- BGG rating
- 7.4
Trains: Map Pack 1 – Germany/Northeastern USA
- 2–4 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 2.4/5
- 2012
- BGG rank
- BGG #839
- BGG rating
- 7.1
Trains
2012
Rules assistance for Trains
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–4 players
- 45 min
- 12+
- Complexity 2.4/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Trains
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Trains is a board game released in 2012 for 2–4 players, 45 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Hisashi Hayashi and its main mechanics are Hand Management, Network and Route Building, and Deck, Bag, and Pool Building.
Expansions
- BGG rating
- 7.6
Trains: Nagoya Map
- 2–4 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2012
Trains: Touhoku Map
- 2–4 players
- 45 min
- 2012
- BGG rating
- 7.4
Trains: Gen Con 2013
- 2–4 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2013
- BGG rating
- 7.6
Trains: Saitama & Texas
- 2 players
- Complexity 3.0/5
- 2014
- BGG rating
- 7.3
Trains: Bay Area & China
- 2–4 players
- 2015
- BGG rating
- 7.6
Trains: Map Pack 2 – Europe/Italy/California
- 2–4 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 2.5/5
- 2015
- BGG rating
- 8.0
Trains: Coastal Tides
- 2–4 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2017
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- Complexity 1.2/5
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- 30–60 min
- Complexity 1.8/5
- 2017
About the game
In the 19th century, shortly after the industrial revolution, railways quickly spread over the world. Japan, importing Western culture and eager to become one of the Grand Nations, saw the birth of many private railway companies and entered the Golden Age of railways. Eventually, as a result of the actions of powerful people and capitalists, many of these smaller companies gradually merged into larger ones. In Trains, the players are such capitalists, managing private railways companies and striving to become bigger and better than the competition. The game takes place during the 19th and 20th century in the 2012 OKAZU Brand edition, whereas the 2013 AEG/Pegasus edition is set in modern times, with bullet trains, freight trains and more. You will start with a small set of cards, but by building a more effective deck throughout the game, you will be able to place stations and lay rails over the maps of Osaka, Tokyo or other locations. The trick is to purchase the cards you want to use, then use them as effectively as possible. Gain enough points from your railways and you will ultimately manage the most powerful railroads in modern Japan! Trains is the first title in AEG's Destination Fun series! Continue your travels in the acclaimed Planes and Automobiles board games. Integrates with Trains: Rising Sun
Designers
Publishers
- Pegasus Spiele
- Game Harbor
- Filosofia Éditions
- Alderac Entertainment Group
- Japon Brand
- OKAZU Brand
Questions and answers
Trains 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 Trains is 45 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 Trains 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.
Trains has a complexity rating of 2.4 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.
Trains belongs to these categories: Card Game, Territory Building, and Trains. Its main mechanics are Hand Management, Network and Route Building, and Deck, Bag, and Pool 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 Trains are: Hisashi Hayashi. 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 Trains 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.