# Ultimate Railroads ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2021 - **BGG Rating**: 8.4 - **BGG Rank**: — - **Players**: 1-4 (Best with: 2) - **Duration**: 90-120 min - **Weight**: 3.26 / 5 - **Designers**: Helmut Ohley, Leonhard "Lonny" Orgler - **Artists**: Claus Stephan, Martin Hoffmann - **Publishers**: Hans im Glück, BoardM Factory, Devir, Lanlalen, Swan Panasia Co., Ltd., Z-Man Games - **Categories**: Industry / Manufacturing, Trains - **Mechanics**: End Game Bonuses, Tech Trees / Tech Tracks, Turn Order: Claim Action, Worker Placement ## Verdict Perfect for those who love optimization Euros and want the full experience in a single box.Massive and definitive contentVery satisfying tech progressionHigh replayability with multiple expansionsRobust and functional solo modeSlightly steep learning curveCan be punishing for beginnersHIGHLY RECOMMENDED ## Description Get ready to lay the tracks and dominate railway logistics! In Ultimate Railroads, you enter a frantic competition to build the most efficient and advanced transport network possible. The game is a true exercise in optimization: you'll need to allocate your workers with precision to expand your lines, but growth alone isn't enough; you must evolve. The master stroke here lies in modernization. Starting with simple tracks is the quick route, but investing in technology and state-of-the-art locomotives is what truly makes the difference, allowing you to cover greater distances and produce with much higher efficiency. And don't forget the engineers! When used at the right moment, they provide that strategic boost that sends your empire racing past the competition. The great advantage of this 'Ultimate' version is that it is the definition of 'complete'. Forget about buying multiple separate packs. Here you have the base game (Russian Railroads) and absolutely all expansions: German Railroads and American Railroads, as well as promotional items like Juri Dreigleisky, New Engineers, and the Manufactory Train. To top it all off, the box includes the new Asian Railroads expansion and a dedicated solo variant for those who enjoy playing alone. If you enjoy Euro games where every action counts and resource management is tight, this title is a perfect fit. There are multiple paths to victory, so the question is: will you lead the railway industrial revolution or will you derail while others steam ahead? It's a medium-heavy weight game, ideal for those who love racking their brains to plan the best route to success. ## How to Play Game Objective In Ultimate Railroads, players take on the role of railway entrepreneurs in 19th-century Russia, competing to build the most profitable train network. The goal is to score the most victory points by developing routes, acquiring locomotives, advancing industrialization, and hiring engineers. The game lasts 7 rounds, and the winner is the player with the most points after final scoring. Setup For 4 players, follow these steps: Place the main board at the center of the table (3-4 player side). Organize the locomotives (#2 to #10) into separate stacks, numbered in ascending order. Distribute components to each player: 1 individual board (matching color). 1 locomotive #1 placed on the starting route. 5 workers and 1 coin. 1 industry track and 1 wrench. Prepare the turn order, endgame bonus, and engineer cards as described on pages 4-6 of the manual. Refer to the manual for details on placing extra pieces, such as idea tokens and scoring tiles. Game Flow The game is divided into 7 rounds, each with the following phases: Player Turns: In order determined by the turn order track, each player chooses an action (or passes). Scoring Phase: After all players pass, points are calculated based on routes and industrialization. Preparation for Next Round: Reorganize the turn order and move any unhired engineers. Direct actions (on the board) must be fully resolved, while indirect actions (from engineers) may be partial. Actions and How to Play During your turn, you may perform one of the following actions: Track Extension: Spend workers to advance tracks on routes (p.8). You may split movements between routes. Locomotives/Factories: Acquire locomotives for your routes or flip them as factories on the industry track (p.10-12). Industrialization: Advance your wrench on the industry track to gain benefits (p.13). Auxiliary Actions: Obtain multiplier tokens to multiply points. Collect coins (replace workers in actions). Hire engineers (p.15). Refer to the manual for details on special route spaces (p.18-19), such as earning extra workers or keys. End of Game and Scoring The game ends after the 7th round. Final scoring includes: Routes: Points for spaces reached by locomotives (p.20). Tracks of different colors are worth more. Industrialization: Points based on the wrench's position on the track. Bonuses: Endgame cards and engineer benefits. The player with the most points wins. In case of a tie, the player with the most #10 locomotives wins. Tips to Win Prioritize higher-tier tracks (bronze/silver/gold) to multiply points (p.8-9). Use factories strategically on the industry track to unlock extra actions (p.12-13). Hire engineers to access exclusive actions and additional scoring (p.15). ## FAQ ### What's included in this 'Ultimate' version? Everything! The Russian Railroads base game, the German, American, and Asian expansions, plus various promotional items and the solo mode. ### Is the game too difficult? It has a BGG weight of 3.25, making it an 'Expert' game. It's not impossible, but it requires careful planning and attention to the rules. ### Can I play it solo? Yes! This version includes a specific solo variant for those who want to test their strategies on their own. ### How long does a game last? Usually between 90 and 120 minutes, depending on the number of players and their experience level. ### Who do you recommend this game for? For those who enjoy management games, network building, and that feeling of 'getting stronger' through tech trees. ## Price Comparison ### Best Offers in Brazil - **R$ 90,68**: R$ 90,68 (https://www.comparajogos.com.br/api/redirect?to=237480) - See all on Compara Jogos: https://www.comparajogos.com.br/item/ultimate-railroads ### Best International Offers - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 113.49 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=3964547&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/39640/ultimate-railroads?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com