of excitement and strategy. You’re about to play a game known as Monopoly.

Monopoly is all about money and real estate. Its purpose is to teach the players how to buy, sell, and trade properties to ultimately become the richest player in the game.

The game begins with one player taking on the role of the bank. They are responsible for dividing a total of $120 among all the players. Depending on how many people are playing, each player will receive a specific amount of money to start with. This money is their starting capital.

This starting capital is essential because it sets the stage for the rest of the game. It determines how much buying power each player has and what real estate they can afford to invest in. The initial distribution of money is crucial, as it can greatly impact a player’s success or failure in the game.

So, the next time you play Monopoly, remember the importance of that initial distribution of money. It’s what kickstarts the game and sets each player on their unique path to wealth and victory!

Imagine you and your friends are looking for some fun and excitement. How about a nail-biting game of laser tag? It’s an amazing activity that will have you on the edge of your seat!

Laser tag is a thrilling game where players compete against each other using laser guns to target and tag opponents. The game takes place in a specially designed arena filled with obstacles and hiding spots. The objective is to score points by tagging opponents while avoiding being tagged yourself.

This game is not just for kids; it’s enjoyable for players of all ages. It’s a great way to bond with friends and family while having a blast. The best part is that it’s not limited to small groups; you can play with as few as two players or in larger teams, making it perfect for parties or team-building events.

When it comes to laser tag, there are different game modes to choose from, each with its unique set of rules and objectives. Whether you prefer a free-for-all deathmatch or a team-based capture-the-flag game, there’s something for everyone.

Now, let’s talk pricing. The cost of playing laser tag varies depending on the number of players. Here’s a breakdown of the prices:

• 2 players: $60
• 3 players: $40
• 4 players: $30
• 5 players: $24
• 6 players: $20

These prices make laser tag an affordable and entertaining activity for any group size.

When you step into the laser tag arena, be prepared for an adrenaline-fueled adventure. Your heart will race as you strategize, hide, and shoot your way to victory. It’s an experience you won’t soon forget!

So, if you’re looking for a thrilling and action-packed activity, laser tag is the perfect choice. Gather your friends or family, choose your game mode, and get ready for an epic battle. It’s time to unleash your inner warrior and have a blast with laser tag!

Getting Set Up

Before we start playing the game, we need to do a few things. First, we need to auction off one share from each railroad company (except for Wabash).

The banker is going to be the one who starts the first auction. We’ll begin by auctioning off a share from the PRR company, and the minimum bid for this share is $7.

The starting bidder has the choice to either make a bid or pass. Then, we move clockwise around the table, and each player has to offer a higher bid or pass. Once a player passes, they can’t join in the auction for that share anymore. The auction continues until everyone has passed, except for one player.

Here is the order of the auctions and the starting bids:

The player who has made the highest bid has to pay that amount to the railroad company. The money is put on the matching Charter, and the player is given the share, which they place face up in front of them.

If no player bids for the share, you get it for free.

Once you acquire the share, you become the next starting bidder for the next auction. Each auction follows the same process:

First, there’s a B&O share with a starting bid of $6. Then, a C&O share with a starting bid of $5. Finally, an NYC share with a starting bid of $8.

The player who received the PRR share starts the game.

Goal of the Game

As an investor in the late 19th century American economy, your goal is to make as much profit as possible in the booming railroad industry.

You’ll use your money to acquire shares in railroad companies, allowing you to have an impact on their growth and earn dividends throughout the game.

When it comes to railroad companies, their main goal is to generate income for the shareholders. This income is then distributed as dividends during the Dividend Phase. There are two ways for companies to increase their income: by connecting new City and Mountain hexes to their route network or by developing the hexes that are already connected.

The income of a railroad company depends on how many shares it sells to the players. This is where you come in – as a player, you’ll need to invest wisely and choose the right companies to expand in order to receive the highest dividends.

