Rail Barons of the World

Rail Barons of the World arrives as the first universal expansion for the Railways of the World series. Its main hook is a Rail Baron deck that works with any map in the line, giving each player personal objectives to achieve and score points while expanding their railway network. The expansion also adds a solid solo mode, designed by Dávid Turczi and John Albertson, usable on seven different maps – Eastern US, Mexico, Portugal, Nippon, Great Britain, Sweden and Australia. In solo play, the lone engineer faces unique challenges such as resource limits and delivery goals that test planning and network efficiency.

The mechanics are familiar to series fans: action points to decide how many builds you can perform each turn, auctions that set turn order and let you bid for powerful cards, and open drafting of tiles that let you shape the map. Building connections and routes remains the core, while pick‑up‑and‑deliver adds an extra strategic layer of cargo handling. Components are well laid out, with translated cards and reference sheets that smooth the learning curve.

Playing time ranges from 45 to 120 minutes and supports 1‑6 players, while the low complexity (2.25/5 weight) makes it perfect for those who want a deeper Railways experience without drowning in heavy rules. In short, Rail Barons of the World broadens the railway universe with fresh goals, more replay value, and a solo mode that truly shines.