1826: Railroading in France and Belgium from 1826

About this board game

1826: Railroading in France and Belgium from 1826 is a moderately complex 18xx railway game for 2–6 players, with a playing time of 210 minutes.

Covering the full period of Franco-Belgian railroading, from its origins to the present day, the game reflects how closely both countries developed their railway systems under government supervision. Its historical scope includes the two major French nationalizations, post-war electrification, and the introduction of high-speed rail through the TGV.

Rather than centering on extensive stock market manipulation or purely financial management, 1826 focuses on railway operations. The central challenge is technology management: getting the right trains onto the right companies as the network and available technology develop.

• Incrementally funded companies that can buy and sell their own stock
• Companies that begin as five-share corporations and can convert to ten-share corporations upon reaching their destination
• Train classes with changing range systems, from hex-based movement to city-based range
• Two merger corporations, with opportunities to form at different stages of the tile progression

The first four train classes, including the first-generation permanent trains, have ranges of 2, 4, 6, or 10 hexes rather than city counts. The final two train classes are permanent and use range in cities, creating a distinct transition in how train capabilities are evaluated.

Two merger corporations add further strategic possibilities. One may form relatively early, when green tiles become available, while the other has its first opportunity when brown tiles arrive. For experienced 18xx players seeking an operationally centered alternative to more familiar titles such as 1830, 1856, and 1870, 1826 offers a focused journey through France and Belgium’s railway history.