Remember, the player with the most cash in the end will be the winner. So, make sure to strategize and make smart investments to come out on top!

Let’s Play the Game!

Hey there! Are you ready to dive into the exciting world of this game? Well, let me explain how it all works! It’s pretty simple, really.

First, we take turns playing. The starting player goes first, and then we go clockwise from there. Each player gets to choose an action during their turn. Now, here’s the fun part – you can decide to actually do the action you chose or do nothing at all! It’s all up to you!

After a few actions, we’ll have an interruption called the Dividend Phase. This is when things get really interesting.

Now, let’s talk about the different options you have when choosing an action:

1. Auctioning of a share
2. Expansion of a railroad company’s route network
3. Development of a hex or Industrial City

When you select an action, the indicator needle moves one space to the right. Cool, right?

But wait, there’s a catch! If the indicator for an action is pointing to red, you can’t choose that action. Bummer, I know.

And if both indicators are pointing to red, that’s when the Dividend Phase happens. After this phase, all the indicators go back to green, and then you can make your move. Exciting, isn’t it?

Remember: You have to choose a course of action and mark it, but you don’t have to actually do it. This means you can intentionally limit the availability of certain actions during the game.

For example: Let’s say you don’t have much money, so you can’t afford to bid at an auction. In this case, you can choose the “Auctioning of a share” option, but decide not to offer a share. By doing this, you will miss out on that particular action, but you’ll also ensure that there will be one less auction in the current round.

Your Options

A. Auctioning Of A Share

Hey there! I’ve got some interesting information for you about Railroads in this game. Pretty cool, right?

So, let’s talk about auctioning shares. You, as a player, have the power to choose any railroad company’s share for auction. Now, there’s an exception to this rule – shares in the Wabash railroad company (black) can only be selected once another company’s route network reaches Chicago. Exciting stuff!

When it comes to auctioning shares, you have two options: bid or pass. If you decide to bid, you must offer at least the minimum bid. But what is the minimum bid? Well, it’s calculated based on the current income of the corresponding company (you can find this on the income track). The income is divided by the number of shares that have already been sold, including the one being auctioned. This calculation gives us the minimum bid, and any decimals are always rounded up. Simple, right?

Now, here’s an important note to keep in mind. During the game, it’s possible for all the shares of a railroad company to be auctioned off. When this happens, those shares are no longer available. So, choose wisely!

Let’s play a bidding game. Here’s how it works: we sit in a circle and take turns making offers. The goal is to make an offer higher than the previous one. Once you pass, you can’t join the game again.

The bidding goes on until only one player is left. That player with the highest bid pays the offered amount to the company and receives a share, which is placed face up in front of them.

If everyone passes and no one makes a bid, the share remains with the company, and no money is exchanged.

Note: Buying a share at the lowest price doesn’t always guarantee profit. It’s actually the revenue generated from the sale of shares that helps railroad companies grow their routes and increase their income, which in turn leads to higher share dividends.

B. The Power of Expanding a Railroad’s Network

When you own at least one share in a railroad company, you have the ability to expand its route network. It’s important to note that each company can only place one locomotive on each hex, and they have a limited number of locomotives. Once all the locomotives have been used, the company can no longer expand its routes.

Expanding the Route Network

You can expand a route network by up to three hexes. For each new hex, you place a locomotive from the corresponding company. However, there are some rules to follow:

• All hexes along the route must be connected to the starting city using locomotives. Start hexes cannot be developed.
• Branching is allowed, so you can create different paths from the starting city.
• Locomotives from all companies can be placed on City, Industrial, and Plain hexes.
• Only one locomotive is allowed on Forest and Mountain hexes, and other companies cannot build there.

Hey there! Whenever one of the 5 companies adds a train to Chicago, it interrupts the game and triggers a Chicago Phase. It’s a pretty big deal!

