Russian Railroads

Hans im Glück, 999 Games, Asterion Press · Board game · 2013
2–4 · best 4 120 min Weight 3.4/5
8.6 rating Ludopedia
7.7 rating BGG
8.6 rating Ludopedia
7.7 rating BGG
Our Verdict

If you enjoy a heavy euro with deep strategy and optimization, Russian Railroads is a fantastic choice! Get ready to build a railway empire and rack your brain every turn.

Highlights
  • Classic worker placement
  • Multiple scoring strategies
  • Addictive track progression
  • Unique engineer powers
  • High replayability
Keep in mind
  • Can be complex for beginners
  • Indirect player interaction
  • Considerable playtime
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Learn How to Play Step by Step Check out our complete step-by-step rules guide.
Access Rules Guide
About the game
In Russian Railroads, the race to build Russia's most impressive and advanced railway network is in full swing! You and your friends will compete to see who can best manage their workers and resources to expand tracks, modernize locomotives, and develop new technologies. Each round, you allocate your workers to different action spaces on the central board to perform crucial tasks. This could mean advancing your tracks towards important cities, acquiring more powerful locomotives that cover greater distances, or investing in factories that boost your technological capabilities.

A cool twist is that your tracks must be built in a specific color order (black, gray, brown, natural, white), and more advanced tracks can never surpass earlier ones. As you progress, you'll unlock valuable bonuses, such as the ability to start a new track type or earn victory points and bonus tiles. The locomotives you associate with each track line determine how far you score, while factories, which can be flipped to different sides, offer upgrades and points.

Engineers are key pieces, offering unique powers and becoming exclusive worker-placement spots for you. At the end of each of the seven rounds (or six, in 2-3 player games), victory points are calculated based on the progress of your tracks and factories. Whoever builds the most successful railway empire and achieves the highest score by the end of the game claims victory! Get ready for plenty of strategy and tough decisions in this medium-heavy euro.
Rules videos

In English

Rules manual
Rules manual — Russian Railroads English · PDF
Download PDF
BEST PLAYER COUNT
2 REC
3 REC
4 BEST
WHERE TO BUY
Finding best prices...
Game details

Families

Country: Russia Digital Implementations: Board Game Arena Digital Implementations: Yucata Game: Russian Railroads Mechanism: Tableau Building
Publisher Hans im Glück, 999 Games, Asterion Press, Bard Centrum Gier, Devir, Filosofia Éditions
Designer Helmut Ohley, Leonhard "Lonny" Orgler
Artist Claus Stephan, Martin Hoffmann
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the complexity level of Russian Railroads?
It's considered a medium-heavy complexity game (BGG weight of 3.39/5). It offers many strategic options and requires careful planning, making it more suitable for experienced eurogame players.
How many players can play and what's the playtime?
Russian Railroads can be played by 2 to 4 players. The playtime ranges from 120 to 120 minutes, depending on the number of participants and familiarity with the rules.
What is the main objective of the game?
The main objective is to accumulate the most victory points by building and modernizing your railway network, developing factories, and efficiently utilizing engineers. The player with the most points at the end of 7 rounds (or 6 in games with fewer players) wins.
Are the components language-dependent?
No, Russian Railroads has very little language dependency in its components. The rulebook and engineer texts might require translation, but the game itself is largely iconographic.
Is it a good game for someone new to the hobby?
It's not ideal for absolute beginners due to its complexity and strategic depth. It's better suited for players who already have some experience with strategy board games and worker placement mechanics.
Are there any expansions for Russian Railroads?
Yes, the most well-known expansion is 'German Railroads', which adds a fifth player, new locomotives, tracks, and a new board for Germany, along with additional modules for the base game.
What makes Russian Railroads stand out among other train games?
It stands out for its well-optimized worker placement mechanic, the multiple progression tracks (trains, factories, engineers) that offer diverse scoring strategies, and the satisfying feeling of building an efficient point-scoring engine throughout the game.