Ride the Rails

About this board game

Ride the Rails is a board game for 3–5 players that takes about 60 minutes, challenging you to invest in railroad companies, build railway track across the United States, and deliver passengers to cities.

Each round introduces a new railroad company, and every company has its own special placement rules. As the rail network expands, you must plan your travels and find opportunities to deliver passengers to as many cities as possible.

Passenger deliveries are central to your score, but your decisions also affect the shareholders of the railroads you use. Be cautious when choosing your routes, since shareholders of those companies will earn points as well.

• Invest in railroad companies as the game develops.
• Build railway track across the United States.
• Deliver passengers to as many cities as possible.
• Watch your routes, since railroad shareholders can benefit from your travels.

The setting evokes the excitement of a busy station, with travelers preparing for journeys from Chicago to Denver and San Francisco. The arrival of the train, the movement of passengers, and the loading of luggage create a vivid cross-country railroad theme.

Ride the Rails is the second title in Capstone Games’ Iron Rail series. With its combination of expanding routes, changing railroad companies, passenger delivery, and shareholder scoring, it offers a focused rail-building experience for groups of three to five.