Pacific Rails Inc.

About this board game

Pacific Rails Inc. is a 2020 board game for 2–4 players that takes about 90 minutes, challenging rival railway presidents to connect the east and west coasts by building the Transcontinental Railroad.

Using worker placement and resource management, players assemble efficient teams, plan their routes, and compete to build a continuous track across the board. The game ends when the two sides meet, so timing and careful preparation are essential for creating the best railway.

On your turn, place a worker on an action or remove one already in play. Placing a worker next to one of your own can power up the action, making the order of your decisions especially important. Watch your opponents closely, too: blocking their plans may prevent a powerful sequence of actions.

• Build and manage a team of workers, beginning with your foreman.
• Hire Specialists who can help build track, lobby Congress, and provide powerful actions.
• Use carriage bonuses to strengthen your engine and chain actions together.
• Plan routes by preparing the right tracks for different terrain.
• Choose which cities to connect and which to skip while pursuing valuable opportunities.

Each connection to the next city must be completed in a single action, meaning that missing even one required track can disrupt your plans. Connected cities can also offer points when rival players use them, adding another reason to consider both your route and your opponents’ choices.

Beyond its strategic gameplay, Pacific Rails Inc. features highly detailed artwork by Damien Mammoliti, known for work on Brass, Nocturion, and other games. From the box cover to the board, the visual presentation brings this ambitious railway race to life.