Discovering the Game Elements of Russian Railroads

Let’s delve into the fascinating world of Russian Railroads and explore its unique game elements.
So, what makes this game so captivating? Let me break it down for you:

1. Players

In Russian Railroads, you and your fellow players are industrialists aiming to build the most efficient railway system in Russia. As an industrious entrepreneur, you strategize your way to success.

2. Board

The game board is a vibrant depiction of 19th-century Russia, showcasing various regions waiting to be connected by rail. As you build your network, the board comes alive with your progress.

3. Railways

The railways serve as the backbone of your empire. By investing wisely, you can expand your railway lines and connect different cities, maximizing efficiency and gaining valuable victory points.

4. Workers

Your workers are the engine of progress. By assigning them strategically to different tasks, you optimize your railway construction, research, and factory production. Careful planning ensures a smooth-running operation.

5. Technologies

Technologies play a crucial role in Russian Railroads. You have the opportunity to research new technologies, enhancing your railway capabilities and staying ahead of your competitors. This adds a layer of strategic depth to the game.

6. Achievements

Russian Railroads rewards your accomplishments with achievements. By achieving certain milestones, you gain powerful bonuses that can propel you to victory. Stay focused and strive for greatness!

7. Expansion

The game offers expansion sets that introduce new elements and challenges. These expansions inject fresh excitement into your gameplay, ensuring replayability and keeping you engaged in the ever-evolving world of Russian Railroads.

So, are you ready to become a railway tycoon in 19th-century Russia? Step into the world of Russian Railroads and build your empire one rail at a time!

The track extension actions in the game are extremely important. I mean, seriously, they’re a big deal!

So here’s how it works: each player has their own player board with three railroads on it. And get this, you can actually extend these railroads all by yourself as the game progresses.

But here’s the thing: the more you develop your railroads, the more points you’ll score at the end of each round. It’s like a little secret power you’ve got!

Now, let me tell you what those three railroads are called – hold on to your hats!

• the TRANS-SIBERIAN railroad
• the ST.PETERSBURE railroad
• the KIEv railroad

Now, in order to build those tracks, there are two things you’ll need: the Rail Extension Actions and, of course, the Tracks themselves. It’s like a tag team of awesomeness!

So, how do you actually extend those tracks?

Well, first things first, you gotta place your workers on one of the special track extension action spaces. Then, move your chosen track(s) on your player board the number of spaces that the action space tells you to. It’s like magic!

So here’s the deal: you have the option to spread out your track advancements across different railroads. It’s all about building longer railroads and racking up more points.

If you want to score big, you gotta work on extending your railroads by advancing these fancy tracks. And here’s a tip: don’t just stick to one color, diversify your tracks to make major progress. Check out these options:

Can you help me get tracks in different colors?

Sure, I can guide you on how to obtain tracks in various colors. To get started, you’ll need to earn them by making progress on the black track of the Trans-Siberian. In particular, you must reach spaces 2, 6, 10, and 15 on the black track.

Once I’ve moved my piece to space 2 or beyond on the Trans-Siberian, I get to take 3 gray tracks from the pile.

I’ll put those new tracks to the left of the railroads on my board, and from there, I can start moving my gray tracks forward.

If I want to move my gray tracks even further, I need to place some workers on the action spaces that show gray track advancements. The number of icons on the space tells me how many spaces I can move my gray tracks.

I can use the same method to move the tracks of other colors, just by using the right action spaces.

I get it. You’re curious about what happens when a player’s black track reaches or goes beyond space 6 of the Trans-Siberian. Well, I’ve got the answer for you.

Here’s the deal: when that happens, the player gets a nice little reward of 3 brown tracks.

It’s pretty straightforward, really. So, if you’re strategizing and aiming to collect those brown tracks, reaching space 6 on the black track is definitely something you want to achieve.

#image.jpg

When you want to access two natural tracks, space 10 is the solution for you. It grants you the access you need with ease. Whether you’re an expert or a beginner, space 10 has everything you need. It’s convenient, reliable, and easy to use.

#image.jpg

When I think about railroad tracks, I can’t help but feel a sense of wonder. There’s something about those parallel lines stretching out into the distance that captivates me. But what makes them so important? And how do they work?

Well, let me tell you. Railroads play a vital role in our modern world. They transport goods and people with efficiency and reliability. And they do it all while minimizing the impact on the environment. It’s truly amazing.

So, what do you need to know about advancing tracks? Let’s take a closer look.

