Russian Railroads

About this board game

Welcome to the exciting world of Russian Railroads, a thrilling strategy board game that takes you on a historical journey through the vast expanses of Russia’s railway system. Developed by Helmut Ohley and Leonhard “Lonny” Orgler, Russian Railroads is a game steeped in historical context and strategic depth.

In Russian Railroads, each player takes on the role of a railroad entrepreneur in late 19th century Russia, tasked with developing their own personal railway network. Your ultimate goal is to create the most extensive and efficient rail system, using every tool and resource at your disposal to score the highest number of victory points.

The setting of the game is deeply rooted in the historical development of Russia’s railway system. You’ll start your journey in Moscow and expand your network across the vastness of Russia, reaching out to far-flung locations such as Siberia and the Far East. The game’s richly illustrated game board and components bring this period of industrial revolution to life.

At the core of Russian Railroads are several key mechanics that will challenge your strategic thinking and decision-making skills. These include:

• Worker Placement: Use your workers strategically to perform various actions on the game board. These actions can help you build your railroads, upgrade your locomotives, hire engineers, and more.
• Progress Tracks: Expand your railroads along different progress tracks, each offering its own set of rewards and challenges.
• Engineer Abilities: Hire engineers to gain special abilities and advantages that can give you the edge over your competitors.
• Scoring System: Points are scored in a variety of ways, including the length of your railroads, the level of your locomotives, and the completion of certain objectives.

What makes Russian Railroads truly unique is its deep strategic gameplay and the multiple paths to victory it offers. The game requires careful planning and foresight, as well as the ability to adapt to changing situations. Despite its complexity, Russian Railroads remains accessible and engaging, offering an immersive gaming experience that will captivate both new and seasoned players.