1836

About this board game

1836 is a railroad board game for 3–5 players, set in Ohio during the state’s early railroad boom, with an approximately 150-minute playing time.

Ohio had more than 30 independent early railroads running throughout the state. Its navigable waterways, existing canals, and often flat terrain helped make it a boom state for railroads at the beginning of the Railroad Era.

The game’s setting reflects a period of rapid development and changing fortunes. When larger, better-known railroads such as the Pennsylvania Railroad, Baltimore & Ohio, and New York Central finally reached Ohio, they generally purchased the smaller pioneer lines or leased their trackage for 99 years.

Ohio also offered incentives for building these early railroads, encouraging further expansion across the state. While the railroad industry benefited from this growth, the canal owners were far less pleased by the changes taking place around them.

• Setting: Ohio during the beginning of the Railroad Era
• Players: 3–5
• Playing time: Approximately 150 minutes
• Goal: Finish with the most money

In 1836, the historical landscape of independent railroads, established canals, state incentives, and expanding major lines provides the backdrop for a focused game of railroad-era competition. Released in 2019, it offers a window into Ohio’s transformation as the new rail network began to reshape the state.