1829 Northern Board

About this board game

1829 Northern Board is an 18xx board game for 2–9 players, with an approximate playing time of 360 minutes. Published in 1981, it is the second 18xx game ever published.

Often called 1829 North, it is broadly based on the original 1829 game while introducing a different map covering Northern England and Scotland. It also features a different set of corporations and includes several minor rule changes.

Many companies from the original 1829 are used in the Northern versions. The game also brings back the surveyor, a feature that was abandoned when 1830 was published in 1986.

• Northern England and Scotland map
• A different selection of corporations
• Minor rules changes from the original 1829
• The returning surveyor

Large portions of the 1829 Northern Board map overlap sections of the original 1829 board. However, the rules do not explain how to combine the two games. Francis Tresham, designer of both 1829 games as well as 1830 and Civilization, considered a combined game too large and unwieldy.

Experimentation has nevertheless remained part of the 18xx community. Fans have created variations using different locations, including combinations of the Northern and Southern boards. Several extension kits are associated with 1829 Northern Board, including MSK 1, MSK 2, MSK 3, MSK 5, and MSK 6.

For players interested in the development of the 18xx system, 1829 Northern Board offers a distinct regional setting while retaining a close connection to the original game.