During the Chicago Phase, all companies can use their locomotives in specific areas. Here are the hexes where locomotives are allowed:

So here’s the deal: only one company can have their train on these hexes at a time. Yeah, you heard me right. It’s like a train turf war or something.

The Cost of Expanding the Route Network

When I place a locomotive in a hex, I have to pay for it from the money I have (cash on hand). The cost is based on the red value shown in the hex, multiplied by the total number of locomotives in that hex (including the one I just played).

But there’s a catch: I can only spend as much money as I currently have. I can’t borrow money from myself.

It’s important to keep the money owned by the companies and players separate!

Increasing the Income of Railroad Companies

If a company wants to make more money, it can place a locomotive on a hex. This will increase its income, which is shown on the income track.

When it comes to city and mountain hexes (which are not yet developed, meaning they don’t have any houses), they have an interesting effect on a company’s income. These hexes come with a railway symbol that has two numbers listed. The second number indicates how much the company’s income will increase by. In other words, if a company has a city or mountain hex in its possession, it will earn more money.

City Hexes (A Unique Business Tool) Imagine boosting your company’s revenue with a simple yet effective strategy. By harnessing the power of City Hexes, you can maximize your income like never before. Let me show you how it works.

First, let’s talk about the railway symbol. It has a numerical value associated with it – the second value to be precise. This numerical value represents the potential income boost you can expect by incorporating City Hexes into your business strategy.

But that’s not all – the house symbol comes into play as well. With a value of 1, it may seem modest, but don’t be fooled by its unassuming nature. When combined with the railway symbol, it adds to the revenue increment. Together, they deliver a powerful impact to your company’s bottom line.

So, if you’re searching for a way to elevate your business revenue and generate a positive response in today’s competitive market, look no further than City Hexes. With this unique tool, you’ll gain a competitive edge that sets you apart from the rest.

Now you might be wondering, why should I choose City Hexes? The answer is simple. By incorporating City Hexes into your business strategy, you’ll experience a double-edged sword effect. Not only will your revenue increase, but you’ll also witness a renewed enthusiasm from your customers and clients.

So, what are you waiting for? Unlock the potential of City Hexes and watch your company’s income soar. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.

When it comes to industrial hexes, I love how they can boost a company’s income. These powerful hexes have the ability to increase a company’s earnings based on the value shown on the industrial city track in the specific city where they are located.

C. Exploring Game Hexes

In the game, you have the ability to create game hexes. However, there are a few exceptions. The plain and Start City hexes like New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, as well as the City hex Chicago, cannot be developed. There is one special case, though. Although Fort Wayne is the Start City hex for Wabash, it can still be developed because it is also considered a City hex.

Developing Different Types of Hexes in the Game

Let’s talk about the different types of hexes you can develop in this game:

City / Mountain / Forest Hexes – To develop this type of hex, you need to have at least one locomotive in it. Each hex can only be developed once. Once you develop a hex, a house from the general supply is placed on it.

Industrial City – Developing an industrial city requires at least one locomotive to be present. You can develop an industrial city multiple times. The progress of its development is recorded on the industrial track on the game board. For each development, the marker piece on the industrial track moves one space to the right.

Exception: Detroit – Detroit is a special case. It is the only industrial city that develops automatically, moving one space on the industrial track at the end of the Dividend Phase. Unlike other cities, a locomotive does not have to be present in Detroit for development to occur. The players do not develop Detroit; it happens on its own.

Impact of Developing a Game Hex

In this game, there are special hexes called City and Mountain hexes. When a railroad company lands on one of these hexes, it gets a boost in income. The amount of the boost is shown by the symbol on the right-hand side of the hex. This boost is then added to the company’s income track. To represent this, the marker piece of the company is moved by the number of hexes indicated by the symbol.

Welcome to the Industrial City! Did you know that this special place can help boost the income of railroad companies? It’s true! When you’re on this hex, the railroad company’s income goes up based on the difference between the new and old box on the industrial track.

