1830: The Game of Railroads and Robber Barons (1986)

1830 is one of the most famous 18xx games. One of the things some gamers like about this game is that the game has 'no chance' element. That is to say, if players wished to play two games with the same moves, the outcome would be the same also. This game takes the basic mechanics from Tresham's 1829, and adds several new elements. Players are seeking to make the most money by buying and selling stock in various share companies located on eastern United States map. The stock manipulation aspect of the game is widely-regarded as one of the best. The board itself is actually a fairly abstract hexagonal system, with track tiles placed on top of the hexes. Plus each 18xx title adds new and different elements to the game. This game features private rail companies and an extremely vicious, 'robber baron' oriented stock market. A game is finished when the bank runs out of money, and the player with the greatest personal holdings wins.

Magazine References:

The GENERAL Index Article List:

• The GENERAL Vol.23,No.6
  • 1830: The Game of Railroads and Robber Barons – “A Very Good Year - Development Notes for 1830” (Development Notes) by Bruce Shelley
  • 1830: The Game of Railroads and Robber Barons – “Take a Ride on the Reading - Variants for 1830” (Variants) by Alan R. Moon
  • 1830: The Game of Railroads and Robber Barons – “All Aboard - A Ride on the 1830 Express” (Strategy) by Edward Fahrmeier
• The GENERAL Vol.26,No.6
  • 1830: The Game of Railroads and Robber Barons – “A Bed of Steel - Strategy in 1830” (Strategy) by Alan Applebaum

Microbadge:

Related Microbadges:

Pennsylvania Railroad
New York Central
Baltimore & Ohio
Boston & Maine

Wolfram Janich sells two expansions: 1830-Nickel Plate and 1830-Extension Box with 2 Random Maps and the Wabash Cannon Ball Variant.