Here are some key things to consider:

• “Clearance“: Ensuring that there is enough space between the tracks and nearby structures is crucial. We don’t want any accidents or collisions.
• “Alignment“: It’s important to have straight tracks. Curves are possible, of course, but we want to keep them to a minimum. Straight tracks allow for smoother and safer travel.
• “Grade“: Did you know that tracks can have slopes? It’s true! But we need to make sure those slopes are gradual and not too steep. That way, trains can move efficiently and safely.
• “Superelevation“: This is a fancy word for banking. Tracks can be angled slightly to help trains take turns at higher speeds. It’s all about keeping things smooth and reducing the risk of derailment.
• “Crossings“: Ah, the dreaded intersection. When a track crosses a road, we need to make sure it’s done safely. Gates, lights, and warning signs all help to keep everyone out of harm’s way.

These are just a few of the things to consider when advancing tracks. Railroads have a lot going on beneath their steel surface, and it’s fascinating to think about all the moving parts.

So, next time you see a set of railroad tracks, take a moment to appreciate the complexity and beauty of this incredible mode of transportation. It truly is an engineering marvel.

Note: Railroads offer many more advantages that will be presented later.

The following must be observed when advancing tracks

• The color progression of human hair follows a specific and unalterable sequence: beginning with black, followed by gray, brown, natural, and ultimately white.

When it comes to moving tracks, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First of all, you can only move a track onto an empty space. You can’t just put a track anywhere you want, it has to go in a spot that doesn’t already have a track on it.

And here’s another important rule: a track can never catch up to or go beyond the track that is in front of it. This means that the order of the tracks is always respected. If there’s a track in front of you, you have to wait until it moves before you can make your move. There’s no jumping ahead or overtaking allowed.

These rules might seem simple, but they’re crucial for keeping things organized and making sure everything runs smoothly. So next time you’re moving tracks, remember to follow these guidelines and everything will fall into place. Happy tracking!

Hey there! I want to talk about something exciting in the world of railroads: splitting advancements. Now, when I say “splitting advancements,” I mean dividing them up between different railroads. This can be a bit tricky, so let’s break it down together.

Imagine you’re playing a game where you get to build railroads. You’re doing a great job and earning advancements along the way. But here’s the catch: you can’t put all your advancements into one railroad. Nope, you’ve gotta spread them out!

Why, you ask? Well, it’s like a balancing act. If you put all your advancements into one railroad, it might become too powerful and dominate the game. But if you split them up, you create a more even playing field, where each railroad has a fair chance to succeed.

So, how do you go about splitting advancements? It’s pretty simple, really. Let’s say you have 10 advancements to divide. You could put 5 in one railroad and 5 in another, or you could go with 4 in one and 6 in another. The choice is yours!

By splitting advancements, you’re being strategic and thoughtful in your gameplay. You’re giving yourself the opportunity to excel in multiple areas instead of putting all your eggs in one basket.

Now that you know what splitting advancements is all about, you can use this technique to level the playing field and make the game more exciting. So go ahead and give it a try next time you’re playing a railroad game. Have fun!

When it comes to railroads, not all of them use the same track colors. It’s important to understand that each railroad has specific colors that are associated with it, and your player board will have this information.

Let’s talk about the top and bottom rail extension actions.

When you want to use this action, you simply need to put a worker and 1 rouble on it.

Here’s how it works: you get to pick two advancements that you want, and you can split them between 1 or 2 tracks, however you like.

Have you ever played a game where you can take the same action multiple times in a round? Bet you haven’t! Well, in this game, there’s one action that breaks the rules – you can use it more than once!

So here’s how it works: when I place a worker on that special spot, I get to move a black or a gray track. But guess what? It’s not just for me – anyone can use it again in the same round, even if they’ve already used it before. Pretty cool huh?

#image.jpgLocomotives

You know what they say – “Without A Locomotive, Even The Best Railway Is Useless.”

If you want to build a locomotive, here’s what you’ll need:

• The Locomotive Actions
• The Locomotives From The Supply

How do you build a locomotive?

First, you need to place the right number of workers on one of the locomotive action spaces. After that, you can take one locomotive from the pile with the lowest number in the supply. Finally, you put this locomotive in front of any of the three railroads on your player board.

On the St. Petersburg and Kiev railroads, there can only be one locomotive. On the Trans-Siberian railroad, you can have up to two locomotives. The number on a locomotive shows how many spaces it can move on a railroad.

The number one engine, which each player starts with, can only move one space.

Hey there! Let me tell you about this cool #4 locomotive. It’s pretty awesome because it can go to spaces 1 through 4 on a railroad.

