Trans-Siberian Railroad

In the late 19th century the Russian government set out to link Moscow with Vladivostok by rail, and you join the scramble as a profit‑hungry investor. The game starts with four railway companies (red, blue, green and yellow) already laid out on a Siberian map. One share of each company is auctioned in a fixed order, providing starting capital and letting the winner pick the first segment to build – the segment's value becomes the company's initial income. On your turn you may buy stock (one share or two, paying an extra $4 when buying two), construct internal links ($4 each) or external links ($8 plus $4 for each company you jump over), and collect dividends when the timing token reaches the end. To build, a company must be public (at least two shares bought) and you must hold at least as many shares as any other player. Each built link adds 2‑6 to the company’s income, and certain actions (building two links or an external link) raise the share value. When the timing token hits the finish, all shareholders receive dividends proportional to the shares they own, rounded up. If any company reaches $48 in value, the game enters Phase 2, introducing new auctions for black‑and‑white shares and the threat of nationalization. The nationalization threshold starts at $24 and climbs after each failed auction or dividend payout without nationalizations. When a company falls below that threshold it is nationalized, its shareholders get a final dividend and the shares are removed. The game ends when a company hits $75 or the dividend marker reaches the end; players then total cash on hand plus the value of public shares they still control. The player with the most money wins. The blend of auctions, stock management and network building on a large Siberian map delivers deep strategic choices while staying light enough for a roughly one‑hour playtime.