# Russian Railroads: American Railroads ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2016 - **BGG Rating**: 8.0 - **BGG Rank**: — - **Players**: 2-4 (Best with: 4) - **Duration**: 90-120 min - **Weight**: 3.41 / 5 - **Designers**: Helmut Ohley, Leonhard "Lonny" Orgler - **Artists**: Claus Stephan - **Publishers**: Hans im Glück - **Categories**: Expansion for Base-game, Industry / Manufacturing, Trains - **Mechanics**: Worker Placement ## Verdict If you love railway strategy, this expansion adds an American map that cranks up the tension.New thematic boardsHigh‑quality componentsIncreased replay valueSeamless base‑game integrationRequires base gameLearning curve for newcomersPlay time remains longHIGHLY RECOMMENDED ## Description Russian Railroads: American Railroads arrives as a mini‑expansion that upgrades player boards and adds a host of fresh elements for fans of the original Russian Railroads. The concept shifts the railway race to the United States, offering new maps, exclusive routes, and fresh construction challenges. The core mechanic stays true to worker placement: you assign your workers to limited spots to gather resources, improve stations, and advance technologies. The expansion introduces new components such as objective cards and thematic markers that slot seamlessly into the base game’s flow without demanding overly complex rules. Playtime remains roughly 90‑120 minutes, but the new boards add an extra strategic layer, each with its own opportunities and bottlenecks. If you already master the base game, the transition feels natural; if you haven’t played yet, this expansion can be a compelling reason to try the core, as the American theme opens new narrative possibilities. Complexity stays at a medium weight (about 3.4/5), making it approachable for those familiar with worker placement while still challenging enough for veterans. Components are top‑notch, featuring well‑illustrated boards and sturdy pieces typical of Stronghold’s production values. In short, American Railroads broadens the Russian Railroads experience with a fresh setting, more strategic options, and that competitive edge that keeps each game tense. ## How to Play Objective of the Game In Russian Railroads: American Railroads, players are building railroads across the USA. The game involves managing your player board, advancing tracks, developing industries, and navigating the stock market. The ultimate goal is to score the most points by the end of the game through various means, including track advancements, industry development, stock market position, and special bonuses. Preparation (Setup) Game setup is identical to the base game except for the following changes: Player Boards Each player takes a USA board in their color instead of the player board from the base game. Each player takes one of the 4 octagonal boulder-tokens that show a space with the number 8 on the back and places it on space number 8 on the bottom track of their board. Each player takes one of the other 4 octagonal boulder-tokens that show the space track with 15 points on the back and places it on the space of the industry track with the white outline and 15 points. Each player takes one "Golden Spike"-tile and places it with the rest of their components. Each player takes 3 "Done"-markers and places them with the rest of their components. Each player takes one of each of the new ?-tokens pictured in the manual and places them with their other ?-tokens. Players start the game with both industry markers from the base game. Place one of each on each of the "0"-spaces of the two industry tracks. The token for the second industry marker from the base game is not used and should be put back in the box. Stock Market Place the stocks board next to the game board so that it is visible to all players. Each player places their stock price marker in their color on the bottom of the stocks board. Place the 8 dividend-tokens next to the stocks board with the advantages face up. Each token shows a white star on the front and an advantage on the back. Place each of the 3 steelworks right next to its corresponding locomotive pile that is pictured on the front of the steelworks (as shown in the manual). Each steelworks shows a certain locomotive and a $-symbol on the front, and looks similar to a factory on the back. Fluxo do Jogo Consulte o manual para detalhes sobre esta seção. Ações e Como Jogar Player Boards The Rocky Mountaineer (Main Track): This track is treated the same as in the base game, with a few new advantages. Detonations: When you fulfill the prerequisites for one of the two spaces with a boulder-token, you immediately remove one of the boulder-tokens and place it back in the box. You immediately score 10 points. You will be able to advance a track or an industry marker onto the "freed" space as usual later. When you fulfill the prerequisites for the other space, you remove the second boulder-token from the board as described above. Special Spaces Depicting Coins: 3 spaces on the player board show a coin as an additional prerequisite next to a track in a certain color. As soon as you reach one of these spaces with the track in the color shown, you may pay a coin and receive the depicted advantage (e.g., one stocks advancement). You may do this in a later turn. After paying the coin and receiving the advantage, place one of your 3 "Done"-markers onto the symbol of the advantage to show you have already received it. You may only receive each advantage once. All other special spaces on the player board must be resolved as soon as the depicted condition is met. Transcontinental East and West: These two shorter tracks represent parts of the Transcontinental Railroad. The Transcontinental East ends on space 7, and the Transcontinental West ends on space 9. The black track cannot be moved beyond these spaces. The space where the two tracks meet has a dashed outline and a +10 points advantage. When you fulfill the conditions of the last space for one of the two tracks, you receive 10 additional points during each railroad scoring phase. If you fulfill the conditions of the last space for both tracks, you receive the advantage twice. Golden Spike: When you choose the ?