Ride the Rails (2020) Board Game

Ride the Rails is a board game designed by Ian O’Toole and published by Capstone Games in in 2020. The game falls under the categories of Economic, Trains, and Transportation, and it offers players an engaging experience of building railway networks and investing in train stocks.

Game Components of Ride the Rails

Game board featuring a map (base game includes a map of the United States, with expansion maps for France/Germany and Australia/Canada)

Locomotive pieces in six different colors

Player boards

Passenger tokens

Share tokens

Rule sheet (fits on a single double-sided sheet of A4 paper).

How To Setup Ride the Rails

To set up the game, players start by placing the game board in the middle of the playing area. Each city on the map receives a passenger token. The locomotive pieces are separated by color and placed within reach of all players. Players determine the starting order randomly and begin with no shares or locomotives on their player boards. The first round starts with only two railroad companies available (blue and red), and each subsequent round introduces a new company until all six are available.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Share Taking: Players select shares from available railroad companies in reverse turn order.

Track Building: Players build railroad tracks using locomotives of the colors they own shares in.

Riding the Rails: Players transport passengers across the map, earning money for the cities visited and for using railroad routes they own shares in.

Game Objective

The objective is to accumulate the most money by strategically building railroad tracks, taking shares, and transporting passengers. The game is played over six rounds, with the player having the most money at the end declared the winner.

Player Experience

**Ride the Rails** offers a dynamic and interactive experience. The game starts simply, with limited choices, but evolves into a complex optimization puzzle as more railroad companies become available. Players must balance their strategies with the actions of other players, as each passenger route can benefit multiple players. The game encourages strategic thinking and adaptation, making each playthrough unique.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple rules that fit on a single sheet.

No Auctions: Unlike many cube rail games, there are no auctions to manage.

High Player Interaction: Players constantly interact by building tracks and transporting passengers.

Quick Gameplay: A five-player game can be completed in about an hour.

Strategic Depth: The game offers plenty of strategies to explore with repeated plays.

Cons

Scoring Can Be Cumbersome: Tracking and calculating scores during the passenger transport phase can be time-consuming.

Mean Player Interactions: The game can be mean, as players may interfere with each other’s plans.

Personal Thoughts on Ride the Rails

**Ride the Rails** is ideal for those looking to get into train games without the complexity of the 18xx series. It’s great for both new players and experienced gamers who enjoy strategic planning and interactive gameplay. The game’s simplicity and quick playtime make it an excellent addition to any board game collection, especially for those who enjoy cube rail games. However, it may not be the best fit for players who prefer games with minimal player interaction or those who are averse to a bit of mathematical scoring downtime.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.