Railways of England and Wales

About this expansion

Railways of England and Wales is a 2009 expansion for 2–5 players, with games lasting approximately 120 minutes. Set in mid-19th-century England, it invites players to pursue the title of the first Rail Baron.

The setting reflects a period of rapid railway development. Tramways originally used to transport coal have been upgraded to railways, while numerous companies using different railway gauges connect villages, towns, and cities across the country.

Railways of England and Wales includes two distinct sets of rules, offering different ways to experience its railway-building setting:

• The first follows the established gameplay of the Railways of the World series.
• The second is a new game by Martin Wallace, featuring a new share system and an economic engine that builds upon the Railways of the World engine.

As the railway network develops, the small companies are eventually merged into the Big Four, reflecting the consolidation described in the game’s historical setting. The advanced share-system rules provide the expansion’s most distinctive variation on the series’ economic foundation.

Railways of England and Wales debuted at Origins 2009 and is now out of print. It was replaced in 2013 by Railways of Great Britain, although that later game excludes the Advanced Game – Share System rules. The share-system rules are also noted as similar to Steam Barons.