-token "Golden Spike", you place the "Golden Spike"-tile within the dashed outline. You will then gain an additional advantage of +25 points during the railroad scoring phase for each of the two spaces for which you fulfill the conditions. Track Colors: You may build tracks of all colors on all the railroads on the USA board. However, you only have 2 natural colored tracks and 1 white colored track available, so you must choose on which railroads to build them. Doublers: The Transcontinental East and West railroads show 3 dashed spaces for doublers where you may place doublers, just like on the main railroad. 2 Industry Tracks: The USA board has two industry tracks. Advancements on the industry track can be made with an industry marker of choice and split freely between both tracks. The industry track on the bottom has the same rules as the base game. On the top industry track, you may advance onto gaps and even skip them. Instead of advancing onto the factory as usual, you move the industry marker onto the space above the gap. If the gap is occupied by a factory, you must use its function immediately. If the gap is not occupied yet, nothing happens. If you place a factory in a gap with a factory above it, you may not use the factory because the industry marker has reached it before the factory was placed. Each industry marker belongs to its own track; you may not "change tracks". Stock Market Stocks Advancement: Each time you fulfill the prerequisite for a space with the stocks advancement symbol on your player board, you advance your stock price marker one level up on the stocks board. When you are the first player to reach a new level, you move your stock price marker to the very left. Then you choose one of the displayed dividend-tokens and place it on this level onto the space showing the white star. You then immediately receive the advantage this token shows. The first player to reach a new level chooses the advantage for that level. Should you reach a level where stock price markers from one or more players have already been placed, you place your stock price marker to the right of those. Then you may receive the advantage of the dividend-token of this level. Special case: If you are on the top level already and receive a further advancement on the stock market, you leave your stock price marker in place. Instead, you receive a personal payout immediately. Personal Payout: You receive the advantages of the level where your stock price marker is and of all the levels below it. You may use them in any order and also decline to receive an advantage in parts or entirely. Steelworks: When you take the last locomotive from a pile next to a steelworks, you also take the steelworks. You may flip the steelworks and place it like a regular factory in a gap in your industry track, or you may place it back in the box. If you place it back in the box, proceed with your turn as usual. The steelworks is a slightly weaker factory. When you advance an industry marker onto the steelworks, you then receive one black track advancement. When you build a new factory, you may replace the steelworks with the new factory, even if not all 5 gaps of your industry track are filled yet. The steelworks is placed back in the box. After you have finished this turn, you proceed with a general payout. General Payout: The player who took the steelworks goes first. They receive the same advantages they have already reached, just like for the personal payout. After, all other players follow in turn order and receive all advantages they have reached with their stock price marker so far. The ?-token: Should you choose this ?-token, you first advance your stock price marker one level up and receive the advantage of the new level. Additionally, you immediately receive a personal payout. Advantages of the Dividend-Tokens: Immediately advance 1 black track by 1 space. Immediately advance 1 brown track and 1 natural track by 1 space each. Immediately advance 1 track of your choice by 1 space. Immediately advance 1 of your industry markers by 1 space. Immediately receive 1 coin from the supply. Immediately score 5 points. Fim de Jogo e Pontuação Consulte o manual para detalhes sobre esta seção. Game End Bonus The player whose stock price marker is at the top of the stocks board scores 20 points. The player in second place scores 10 points. In case of a tie, the player whose stock price marker is farther to the left scores the points. Dicas para Vencer Strategically use Detonations to clear boulder-tokens and gain immediate points, as well as open up spaces for further track or industry advancements. Pay attention to the Stock Market. Being the first to reach a new level allows you to choose the dividend-token advantage for that level, which can be a powerful benefit. Consider when to take a Steelworks. While it's a weaker factory, taking the last locomotive from a pile with a steelworks triggers a general payout, which can benefit all players but might be timed to maximize your own advantages. ## FAQ ### How many players can use the expansion? It works for 2 to 4 players, just like the base game. ### How long does a game last with the expansion? Average playtime is between 90 and 120 minutes, depending on player experience. ### Do I need to own the base game? Yes, American Railroads is a supplement that requires the original Russian Railroads. ### What is the complexity level? It retains the medium weight of the base game, about 3.4 out of 5, accessible for those familiar with worker placement. ### What new components are included? New player boards, objective cards, thematic markers, and a few extra tokens. ### Does the expansion change core rules? No, it only adds options and variants; the fundamental rules stay the same. ### Is it suitable for someone who hasn't played Russian Railroads? It's best to have the base game first; the expansion can serve as a nice incentive to learn the core. ## Price Comparison ### Best International Offers - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 18.63 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=3438756&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/19706/russian-railroads-american-railroads?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com