Game: 1854

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g3lutz — 2006-12-31T21:40:26+00:00

1854 Game in Progress BBGcon 2006

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Lord_Prussian — 2006-11-14T03:50:49+00:00

Playing 1854 at BGG.Con 2006

Thread: Re: Mountain Railroading in Austria

kirkusmaximus — 2006-10-15T05:54:23+00:00

I haven't tried it with 3 players. My impression would be that it would work ok, but the competition over the minors/privates wouldn't be quite the same as with 4-5. That should make for more synergy with the majors or add some more cutthroat token placement on the big board.

Matt

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kirkusmaximus — 2006-10-14T07:08:01+00:00

1854 Hex Stock Market, a different twist than other 18XX

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kirkusmaximus — 2006-10-14T06:57:45+00:00

1854 Mini Map with 1+, 2+ & 3+ Trains--These will teleport to Main Map

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kirkusmaximus — 2006-10-14T06:54:43+00:00

1854 Box Top

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kirkusmaximus — 2006-10-14T06:54:30+00:00

1854 clear tunnel hex overlays, another unique feature

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kirkusmaximus — 2006-10-14T06:54:03+00:00

1854 Mini Map with Tiles as it could develop

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kirkusmaximus — 2006-10-14T06:53:38+00:00

1854 Main Map on Foamcore board

Thread: Re: Mountain Railroading in Austria

Sprydle — 2006-10-06T19:14:00+00:00

Have you tried it with 3 players? Curious because 3 players happens more often than 4+ with my current group.

Thread: Mountain Railroading in Austria

kirkusmaximus — 2006-10-05T16:33:06+00:00

This game offers a number of things to separate it from the other 18XX offerings currently available.

Separate Mountain Map - There is a small map that represents a blow-up of 2 tiles on the main map. At the start of the game there are 6 local railways that operate solely on this map. They have their own set of trains available, are owned by one player with no stock market action and pay 50/50. This alone is unique, but add in the fact that these companies can merge to become Major Local railways once the first 5 train comes out and this becomes a difference maker. In particular, the merger closes the 2 locals that form the Major and puts the Major on one of the 2 hexes on the main map. Tiles are upgraded to allow for the home token of the new company. These now float on the stock market, have two 50% shares and can be valuable.

Tunnel Track - In addition to the normal track (1830 style) there are clear plastic tunnel overlay hexes that represent tunnels. These represent the problems that Austria faced when building in its mountains. In terms of gameplay it makes it possible to bypass many of the whistle stops and to get track to some places that are otherwise unreachable. Takes a bit of getting used to.

Train Mix - There are three train rushes to worry about in this game. The first is the normal train rush where 4's rust 2's, 6's rust 3's etc. The second is the local railway trains which are 1+, 2+ and 3+ and rust on a separate schedule. Finally, when the Major locals form they are able to buy only the obsolete trains from the public railway rush. They can never own a train that is currently available to publics and if they buy any 2's they will rust when a Major local buys a 4. This makes the trains a very dynamic part of this 18XX. It is a struggle to keep all the operating companies in trains.

Medium Cities - The last major difference is the medium city. These start off as 10 "hash" cities but can be upgraded to yellow circle cities and finally specialized 2 circle green tiles. The green tiles are susceptible to tokening which can really change the runs available.

Production Values - As with all the Deepthought games this one has quality components. The main map is in two parts of laminated stock on foam core board. The certs, tiles and charters are all laminated and uniformly cut. The plastic tunnel hexes are also uniformly sized and work great when stacked. The tokens are on wood and work great as always, heavy enough to stay put and light enough to not be a hassle. The only component that could be improved would be the minor local map, which is just laminated card stock. Not a big deal as it play fine as is.

Currently the 18XX game I am most likely to table.

Thread: Austrian rails & tunnels

Elf__Man — 2006-08-18T19:58:35+00:00

I have only had a single game of 1854 and have not yet rated it. (I like to play twice before rating a game.)

Notable differences from 'standard' 18xx:

Trains: Trains are from 2-8 (skipping 7) and there is an Orient Express train (8+) that can reach 'beyond the red' to Paris and Constantinople. The values of these additional offboard locations is high, and this is a tighter money game than some of the kits. Whistle stops do count to train limit.

Map: The main map consists of several mountains that need to be payed to breach. There are also several grey tiles which cannot be upgraded (but tunnels can be played... see track below). The cost aspect of laying track keeps routes effecient, but it took some time for the final routes to materialize (could have been the players...).

One of the most noteable parts of 1854 is the small map. This represents minor railways and track is utilized for both boards. The small map has several minor that do a 50/50 pay and can get cut off quick. As the late game develops, these minors can form a local railway, utilizing rusted trains and springin up from 2 pre-designated hexes. They don't produce a lot of $, but you do benefit from your initial stock round investment.

Track: Curved tiles, a la 1830, except for the Tunnels and double whistle greens. Tunnels are introduced which are clear tiles that may be played on top of other tiles. Tunnels cannot (nor can underlying track be ugraded) to have a tunne/track intersect on the same tile side. Tunnels can cross regular track, they just cannot jointly occupy the same entrance. Multiple tunnel tiles can be played on a hex, but tunnels cannot intersect. At $100, this ends up taking some preparation, and opponents should be able to disrupt major efforts if desired; but money is usually fairly tight for companies to be spending hap-hazardly.

Double whistle stops are upgraded to green tiles that allow for tokening. Thus, tokens can be very harsh in this game. Especially since the green double whistles allow for more flexibility in routes as well. (more paths available) I am used to playing with a group that uses harsh tokens frequently, so this does not bother me; but I know some players do not like 'mean token' usage... and this game has that galore.

Shares, Stock, Mail Contracts and the Market: Companies are 5 share companies until crossing a 'red line' on the stock market. (president's share is 4x par) When this is crossed, then shares devalue (cut in half) and players are reimbursed from the bank at current market value. This essentially allows companies to capitalize at 150%, which is needed for track laying. The stock market has a hexigonal shape. This allows shares to move in 2 more directions than most 18xx (remember the potential down and right of 1870 top bubble). The additional two movements are triggered by acquisition of trains from other companies.

Overall: I enjoed the game I played, but I do feel like I'm bumbling around a bit. A few companies (3) seemed better than the rest, but it could have been the instance of the one play. I have obtained the game as a kit, and will be angeling to play it again.

Length: Game play seems to reside around 300-360 minutes with experienced 18xx players.

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Aldaron — 2004-03-20T20:11:47+00:00

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Aldaron — 2004-03-20T20:11:44+00:00