# Ride the Rails ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2020 - **BGG Rating**: 7.1 - **BGG Rank**: #1870 - **Players**: 3-5 (Best with: 4) - **Duration**: 45-60 min - **Weight**: 2.29 / 5 - **Designers**: John Bohrer - **Artists**: Ian O'Toole - **Publishers**: Capstone Games - **Categories**: Economic, Trains, Transportation - **Mechanics**: Hexagon Grid, Network and Route Building, Pick-up and Deliver, Stock Holding, Turn Order: Stat-Based ## Verdict If you enjoy laying tracks while cashing in on stock dividends, Ride the Rails hits the spot.Smooth route buildingSimple stock mechanicShort playtimeLearning curve for rulesShare performance luckRECOMMENDED ## Description The station is buzzing with eager travelers ready to board the rails that span the United States. In Ride the Rails each player acts as an investor in railway companies, laying tracks on a hex‑grid map of the country. Every round a new railroad enters the game, each with its own special placement rules, forcing you to adapt your tactics each turn. The main goal is to transport as many passengers as possible between cities, earning points for successful deliveries. But watch out: while you deliver, you also collect dividends from the shares of the companies you use, making the stock market as crucial as the rail network itself. The pick‑up‑and‑deliver mechanic has you gather passengers at origin cities and drop them off at distant destinations, while the network‑and‑route‑building aspect demands efficient path choices, taking advantage of the flexible hexagonal grid. Turn order shifts dynamically based on statistics such as cash or influence, which can flip the board at any moment. With a light weight (2.3/5) and a playtime of 45‑60 minutes, the game is approachable for 3‑5 players, perfect for a relaxed game night or a club session. Beyond the fun, the game adds an economic layer: buying shares of the most successful railroads yields extra points, but also requires you to keep an eye on rivals’ performance. The national‑scale map, cube‑shaped track pieces, and passenger cards create an immersive train‑travel atmosphere across America. In short, Ride the Rails blends resource management, route planning, and a dash of stock‑market intrigue, delivering a smooth, decision‑rich experience each round. ## FAQ ### How many players can play? 3 to 5 players. ### What is the typical playing time? Between 45 and 60 minutes, depending on player count. ### How complex is the game? Light to moderate (weight 2.3/5), suitable for newcomers to strategic board games. ### What components are included? National hex map, cube track pieces, passenger cards, share tokens, money and scoring markers. ### Do I need prior experience with train games? No, the rules are straightforward and tutorial videos are available to help you get started. ### Are there expansions or variants? Ride the Rails is the second title in the Iron Rail line, but no official expansions have been released yet. ### Who will enjoy this game the most? Fans of economic, route‑building and light stock‑market games. ## Price Comparison ### Best International Offers - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 31.97 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=4814840&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 31.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=2189739&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 31.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=1776293&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 31.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=4801494&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 36.64 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6723242&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 38.49 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=3438525&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 38.67 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6860542&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 39.38 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=2271304&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 39.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=4880323&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 40.64 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=2306523&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/32446/ride-the-rails?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com