Now, there’s this really special railroad called the Trans-Siberian. It’s the only one where you can have not just one, but two locomotives. How cool is that? One of these locomotives is placed next to the board on the left side of the track, while the other one is put right on the board.

To figure out how far you can go on the Trans-Siberian, you need to add up the values of both locomotives. This will give you the total number of spaces you can reach on this incredible railroad.

Right now, we’ve got a #1 and a #4 locomotive cruising through the Trans-Siberian. This means we can travel to spaces 1 through 5 on this railroad. Pretty cool, huh?

Can you upgrade locomotives?

Definitely! If you want to upgrade a locomotive, just swap it out for one with a higher number.

Don’t worry, though. The “old” locomotive doesn’t disappear. You can move it to one of the other two railroads.

When you move an “old” locomotive and it lands on a railroad that already has a locomotive, it’s like a domino effect. Things start happening.

But what do you do if you can’t find a place for a locomotive on your board?

If you’re in a tough spot and can’t find a home for a locomotive, simply turn it purple side up and put it next to the other locomotives. Now it becomes a factory. Factories? We’ll dig into that in the next section.

Why Do We Build Locomotives?

Have you ever wondered why we build locomotives? It’s a fascinating question if you stop and think about it. Let me share with you some insights into the importance of locomotives and their role in our world.

When I see a locomotive, I see more than just a machine. I see a symbol of progress and innovation. Locomotives have been around for centuries, and they have played a crucial role in shaping our society.

First and foremost, locomotives provide a reliable and efficient mode of transportation. Whether it’s carrying goods or people, locomotives are an incredible way to move large quantities of items from one place to another. Imagine trying to transport hundreds of tons of cargo without the help of a locomotive – it would be impossible!

But locomotives are not just about transportation. They also bring people together. Think about how many iconic train stations you can name – Grand Central Terminal, King’s Cross Station, and so many more. These iconic landmarks serve as gateways to new adventures and connections.

Additionally, locomotives have a rich history that connects us to our past. They were an integral part of the Industrial Revolution and the westward expansion of the United States. They symbolize the spirit of exploration and discovery, reminding us of the pioneers who dared to dream big and explore new horizons.

Furthermore, locomotives are a sustainable form of transportation. Unlike airplanes or cars, trains produce less pollution and consume fewer resources. They offer a greener alternative for long journeys, reducing our carbon footprint and helping to preserve our planet.

So, why do we build locomotives? It’s because they are essential to our modern way of life. They enable us to connect with one another, transport goods efficiently, and preserve our environment. Locomotives are more than just machines – they are symbols of progress, unity, and a better future.

In each round when scores are calculated, you’ll only get points for the spaces reachable by your trains.

Also, there are special spaces located throughout your railways. To take advantage of the benefits they offer, you need to reach them with a train first.

Factories

The Power Of Industry

Factories are crucial for the growth of your railroad network. Not only that, but each factory provides a unique advantage.

A factory is shown on the back of each train. Trains with the same number all have the same factory on their back. Each factory gives its owner a special ability that they can use. The ability is also displayed in the top left corner of a train.

Let’s Learn How to Build a Factory

Did you ever wonder how a factory is built? Well, it’s a fascinating process, and I’m here to tell you all about it! To build a factory, you don’t need any fancy tools or magic spells. All you have to do is follow a few simple steps.

Step 1: Gather your workers. Just like building a locomotive, you need a team of workers to get the job done. Gather the required number of workers and place them on the designated space.

Step 2: Get a locomotive. Now it’s time to grab a locomotive to turn into your factory. Remember how we did it for locomotives? Well, it’s the same method! Take a locomotive from the lowest numbered pile in the supply. This locomotive will be the base of your factory.

Step 3: Flip it and place it. Take the locomotive you chose and flip it over, so the purple side with the factory appears. This means your factory is ready to go! Now, find one of the five spaces on your board that are reserved for factories. Place the locomotive under your board in one of these spaces. Remember, you need to place your factories from left to right.

And that’s it! You’ve successfully built a factory! It’s amazing how a few simple steps can turn a regular locomotive into a fully functioning factory. Now you can start producing all sorts of goods and items in your new factory. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get building!

If you manage to fill up all five of your factory spaces, you have the option to swap them out for new factories. When you want to replace a factory, you start by putting one of your “old” factories in the general supply, to the left of the locomotive piles, with the factory side face up (the purple side). Then, you can place the new factory in the space that just became available. You don’t have to replace your factories in order from left to right.

