Railroad Tycoon - Tips & Strategies

This version of the game consisted of 3 large boards that is really just too big for fewer players. Many of the expansions tried to address this by adding new maps specifically designed for less players. If you still have this version of the game and no expansions, try out this simple “variant.”

Only use one of the boards for two player games. The best one to use is the middle section as it includes the two Red Cities of Chicago and Charleston. It includes enough geography in the mountains and rivers to keep it tight. You eliminate the NE corridor that is too righ for two players (since both need to invest in that area to keep the game close). You also have all 4 starting city colors.

The South portion is also acceptable but you lose all Red Cities (so redraw and replace a red cube) and the purple city of Savannah is cut off but still usable. The board is much more wide open as the mountains are few and easily passable.

Our group uses the bidding system where both high bidder and second bidder pay as well as the first to pass is the last player etc

I’ve found that aggressively improving your engine as soon as you’re able (though not at the cost of excessive shares sold) will almost always pay strong dividends. You’ll frequently find a board configuration that allows for building a loop of five to seven cities with color variance (particularly just west of the Appalachians). Having the ability to choose the “long way” around these routes will boost your profits very quickly.

It may go without saying, but taking control of the northeast early is key to doing well in this game. When playing with three or more players, it’s possible to lock players out of the key corridor links, forcing them to chase more expensive build routes. Since selling fewer shares makes such a huge difference in the early game, getting a strong foothold between Boston and Washington D.C. Is a double threat — you have more opportunities to ship on the cheap, and your opponents will burn funds and turns making longer links.