# Russian Railroads: Mini-Expansion

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2014
- **BGG Rating**: 7.7
- **BGG Rank**: —
- **Players**: 2-4 (Best with: 4)
- **Duration**: 90 min
- **Weight**: 3.67 / 5
- **Designers**: Helmut Ohley, Leonhard "Lonny" Orgler
- **Artists**: (Uncredited)
- **Publishers**: Hans im Glück
- **Categories**: Expansion for Base-game, Industry / Manufacturing, Trains
- **Mechanics**: Worker Placement

## Verdict
If you're already a fan of Russian Railroads and want more strategic options without a huge jump in complexity, this mini-expansion is a welcome addition!More engineers and factoriesNew bonus tokensMore huts availableGreat for synergy seekersDoesn't radically change the gameDepends on the base gameRECOMMENDED

## Description
Hey there, Russian Railroads fan! Ready to give your railways a boost? This mini-expansion, affectionately nicknamed 'DSP', brings some fresh additions that will shake up the board. To start, you get four brand-new engineers, ready to be placed wherever they'll bring the most profit. And to add a touch of heavy industry, there are two factories/locomotives that promise to supercharge your production and your tracks. Oh, and it doesn't stop there: nine bonus tokens are included to give you that strategic advantage at the right moment. But the most curious part is that it also includes two huts that appeared in the Stone Age: Casino expansion. Now they're available in greater quantity, adding another layer of options and synergies to your base game. If you enjoy Russian Railroads and want to add an extra kick without overcomplicating things, this expansion is perfect. It maintains the game's essence but introduces elements that can change your strategies and lead you to new scores. It's like upgrading your steam engine: more power, more options, more fun!

## How to Play
Objective of the Game
Consulte o manual para detalhes sobre esta seção.

Preparation (Setup)
General Setup

General setup, item 9: Shuffle the new engineers together with the other engineers of their group (A or B). Place the engineers as described in the rules for the setup of the base game.
No two engineers with the same number may be displayed. For example, if Dimitrij (the bearded one with number 11) has already been placed on the board, and you then draw the female engineer with number 11, put her back in the box and draw a new engineer.

Player Setup

Player setup, item 7: Additionally, each player receives one of the ?-tokens that show a ? on both sides.
From the remaining tokens, choose one more than players in the game, and place the tokens beside the board, well reachable for everyone. These ?-tokens belong to no player alone.
Next to these ?-tokens, place the tiles: ?-Factory and "2-year-plan" "Freights car".


Game Play
All rules of the base game apply.
The ?-tokens
Should you choose the double-sided ?-token, you must choose one of the openly placed ?-tokens immediately. The double-sided ?-token is placed back in the box as a sign that you already chose one of the openly placed ?-tokens.

Actions and How to Play
Engineers

Olga (A-4): You must place an unused worker on an unused engineer from another player and take the action immediately. This engineer has now been used. The manual recommends using Olga in 2-player games especially, and notes that use in 3- and 4-player games is at your own peril.
Dimitrij (B-11): Advance the gray track on one railroad as many spaces as are needed to come to a stop right behind the black track.
6x miscellany: Advance your black track marker 3 spaces and your industry marker 3 spaces immediately.
Ludmilla (A-7): You receive 5 points immediately. Additionally, choose one of the Starting Bonus cards and give the other cards to the next player according to turn order. Instead of taking a card, a player can also choose 3 points. This continues until each player has chosen either a card or 3 points. Then everyone receives the bonus on their card.
Pjotr (B-14): To use this engineer, you must place a coin instead of a worker on the engineer. You then get three advancements for the black track.

?-Tokens and Tiles

Headhunter: Choose one of the engineers still in the box immediately. Place it on the right side of your player board. You cannot choose an engineer with a number already in play.
Industrial Boom: From now on, you may double your advancements on your industry track. You may decline - also partially - to double your advancements. You cannot double advancements that you gained through ?-tokens.
?-Factory: Should you choose this ?-token, take the ?-factory and place it on your industry track. Moving your industry marker onto the ?-factory gives you two ?-tokens immediately. Apply their effects and place them on the ?-factory.
Freights car: Should you choose this ?-token, take the "Freights car"-token. Place it behind locomotives with a value of at least 3. The "Freights car" does not use up a space for a locomotive. From now on, the "Freights car" is activated each round right before the scoring phase. At this point, you get two advancements with one or two tracks of your choice on the railroad with the "Freights car".

Stone Age - "Casino"
Both "Casino" tiles are shuffled together with the other building tiles. Two piles will be one tile higher due to this. To buy a "Casino" tile, the two depicted resources need to be paid. The player then throws four or five dice. The number on the dice is added to the player's score. Important: The use of tool tiles is not allowed.

End of Game and Scoring
Consulte o manual para detalhes sobre esta seção.

Tips for Winning

When using Olga (A-4), be mindful that the manual recommends her especially for 2-player games, and warns about her use in 3- and 4-player games.
If you choose the Industrial Boom ?-token, remember you can double advancements on your industry track, but not those gained through other ?-tokens. You can also decline to double partially.
If you acquire the Freights car ?-token, strategically place it behind a locomotive of value 3 or more to gain two advancements on chosen tracks each round before scoring.

## FAQ
### Does this expansion add many new rules?
No, it focuses on adding components and strategic options to the base game, without introducing a lot of complex new rules. It's more of a 'flavoring' than a radical change.

### Do I need the base game Russian Railroads to play with this expansion?
Absolutely! This is a mini-expansion, so it only works if you already own the Russian Railroads game.

### How many players does this expansion support?
The expansion itself doesn't change the player count. It works with the same player configurations as the base game, which is for 2 to 4 players.

### Does it significantly increase the game time?
As a mini-expansion focused on worker placement and options, the impact on game time is minimal. Perhaps a few extra minutes per player to consider the new possibilities.

### Is it worth it for someone who plays infrequently?
If you play Russian Railroads occasionally and enjoy the game, yes. It adds a bit more variety without being overwhelming. If you play a lot, it's almost mandatory.

### Are the added components good quality?
Generally, the components for Russian Railroads and its expansions are of good quality, both in material and art, following the standard of the base game.