- BGG rating
- 7.3
1867: The Railways of Canada
- 3–6 players
- 180–360 min
- Complexity 3.4/5
- 2015
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,775
- BGG rating
- 7.4
1861: The Railways of the Russian Empire
2006
Rules assistance for 1861: The Railways of the Russian Empire
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 3–6 players
- 180–360 min
- 12+
- Complexity 4.2/5
For 3 players
Rules assistant for 1861: The Railways of the Russian Empire
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
1861: The Railways of the Russian Empire is a board game released in 2006 for 3–6 players, 180–360 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Ian D. Wilson and its main mechanics are Auction / Bidding, Tile Placement, and Network and Route Building.
Expansions
About the game
1861 is an 18xx variant set in Russia. 1861's defining characteristics include: 16 minor companies that are put up for auction during stock rounds, minors having the opportunity to merge or convert in to major corporations, and a non-player controlled government railway.
Designers
Publishers
- JKLM Games
- All-Aboard Games
Questions and answers
1861: The Railways of the Russian Empire supports 3–6 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for 1861: The Railways of the Russian Empire is 180–360 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists 1861: The Railways of the Russian Empire for ages 12 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
1861: The Railways of the Russian Empire has a complexity rating of 4.2 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a heavy game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
1861: The Railways of the Russian Empire belongs to these categories: Economic and Trains. Its main mechanics are Auction / Bidding, Tile Placement, and Network and Route Building. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of 1861: The Railways of the Russian Empire are: Ian D. Wilson. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists 1861: The Railways of the Russian Empire as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.