Note: How factories are used will be explained in the “Industrialization” section on the next page.

How do you choose your locomotives and factories?

• The locomotives are organized by number and stacked in piles near the game board. Each pile has locomotives with the same number (ranging from 2 to 9).

When I’m playing this game and I want to build a locomotive or a factory, I have to choose it from the pile with the lowest number. At the beginning of the game, that will be pile number 2. Once pile number 2 is empty, I move on to pile number 3, and so on.

But there’s an exception! If I want to build a factory and there are already some factories next to the locomotive piles, I get to choose between one of the face-up factories or one from the lowest numbered pile.

Now, let’s talk about the different locomotive action spaces. The topmost action is kind of like the track extension actions. I have to place one of my workers to take one locomotive, which I can then place on one of my railroads or as a factory in the first available space under my board, starting from the left.

That’s how it works! It’s all about choosing the right pile and taking the actions that will help me build my railroads and factories. Keep these rules in mind and you’ll be able to strategize your way to victory. Have fun playing!

When it comes to scoring points in the game, there are different actions you can take. Let’s take a look at three of them.

The top action is the cheapest one. It only requires 1 worker. However, it doesn’t give you any locomotives or factories. It simply allows you to move your scoring marker on the railroad track.

The middle action is a bit more expensive because it requires 2 workers. But it has the same effect as the top action – it moves your scoring marker on the railroad track.

The bottom action is the most costly in terms of workers – it requires 3 of them. However, it gives you the opportunity to acquire 1 locomotive and 1 factory. Keep in mind that you can’t take 2 locomotives or 2 factories, it’s either one of each.

Now, here’s the interesting part. When deciding whether to take the locomotive or the factory first, it only matters if you’re acquiring 2 locomotives with different numbers. For example, if you’re getting the last one from pile #3 and the first one from pile #4, your decision matters.

#image.jpgIndustrialization

The Other Road To Scoring Points!

Here’s another action you can take in the game – industrialization. Industrialization not only allows you to score points during the scoring phase, but it also grants you access to the special abilities of your factories.

To industrialize your network, you’ll need a couple of things:

• Industrialization Actions,
• Industry Marker.

How do you go about industrializing your railroad network?

First, you place the necessary workers on one of the spots designated for industrialization. After that, you move your Industry marker the number of spaces stated by the chosen action spot.

Is it possible to skip over the gap on your Industry Track?

You may have noticed that there’s a gap following the first 4 spaces on your industry track. Just so you know, you can’t move your Industry marker into or past this gap.

How Can You Fill These Gaps?

To move forward in your industry track, you need to fill these gaps with factories. This is a way to show that your industries are getting better.

Every factory has a space for your Industry marker to move onto. Once you reach a factory, a new space for your marker opens up.

Important: If you want to reach the last space on your industry track, you have to fill all five gaps with factories first.

When a marker arrives at a factory, what happens next?

As soon as a marker reaches a factory, you have to use the ability of that factory right away. If you can’t use it at that moment, the effect is canceled.

What sets the 3 industrialization actions apart?

To begin, I need to assign one worker for the top action. This action will move me one step forward on the industry track.

Next, I’ll need to place two workers for the middle action. This action will give me two advancements on the industry track.

Lastly, for the bottom action, I’ll also place two workers. This will result in one advancement on the industry track, as well as one black track advancement.

Now, let’s talk about the auxiliary actions. These three actions are a bit different from the ones we discussed earlier, but they are simple to understand and play.

The first auxiliary action I want to mention is the Doubler.

#image.jpgIf you want to take advantage of an opportunity, just put one of your workers on this special spot. By doing so, you can grab a doubler from the available supply. Now comes the interesting part. You need to find an empty space above the Trans-Siberian Railway and put the doubler there. Remember, you can only put one doubler in each of the eight dashed spaces, and you must do it from left to right. Trust me, it’s a great way to enhance your chances of success! #image.jpg

2 Roubles

#image.jpgWhen you place one of your workers on this action space, you’ll get 2 roubles from the supply. These roubles go directly to you to use however you want. Think of them as your own personal currency. #image.jpg

Why are roubles important?

Well, let me tell you, roubles are like gold in this game. They’re valuable and can give you a huge advantage. With roubles, you can buy all sorts of things that will help you win. You can use them to upgrade your trains, build more tracks, or even hire additional workers.

So, the more roubles you have, the better off you’ll be. They’re the key to building a successful railroad empire. Don’t underestimate the power of roubles!

