
- BGG rank
- BGG #11,607
- BGG rating
- 6.4
Drones vs Goélands
- 1–2 players
- 15–20 min
- Complexity 1.8/5
- 2022

2019
Rules assistance for The Train Game
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 2 players

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
The Train Game is a board game released in 2019 for 2–7 players, 5–10 minutes per game, and ages 7 and up. It was designed by Mark Baldasso and Lauren Baldasso and its main mechanics are Hand Management, Take That, and Race.
The Train Game is a fast-paced, ‘take that’ style card game based on the Melbourne train network. The goal is to collect a full hand of train stations from the same line and the correct train card to go with them. Along the journey, expect to run into ticket inspectors and undercover ticket inspectors, forcing you to produce a ticket or pay the fine. Players may even be forced to change train lines before it’s too late. On your turn, discard one card from your hand, replacing it with the last played card (only if it is a station) or a new card from the draw pile. Action cards with special abilities include ticket inspectors, undercover ticket inspectors, ticket cards and the all-important train cards. Be sure to pay close attention to the actions of other players, especially when choosing what to discard - you don't accidentally want to hand someone else the win! The Train Game only has a handful of rules but is train loads of fun for the whole family, combining elements of strategy, speed, observance, deduction and a bit of luck. -description from designer
The Train Game supports 2–7 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 The Train Game is 5–10 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 The Train Game for ages 7 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.
The Train Game has a complexity rating of 1.0 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a 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.
The Train Game belongs to these categories: Card Game, Children's Game, and Party Game. Its main mechanics are Hand Management, Take That, and Race. 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 The Train Game are: Mark Baldasso and Lauren Baldasso. 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 The Train Game 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.