Contents
American Rails Game Rules
Hey there! Have you ever wanted to dive into the exciting world of railroad operations? Well, you’re in luck because I’m here to tell you all about American Rails, a thrilling board game that lets you experience the challenges and triumphs of running a railroad empire. Strap in, my friend, because we’re about to embark on an adventure!
The Basics
Let’s start with the basics. In American Rails, your goal is to become the most successful railroad tycoon. You’ll do this by constructing railway tracks, transporting goods, and expanding your network across the United States. It’s a game of strategy and cunning, and every decision you make will have consequences.
Setting Up
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s take a look at how to set up the game. First, lay out the game board, which represents a map of the United States. Then, each player picks a color and receives a set of train tokens and money chips. Shuffle the money cards and deal each player five cards face down. Finally, create a supply of railroad cards and goods cubes. Once that’s all sorted, you’re ready to roll!
Gameplay
Now that we have the setup covered, let’s dive into the gameplay. The game is played in rounds, with each round consisting of three phases: the income phase, the action phase, and the event phase. During the income phase, you earn money based on the size of your railroad network. In the action phase, you have a range of actions to choose from, such as building tracks or buying cards. Finally, the event phase is where unexpected events can occur, so prepare for surprises!
Building Tracks
Building tracks is a fundamental part of American Rails. To build a track, you’ll need to spend money and play matching railroad cards from your hand. Tracks can only be built between cities, and connecting more cities means more opportunities for profit. Keep an eye out for strategic connections and route optimizations to maximize your earnings.
Transporting Goods
Once you have tracks built, it’s time to start transporting goods. Goods cubes represent valuable resources that need to be moved from one city to another. By transporting goods, you earn money and increase your reputation. But be careful, as other players can also transport goods on your tracks, so keep an eye on your opponents!
Expanding Your Network
As your railroad empire grows, you’ll want to expand your network to new cities. To do this, you’ll need to spend money and play matching railroad cards. The more cities your network covers, the more money you’ll earn. But remember, expanding too quickly can come with risks, so choose your expansion wisely.
The Winner
And now, the moment of truth. How do you win American Rails? Well, the game ends when a predetermined number of goods cubes have been transported. The player with the most money at the end of the game is declared the winner and becomes the ultimate railroad tycoon. Congratulations!
So, there you have it – the exhilarating world of American Rails. This game will test your wit, strategy, and decision-making skills as you strive to build your railroad empire. Are you ready to take on the challenge? Get ready to lay your tracks, transport goods, and outmaneuver your opponents. All aboard!
Ok, let’s get started! First, I’ll place the white cubes and shares for American on the table, right next to its designated spot at the bottom of the board. This is where we’ll keep the company’s treasury and supply. And don’t worry, each company has its own space. I’ll do the same for the other five companies as well.
Now, if we’re playing with three players, we need to randomly choose one company and remove it from the game. We’ll take all of its shares and cubes and put them back in the box. That company won’t be joining us for this round.
Next, let’s take one cube from each company’s supply and place it on the zero space of the income track on the board. This will help keep track of everyone’s earnings.
Alright, now it’s time to place the 12 black development markers in the development supply area on the game board. These markers will come in handy later on, so let’s make sure they’re easily accessible.
Lastly, I’ll put the black train on the space marked 1851 on the year track. This will serve as a starting point for our journey.
Before we begin, each player needs to grab a summary card and an action marker that matches their color. These will help us strategize and make our moves.
Hey there! Let’s get started with the game of Railroad Tycoon. First, pick someone to be the banker and give them all the money. Make sure the bank money is separate from what the players have. Next, the banker gives each player their starting cash. Here’s how it breaks down:
– $50 for each of the 3 players
– $50 for each of the 4 players
– $40 for each of the 5 players
Just so you know, everyone’s money is public information. Now, onto starting the game. Before we kick things off, there’s an auction for one share from each railroad company. The banker chooses one share from any of the six companies and puts it up for auction. Each player, going clockwise around the table, can bid or pass. The minimum bid is $10. If you pass, you’re out of the auction. Let the games begin!
So here’s what happens during the auction: we keep going round the table until everyone but one player has dropped out. That last player, the winner of the auction, does a few things:
- Puts the share they won face up in front of them, with their personal stash.
- Adds their final bid to the company’s treasury.
- Takes a cube from the company’s supply and puts it on any empty city on the map.
- Move the company’s income marker to the same number as the starting city’s full income.
- Puts their action marker on the lowest available space on the turn order track. If their marker is already on the track, they can skip this step.
- Selects a share from any remaining company and starts a new auction for it.
