First Train to Nuremberg

About this board game

First Train to Nuremberg is a railway strategy game for 2–4 players, with games lasting about 120 minutes. Set during the rapid expansion of 19th-century rail transport, it puts you in the role of a railway promoter seeking profit from passengers and goods.

Your company is backed by investments from hundreds of local landowners, but building railway lines requires more than money. Local opposition can block your plans, making government influence essential for gaining access to the land you need.

You must also develop relationships with major railway operators. Since your company cannot operate its own engine works, contacts help you acquire second-hand trains and rolling stock. Support from the two local railway companies is equally important: without it, you cannot connect to their networks or negotiate the sale of lines when they become unprofitable.

• Build railway lines designed to generate profit from passengers and goods.
• Use influence to overcome local opposition and extend your network.
• Acquire second-hand trains and rolling stock through industry contacts.
• Transport passengers, beer, and mail while pursuing victory points.

Passenger transport includes a new first-class option. First-class passengers provide more victory points, but they require more expensive trains, creating an important balance between investment and reward. You may also gain extra points by achieving the first connection between Nuremberg and Fürth.

As a revised edition of Last Train to Wensleydale, First Train to Nuremberg offers a version designed for two players while supporting up to four. The reverse side of the board allows you to play the original game, with slight rule changes adapted to that map.