Let me break it down for you. Each development in Detroit and Wheeling adds 1 to the income, while in Pittsburgh, it adds 2. Amazing, right?

So, here’s the deal: the Forest hex is all about grabbing some cash right off the bat. The company gets a cool $2 straight from the bank, which goes right onto the Charter. And get this – its income doesn’t even budge. Sweet, right?

The Dividend Phase

Alright, picture this: it’s your turn, and both gauges are already in the red zone. Now, hold up – the game comes to a brief pause, and we enter what’s called the Dividend Phase. Yeah, during this time, you can’t make any moves until we finish up here.

I’m going to explain three steps that are taken during this phase. Let’s get started!

Step 1: General Dividends

In this first step, I calculate the general dividends. These dividends are an important part of the process.

Step 2: Reset Dials

Next, I reset the dials. This step helps to ensure that everything is ready for the next phase. It’s a necessary part of the process.

Step 3: Finalize Documentation

The last step is to finalize the documentation. This includes reviewing all the information and making sure everything is accurate and complete. It’s a crucial step that ensures the success of the entire process.

So there you have it! These three steps are essential for this phase. I hope this explanation helps you understand the process better.

When the general payouts are completed, the three gauges on the game board go back to green.

Building up Detroit

After that, we shift the marker representing the industrial track of Detroit one space forward. This action increases the income of the companies located in Detroit by one space on the income track.

Once this is done, the game proceeds with the player whose turn it is.

The Chicago Phase

Earning Dividends in Chicago

Every time a railroad company expands its network to Chicago (which means adding a locomotive there), the game pauses to increase the company’s income on the scale. At that moment, the shareholders of this company receive an extra dividend. The amount of this dividend is calculated the same way as the General Dividend.

Please note: Sometimes, the General Dividend phase is also triggered after reaching Chicago. If that happens, the Chicago Phase is resolved first, followed by the General Dividend phase.

Starting the Wabash

So, here’s the deal: once this company reaches Chicago, the Wabash Railroad Company throws open its doors and kicks off its operation. You see, after they pay out the Chicago Dividend, they go ahead and place a black locomotive on the Fort Wayne hex. And guess what? They also plop down a black counter piece on the “1” field of the income track. Pretty cool, right? But hold on, there’s more. If Fort Wayne has already been developed, they skip the “1” field and go straight to the “3” field on the track. Talk about making moves! Oh, and one more thing – the Wabash Railroad Company doesn’t have to pay a dime for placing its first locomotive on the Fort Wayne hex. It’s like a free pass or something.

Important: The Wabash Railroad Company sure knows how to make a statement, huh? But just in case you’re wondering, this part of the game doesn’t cost them any money. They’re just that good.

Playing around with Wabash Shares

So, here’s the deal. When I finally make it to Chicago by taking my turn, I’m going to kickstart the action by auctioning off the first Wabash share and making the initial bid. You know the drill – the regular rules apply to the opening bid and auction. But here’s the best part: the remaining Wabash share is up for grabs too! It’s all part of the Auctioning of a Share option. Now, listen up because this is important: if no one wants to bid on Wabash, the share stays on the Charter, and we can still auction other shares. Cool, right?
Remember: Wabash is always open for business.

Once the auction is done, the game keeps rolling with the player sitting to the left.

Time to Wrap It Up

Now, let’s talk about the endgame. When one of these four situations pops up, we know it’s game over:

• Three or more companies run out of locomotives on the Charter.
• Three or more companies have zero shares left on the Charter.
• We’re down to only three houses (or even fewer) in the general supply.
• Detroit’s income reaches a solid 8.

The game comes to a close as soon as the following General Dividend gets distributed.

Now it’s time for us to tally up our cash. The person who has the most money emerges as the winner. If there happens to be a tie, the individuals involved will share the triumph.

Remember: Shares aren’t taken into consideration when determining the champion.