- When it’s my turn in American Rails, I have a choice to make: bid or pass. If no one bids for a share, that share is taken out of the game for good. The last player to pass gets to select a share from another company to put up for auction. We keep going like this in the preparation round until we have one share from each company up for auction. If any shares were removed, we’ll start the game with fewer than six railroad companies on the map. And if any of us don’t have any shares at the end of the preparation round, we’ll place our markers on the lowest remaining numbers on the turn order track, starting with the banker and going clockwise.
Playing the Game
A game of American Rails can last for up to seven rounds, covering the years 1851 to 1857 on the year track. Each round is divided into three action phases, followed by a dividend phase.
Action Phases and Turn Order
When we start each round, it’s my turn first if my action marker is at the top of the turn order track (space #1). I move my marker to an empty space in the first column of the action track, and then I have a decision to make – should I take that action or not? Then it’s the next player’s turn on the turn order track, and they do the same thing. We keep going like this until everyone has taken one action.
For the second and third action phases, the order is determined by the previous phase. The player whose action marker is closest to the top on the action track moves their marker to the right, to an empty space in the next column of the action track. They also have to decide if they want to take that action or not. Then the next player, who is again closest to the top on the action track, does the same thing. We continue like this until everyone has taken an action.
Here’s what’s going on: I’m Rick, the brown player. Next up are Mike in purple and Alary in pink.
- I’m moving my action marker to the Expand V- action and deciding to implement it.
- Then Mike moves his action marker to the ‘Develop’ action.
- Mary wanted to perform a ‘Develop’ action, but Mike already blocked it.
- To ensure that she won’t be blocked again in the next action phase, Mary moves her action marker to the ‘Pass’ action. This way, she’ll be the first to choose the second action.
Now, let’s move on to the second action phase: This time, Mary gets to choose first and moves her action marker to the ‘Develop’ action.
- If I place the cube in a city, I get $2 plus $2 for each track cube or development marker already in the hex. This can add up to a nice amount!
- If the hex is a plain, I also get $2, but this time it’s only $2 per track cube already in the hex.
- Now, if I place the cube in a forest, it’s going to cost me $3. But I have to remember that I can only place one cube in a forest hex. It’s like a special rule just for forests.
- And finally, if I place the cube in a mountain, I have to pay $5. Just like with forests, I can only have one cube in a mountain hex.
- After careful consideration, I decide to take a blue cube from the Republic company’s supply. I strategically place it on an empty hex adjacent to St. Louis on the board.
- Next, I collect $2 from the Republic company’s treasury since I placed a cube on a plains hex. I promptly pay the bank the required fee.
- Moving on, I take another blue cube and choose to place it on another empty hex on the board. As I do this, I collect another $2 from the Republic company’s treasury and pay the bank accordingly. Interestingly, the last cube I take is from the Majestic company’s supply.
- I strategically place this cube in the same hex where I had placed the first cube for the Republic company. Finally, I collect $4 from the Majestic company’s treasury since there is already a cube on a plains hex. I pay the bank promptly.
I’ll move my action marker to the ‘Auction a share’ action.
Rick will move his action marker to the ‘Fund $5’ action.
When we reach the third action phase, Mary will start again, followed by Rick, and then me.
Now, on to the dividend phase.
After we’ve gone through three action phases, we each receive a dividend for every share we own.
To calculate the dividend payment, we take the current income of the company from the income track and divide it by the number of shares held by the players.
We round up and only consider the shares that haven’t been sold or removed from the game.
The bank pays us the money we deserve.
Once every company has distributed its dividends, we reach the end of a round. Now, let’s take a look at the conditions that signal the end of the game on the following page. If the game is still ongoing, we need to shift the player action markers from the right column of the action track to the turn order track, ensuring they remain in the same order.
Next, we move the year marker on the year track forward by one space and proceed to the next round.
In this example, Majestic (yellow) currently has a total income of $19. Rick holds 2 shares in this company, while Mary holds 1 share. Therefore, the dividend per share is $7 ($19 divided by 3, rounded up). As a result, Rick receives $14 from the bank, and Mary receives $7 from the bank.
Let’s look at another example. In the last action phase, Mary chooses the ‘Fund $5’ action, Rick chooses the ‘Expand 2 or Take $2’ action, and Mike chooses the ‘Expand 4’ action.
The new turn order will be Mary (pink), Rick (brown), and Mike (purple).
The Actions
Here is a list of actions that you can perform in the game. You must either take the entire action or none at all (unless stated otherwise).
No Input Provided
It seems like you haven’t provided any input. Please enter some text and try again.
