Rail Baron - The Short Game Variant
The following is a variant designed by Gary Gygax (D&D Fame) and originally appeared in a Rail Baron article published in Dragon magazine. This variant nicely retains the fun and interesting portion of the game (those initial Railroad company purchases and acquiring the money to build your empire). It avoids the frustrating late game long and depressing downward spiral towards bankrupcy for some players. And it also removes the unconventional final train chase sequence of the game. This variant probably shaves at least an hour off of the overall game.
- The game is played with all the original rules (plus select optional rules at the group's discretion) until the last Railroad company is bought.
- The player who purchases the last Railroad company rolls one six-sided die and the game continues (starting with the next player) for that number of complete rounds (i.e. where all players get a turn). The game ends with the player who bought the last Railroad company.
- After the game ends, each player adds up his total net worth (Cash on hand + printed purchase value of all their Railroad companies + their current train value = Net worth).
- The player with the greatest net worth wins and is the true Rail Baron!
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Page Last Updated: 8/28/03