# Railways of North America: The Golden Spike

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2019
- **BGG Rating**: 8.0
- **BGG Rank**: —
- **Players**: 2-6 (Best with: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
- **Duration**: 120-180 min
- **Weight**: 2.00 / 5
- **Designers**: Glenn Drover, Martin Wallace
- **Artists**: David Oram, Paul Niemeyer
- **Publishers**: Eagle-Gryphon Games
- **Categories**: Expansion for Base-game, Trains
- **Mechanics**: Action Points, Auction / Bidding, Network and Route Building, Pick-up and Deliver, Tile Placement

## Verdict
If you love deep rail strategy games, you'll enjoy this expansion that adds epic routes and new challenges to Railways of the World.Epic routesAuction mechanicAction challengeBaron cardsNetwork strategyLong playtimeModerate complexityLimited componentsHIGHLY RECOMMENDED

## Description
Railways of North America: The Golden Spike is a 22-card deck designed for players who want to play the Transcontinental edition of Railways of the World, combining the East US portion of the base game with the West US expansion. The set includes six overview cards that introduce four new major routes on both the eastern and western maps; four service bounties that enable bidding and negotiation; and twelve baron cards that add an extra layer of strategy. All cards feature the iconic ‘Golden Spike’ symbol, indicating they belong to this expansion. The game runs with 2 to 6 players, takes 120 to 180 minutes, and has a weight of 2/5, indicating moderate complexity. Core mechanics include action points, auction, network and route building, pick‑up and deliver, and tile placement, blending strategic planning with real‑time investment decisions. If you enjoy railway games that demand route planning, negotiation, and smart resource use, this set provides additional challenges that enrich the original Railways of the World experience.

## FAQ
### How many players can play?
2 to 6 players.

### What is the approximate playtime?
Between 120 and 180 minutes, depending on experience.

### Is the game complex?
It has a weight of 2/5, so it’s moderate; it requires some experience with route management.

### What are the main components?
A 22‑card deck, including overview cards, routes, service bounties, and baron cards, plus the standard track pieces from the base game.

### Who is this recommended for?
Railway game fans who enjoy building routes, negotiating, and using action strategies.

### How does the auction work?
Players bid on service or route cards, and the highest bidder wins the card to use on their route.

### Is there a learning curve?
Yes, but most players familiar with Railways of the World adapt quickly.