Development
So, here’s what you do: you grab a black development marker, which is basically a black house, and you put it down on any city that hasn’t been developed yet. The only requirement is that there must be at least one track cube of any color in that city.
Now, why is this important? Well, when you add a development marker to a city, its value goes up. The full value increases by $2, and the shared value goes up by $1. This means more money for everyone involved! Oh, and don’t forget about the income markers for the companies that have tracks in that city. You’ll need to adjust them too.
But hold up! There are some cities that you can’t develop: New York, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Boston, and Chicago. They’re the ones with black squares next to their income values. No development markers for them, and their income stays the same as it is on the map. No fancy upgrades for them!
Example: When I was playing the game, I made my move during the first action phase. I decided to go with the Develop action and placed a black house on Cincinnati. Luckily, there was already a green track cube in Cincinnati, and there were no black squares next to the income value. This meant that I could carry out the action without any issues.
A Five-Dollar Boost for Railroads
Today, I want to talk about a fascinating move you can make in the game. Have you ever thought about bolstering a railroad company’s funds? Well, it turns out that there’s a way to do just that! Let me explain.
When you’re playing and you find yourself in need of some extra cash, here’s a neat trick you can try: take five dollars from the bank and contribute it to any one railroad company. It’s a simple move, but it can have a significant impact on the game.
By giving a financial boost to a railroad, you’re helping to strengthen them in various ways. With more funds at their disposal, they’ll be better equipped to expand their routes, improve their infrastructure, and even acquire more powerful locomotives. This can lead to substantial growth and influence for the railroad in question.
Of course, it’s important to choose the right railroad company to support. You’ll want to consider factors like their current position on the board, their potential for growth, and their overall strategy. By carefully selecting which railroad to invest in, you can maximize the benefits of your five-dollar contribution.
So, next time you’re playing and find yourself looking for a way to shake things up, consider boosting a railroad company’s finances. It might just be the game-changing move you need to tip the scales in your favor. Good luck!
Get $2 (or Grow 2)
When I want to get some extra cash, I can take $2 from the bank and add it to my own money stash. I can also choose to take $2 from every other player and give it back to the bank.
But wait, there’s another option! In a game with four or five players, I have the choice to take a different kind of action called “Expand 2” instead. This action is explained in detail under the “Expand” section.
Here’s how it works: I get to choose one share from any company in the game and put it up for auction. I can either bid or pass, but the minimum bid is $10. Then, we go around the table, with each player having a chance to make a higher bid or pass.
Once a player passes, they’re out of the auction and cannot participate any longer. The auction continues until only one player is left. That player is the winner of the auction and gets to take the share. They have to pay their final bid to the company’s treasury.
If no one bids for the share, we have to remove it from the game. But if someone does buy the share, and that company hasn’t appeared on the map yet, the buyer has to take a cube from the supply and place it in any empty city on the map. They also set the company’s income to the full value of that city.
If no one lives in a city, I remove my purchased share and all the other shares from the company. It’s like cleaning up a board game – once the city is empty, the game is over.
Expanding the Game
When I play the game, I get to make some exciting moves. One of these moves is taking a track cube from any company I own shares in and placing it on a hex that has another cube of the same color next to it. It’s important to remember that each hex can only have one cube of each color, and a forest or mountain hex can’t have more than one cube.
Once I place the cube, I get to collect money from the company’s treasury. But I’m not just taking money, I also have to pay the bank. The amount of money I receive and pay depends on the terrain of the hex where I placed the cube. Let’s see how it works:
So, I have to think carefully about where to place my cubes. It’s a bit of a puzzle, trying to maximize my earnings while avoiding spending too much. But with a bit of strategy, I can make some smart moves and come out on top!
In order to build a railway track, the company that owns it must cover the entire cost. Neither I, as a player, nor any other individual, can pay for it using their own money. The funds must come directly from the company’s treasury. If the company doesn’t have enough money to cover the cost, we cannot proceed with placing the track cube.
Once the cost is covered, I can then proceed to place additional track cubes. Depending on the action I choose, I can place up to four cubes for the Expand 4 action, three cubes for the Expand 3 action, or two cubes for the Expand 2 action (only in games with four or five players).
Remember: I need to select and place the cubes one at a time. This means that the subsequent cubes do not need to be placed next to the ones I placed earlier in the same action. Additionally, the cubes do not have to be owned by the same company.
Example: In the first phase of action, I chose to expand my businesses. Since I already have a few shares in different companies, I have the opportunity to expand those particular businesses.
My Company’s Income
Let’s talk about my company’s income and how it affects us. We all know that money matters, but have you ever wondered why income is so important for a business? Well, let me explain.
