- BGG rank
- BGG #3,849
- BGG rating
- 6.6
Rail Baron
- 3–6 players
- 180–240 min
- Complexity 2.3/5
- 1977
- BGG rank
- BGG #10,958
- BGG rating
- 6.5
Boxcars
1974
Rules assistance for Boxcars
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 180 min
- 13+
- Complexity 2.5/5
Rules assistant for Boxcars
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Boxcars is a board game released in 1974 for 2–6 players, 180 minutes per game, and ages 13 and up. It was designed by R. S. Erickson and Thomas F. Erickson, Jr. and its main mechanics are Roll / Spin and Move.
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About the game
From the entry for Rail Baron: BOXCARS is the predecessor of Rail Baron. In the late 1960s or early 1970s, previously unknown designers R.S. Erickson and T.F. Erickson, Jr. began boardgame development. In an era when both the railroad and board gaming industry was in flux, the Ericksons managed to combine elements from the two to create a game that has withstood the test of time. In fact, it provided solid footing for the whole "train gaming" genre. The Ericksons decided to publish the game on their own, and released it as "BOXCARS" in 1974. It was billed as "The Informative NEW travel game of OLD-time railroading." For a first-time effort, the components of the resulting boardgame were surprisingly refined and professional. The single-piece board unfolded to reveal a map of the United States on which routes of 28 historic railroads were traced. The rules of BOXCARS vary from those of Rail Baron in several ways. For example, BOXCARS has no restriction in the re-use of routes: this allows players to circle along the same track as long as desired. BOXCARS also allows a player to trade, sell or auction a RR at any time during the game. Furthermore, BOXCARS lacks the Express and Superchief locomotive upgrades that Rail Baron contains. Before long, the Ericksons' game caught the attention of The Avalon Hill Game Company (AH). The original designers apparently sold the BOXCARS rights to AH and were obligated to quickly disperse the remaining copies of their game. It is estimated that there were only 1000 copies of BOXCARS ever printed. AH scaled down the game's physical size to match the "bookshelf" style of many of its other titles, modified the rules, and released it as Rail Baron in 1977. (Description adapted with permission from "An Illustrated History of Rail Baron")
Editions
- BoxcarsenRio Grande Games2013
- Boxcarsen(Self-Published)1974
Categories
Mechanics
Publishers
- (Self-Published)
- Rio Grande Games
Questions and answers
Boxcars supports 2–6 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 Boxcars is 180 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 Boxcars for ages 13 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.
Boxcars has a complexity rating of 2.5 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light 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.
Boxcars belongs to these categories: Economic, Trains, and Transportation. Its main mechanics are Roll / Spin and Move. 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 Boxcars are: R. S. Erickson and Thomas F. Erickson, Jr.. 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 Boxcars 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.