# Steam: Map Expansion #1

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2011
- **BGG Rating**: 7.8
- **BGG Rank**: —
- **Players**: 2-6 (Best with: 4)
- **Duration**: 120-240 min
- **Weight**: 3.71 / 5
- **Designers**: Morgan Dontanville
- **Artists**: Jared Blando, John Austin
- **Publishers**: Mayfair Games
- **Categories**: Expansion for Base-game, Trains, Transportation
- **Mechanics**: Auction / Bidding, Network and Route Building, Pick-up and Deliver, Tile Placement

## Verdict
If you love building railways and want fresh scenarios, this expansion serves up diverse maps.Variety of mapsNew historical themesIncreased replayLong play timeRequires base gameRECOMMENDED

## Description
Steam: Map Expansion #1 arrives as a pack of three new boards that broaden the possibilities of the base game Steam. One side features a Mid‑Atlantic United States map, perfect for 3‑7 players and set in the Civil War era, where railway empires vie for strategic routes. Flipping the board reveals two smaller maps: Belgium & Luxembourg, designed for two players building an importing empire, and the Brussels Metro, supporting three players focused on developing intercity transit. In addition to the new boards, the expansion adds an extra tile sheet, allowing more variation in tracks and delivery strategies. The core mechanics stay the same – auction, network building, pick‑up and deliver, and tile placement – but the fresh terrain introduces different challenges, such as handling European borders or the American geography of the period. Play time can stretch to four hours with larger groups, yet the map variety makes the extra time worthwhile, offering endless replay. If you already love the base game, you’ll enjoy exploring these new scenarios; if you haven’t tried Steam yet, it’s best to play the core game first before diving into expansions. In short, Map Expansion #1 is a geographic upgrade that enriches the railway experience with new historical and logistical contexts.

## FAQ
### How many players can use each map?
The US map supports 3‑7 players, Belgium & Luxembourg is for 2 players, and the Brussels Metro works with 3 players.

### How long does a game last with the expansion?
Depending on the map and player count, sessions run between 2 and 4 hours.

### Do I need the base Steam game?
Yes, Map Expansion #1 is a supplement and requires the base Steam game to play.

### What new components are included?
Three double‑sided boards and an extra tile sheet for additional track pieces.

### Is it suitable for beginners?
The expansion assumes knowledge of Steam’s rules; newcomers should start with the base game first.

## Price Comparison
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