First of all, income is what keeps a company afloat. It’s the lifeblood that allows us to pay our employees, buy essential supplies, and invest in new opportunities. Without income, we wouldn’t be able to operate or grow.
But income is more than just a means to an end. It’s also a reflection of our success. When we generate income, it shows that our products or services are valuable to our customers. It’s validation that what we’re doing is working.
However, income is not guaranteed. We need to constantly adapt and evolve to stay ahead. We need to understand our customers’ needs and preferences, and deliver what they want. This means keeping a close eye on market trends and staying up to date with the latest technology.
Generating income is a challenge. It requires hard work, dedication, and sometimes taking risks. But it’s also incredibly rewarding. Seeing our company thrive and knowing that we’re making a difference is a feeling like no other.
So, how do we generate income? Well, it starts with providing a product or service that people want. We need to solve a problem or fulfill a need. But it’s not just about the product itself. It’s also about the experience we provide, the customer service we offer, and the value we bring.
Building a strong brand and reputation is crucial. People need to trust us and believe in what we do. Word of mouth is incredibly powerful, and satisfied customers can become our biggest advocates.
Of course, it’s not just about generating income. It’s also about managing it effectively. We need to make smart financial decisions, invest wisely, and plan for the future. We need to balance short-term needs with long-term goals, and always be prepared for the unexpected.
Income is the foundation of our business, but it’s not the only measure of success. It’s also about the impact we have on our employees, our customers, and our community. It’s about creating a company we can be proud of and making a difference in the world.
Conclusion
So, as we can see, income is vital for any company. It’s what allows us to grow, thrive, and make a difference. But it’s not just about the money. It’s also about the people, the passion, and the purpose behind what we do. Income is the fuel that drives us forward, but it’s our values and our vision that truly define us.
Hey there! Did you know that companies can make more money by connecting their tracks to cities? It’s pretty cool, right? Each city has two income values printed in the hex. The full value of the city, which you can find on the left, is used when only one company has a track in that city. On the right, you’ll see the shared value of the city, which is used when two or more companies have tracks there.
Here’s the interesting part: whenever a track cube is placed in a city, the income track markers change. Let me break it down for you:
When the first track cube is placed in a city, the company that owns that track gets a boost in income by the full value of the city. It’s like a reward for being the first one to connect to a city!
If you place another track cube in a city, the company that owns it will earn more money. The income is increased by the value that the city is worth to all the companies. But, if there was already a cube in the city, that company will now only earn the shared value of the city. The shared value is the value that all the companies get. So the company’s income will be reduced by the difference between the full value and the shared value of the city.
If more track cubes are placed in the city, all the companies that own a cube there will earn more money. The income is increased by the shared value of the city.
The company’s income has no limit. It can keep growing.
Note: A development marker makes a city more valuable. It adds $2 to the full value of the city and $1 to the shared value. So if only one company has a cube in a developed city, it will earn an extra $2. But if another company’s cube is added to the city, the development marker will only add $1 more.
Let me show you an example: There’s a city called Buffalo and National runs through it. Then, Liberty builds a track there too.
So, here’s what happens: Liberty gets $4 more in income. $3 is because of the value they share with Buffalo, and an additional dollar for the development marker. On the other hand, National loses $2 from its income. This is $1 because Buffalo’s full value is less than its shared value (4-3), and $1 because the development bonus drops from $2 to $1.
Extra Income for Special Connections
If a company’s track connects both Chicago and New York, Chicago and Atlanta, or New York and Atlanta, that company gets an immediate income boost of $10 (in addition to whatever the cities are worth).
A bonus can only be received by a company once for each of the three potential special connections.
Please note that if a company’s track is connected to two of the cities, it will receive a $10 bonus. However, if it connects to the third city, it will receive an additional $20 bonus because connecting the third city completes two special connections at the same time.
Negotiation is encouraged during the game. You can openly discuss strategy, analyze actions, or negotiate agreements with other players at any time. Keep in mind that no cash or shares can be exchanged, and no promises are binding.
It’s worth noting that some groups may prefer to play without negotiation or other forms of discussion about gameplay. If that’s the case, players should agree to disallow it before starting the game.
The game ends when all the companies have been closed down, and the player with the most money wins.
The game comes to an end when certain conditions are met. These conditions include: the year marker reaching 1857, all shares being sold or removed from the game, or a certain number of supplies having two or fewer cubes remaining. For 3 players, this number is 3 supplies; for 4 players, it’s 4 supplies; and for 5 players, it’s 5 supplies. The player who has the most money at the end of the game is declared the winner. In the case of a tie, all tied players are considered winners.