18Ruhr

18Ruhr is a railway game in the 18xx series, in which players buy and sell shares in railway companies. The companies earn money for their shareholders by laying track, building stations, and running trains. The special feature of 18Ruhr compared to other 18xx games are the coal mines and steel mills, which are independent companies with their own shares. There are interdependencies between the railway companies and the mines and mills which reflect the development of the Ruhr during the 19th century. From publishers website: '18Ruhr Version 2 reflects the railway history of the Ruhr area together with the development of its major industries, steel and coal. These are referenced to as Montan industries in the game. At the beginning of the game there are 8 private Montan companies (pMCs) on offer, 4 steel mills and 4 coal mines. After they have been bought, shares of the seven railway corporations may be purchased. During the Operating Rounds both types of industry invest in equipment and generate income. Montan companies and railway corporations use for their investments the same set of Capex Cards which have replaced the train cards in other 18xx-games. Despite the Montan companies do not build railway tracks, it is essential for their development to get connected to the railway net! This will enable them to be converted into one of the six Montan Corporations and survive until the end of the game. The conversion of the pMCs will take place from a certain point onwards before each Stock Round during the Montan Round. The conversion is only possible when there is a railway link to the location of the pMC. In addition it is possible to merge pMCs with Montan Corporation. The game contains 18 pMCs of which 8 being selcted for the starting package at the beginning of the game based on one of the five scenarios. The remaining pMC will take place in the game as well but only with a passive role. Their location may be linked to the railway net and will increase the value of the routes including their location hex. During the Montan Round the linked passive pMCs may be used for founding a Montan Corporation as well. The trains in 18Ruhr Version 2 are so-called "+"trains. A "2+2"train for example may connect up to 4 towns of which not more than 2 may be large towns. Trains of the railway corporations may be bought by the Montan companies and become switch engines. The latter increase the income of the Montan companies.'