- BGG rank
- BGG #23,844
- BGG rating
- 6.2
Cargo Express
- 2–4 players
- 45–75 min
- 2019
- BGG rank
- BGG #19,112
- BGG rating
- 6.0
Cargotrain
2014
Rules assistance for Cargotrain
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–4 players
- 60 min
- 10+
- Complexity 2.6/5
Rules assistant for Cargotrain
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Cargotrain is a board game released in 2014 for 2–4 players, 60 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Krzysztof Matusik and its main mechanics are Set Collection, Track Movement, and Simultaneous Action Selection.
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About the game
CargoTrain is a fast-paced card game with a train theme. Deliver as much cargo to the factories as you can. Plan carefully. Invest wisely. Anticipate your opponents' moves, and deliver the most stock in the quickest way possible. And, what’s most important, fulfill trade contracts. Let your adversaries watch the sparks fly from under the wheels of your dashing train! Every turn in this game is divided into two phases. First is the planning phase, in which players plan their moves by playing move cards. Next is the action phase; this is the heart of the game. Players reveal their move cards one by one and perform actions (load cargo, deliver cargo, upgrade train, switch cargo order on the stations, pick up a new contract). There are many possibilities; players must choose wisely and plan ahead their moves. The gameboard is made from cards and players change it during the game.
Categories
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Game Fabrica
Questions and answers
Cargotrain supports 2–4 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 Cargotrain is 60 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 Cargotrain for ages 10 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.
Cargotrain has a complexity rating of 2.6 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.
Cargotrain belongs to these categories: Card Game, Trains, and Transportation. Its main mechanics are Set Collection, Track Movement, and Simultaneous Action Selection. 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 Cargotrain are: Krzysztof Matusik. 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 Cargotrain 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.