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American Rails cover
2009BGG rank #2,601

American Rails

by Tim Harrison · Games on the Brain

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Players3–5
Time90m
ComplexityMedium-Light
Age14+

About the game

What is American Rails?

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.

How it plays

Mechanics

Action DraftingAuction / BiddingIncomeInvestmentNegotiationNetwork and Route BuildingStock HoldingTurn Order: Claim ActionVictory Points as a Resource

On the shelf

Categories

EconomicTrains

Questions players ask

Questions to bring to BoardGameBrain

  • How do setup and the first turn work in American Rails?
  • When does scoring happen and what ends the game?
  • How should the table resolve an unusual timing or rules interaction?