When you play on certain action spaces, you have the option to use roubles instead of workers. This means that instead of using one of your workers, you can use a rouble from your supply. It’s a way to save your workers for other actions.

Hey there, let’s talk about combining roubles and workers, shall we?

So, you might be wondering, why would anyone want to combine roubles and workers? Well, it turns out, there are some pretty interesting reasons why people do this.

First of all, let’s break it down a bit. Roubles, in case you’re not familiar, are the currency used in Russia. They’re like the Russian version of dollars or euros. On the other hand, workers refer to the people who work in a particular job or industry. So now you might be thinking, how do these two things actually come together?

Well, combining roubles and workers can actually open up a lot of opportunities. For example, let’s say you have a business and you need to hire some workers. By combining roubles and workers, you can offer them a salary in roubles. This can be beneficial for both the workers and your business.

Here’s why: When you pay your workers in roubles, you’re giving them a chance to earn and spend money in their own country. This can help stimulate the local economy and support local businesses. Plus, it can also make your business more attractive to potential workers, as they won’t have to worry about exchanging currency or dealing with exchange rates.

But that’s not all. Combining roubles and workers can also help you save money. When you pay your workers in roubles, you don’t have to worry about currency conversion fees or fluctuations in exchange rates. This can make managing your finances a whole lot simpler.

So, if you’re considering combining roubles and workers, it’s definitely something worth exploring. Just remember, it’s important to consider the specific needs and circumstances of your business before making any decisions. By taking the time to understand the advantages and potential challenges, you can make an informed choice that’s right for you.

Hey there! Let’s talk about how you can use your resources wisely in this game. You have two options: spend 1 rouble and use 1 worker, or spend 2 roubles. But be careful, you can’t use 2 workers. It’s all about finding the right balance!

To use this action, all you need is 1 rouble (don’t worry, I’ll explain what that is in a bit). No workers required.

Get 2 Temporary Workers

#image.jpgPut 1 worker on this spot and you’ll earn 2 turquoise temporary workers. These guys are special because they’ll act as if they were your own color, so you can make the most of them this round. Check them out: #image.jpg

#image.jpgEngineers

They’re Always Up to Something

Engineers are super useful. They have special skills that can help you out during the game. Plus, they can give you extra points at the end of the game. Nice!

This is where the engineers hang out on the game board:

How can you use and hire engineers?

Hey, guess what? I’m here to tell you all about how you can hire and use engineers in this super cool game! It’s really exciting, so let’s jump right in!

Okay, so here’s the deal. In each round of the game, there’s only one engineer that you can hire. And guess where this engineer is? Yup, you got it – right in the last space on the right of the engineer area on the game board. That’s where the magic happens!

So, if you want to hire an engineer, you gotta do this: place a rouble on the hiring action space. Boom! Just like that, you’ve secured an engineer for yourself. Grab the engineer from that hiring space and put them on your player board, with the light side facing up. It’s like adding a piece to your puzzle!

Now, here’s the really cool thing. Each engineer has their own special action on the light side. And you can use these actions just like the ones on the game board. It’s like having your own little team of experts!

Even if you can’t use the entire action, it’s no biggie. You can still use your engineer’s action, even if you’re not able to use it completely. It’s all about making the most of what you’ve got!

Oh, and here’s an awesome bonus. Since these engineers are “yours”, you don’t have to worry about anyone else stealing them away. They’re not “time sensitive” like the other actions in the game. That means you can use them whenever you want, exactly when you need them. How cool is that?

So there you have it – the scoop on using and hiring engineers. I hope you’re as pumped up about it as I am!

The Two Enlightened Engineers

When the two engineers are placed with their light side up on the board, you gain access to their special abilities. Remember, these engineers cannot be hired like other workers. They simply provide additional action spaces for all players, just like the track extension and locomotive. Keep in mind that each of these actions can only be used once per round.

For example: Let’s say I, Red, place one of my workers on the left engineer and immediately use its action.

Action: I take a doubler token from the supply and place it on the first available space (starting from the left) above my TRaNS-SIbERIaN train card. As a bonus, I earn 3 points, which I show by moving my pawn three spaces ahead on the scoring track.

The Four Engineers on the Left

So here’s the deal: These engineers aren’t up for grabs right now. They can’t be used or hired at the moment. But, here’s the twist: at the end of each round, every engineer moves one space to the right. What does that mean? Well, it means that these engineers will become available in the next rounds. And that’s pretty cool because it gives you a chance to plan ahead for what’s coming up next.