Description
A pencil and paper game of building railway networks for one or more players.
30 Rails is played on a 6 x 6 grid of squares.
First, each player draws mountains, a mine and four stations on their sheet. The game then consists of thirty turns which will fill the remainder of the grid with track.
Each turn two dice are rolled. One die will determine which track type is placed, the other gives constraints as to where the track can be placed.
The winner is the player who can connect most stations to each other, and to the mine.
The advanced game adds shares. Players are required to buy shares in any particular line in order to score for it, but choosing the right moment to do so gives flexibility to track placement.
Designed for the 2016 One Page PNP Contest
Video Review
Player feedback
The forums at BoardGameGeek often have good discussions about gameplay.
We have selected some of the best links below. (Links will open in a new window or tab)
Popular discussion topics
Discussions about modifying the game with new rules or ideas to make the game easier or harder.
- 30 Rails XL – expanded variant
- Water version
- Variant – Crossing out additional square for “Mountain Pass”
- Tunnel variant
Files
A selection of files from BoardGameGeek. Links will open in a new window or tab.
30 Rails – Rules
Rules for 30 Rails in English, including solo, multiplayer, basic and advanced.
>> Click to download PDF <<
30 Rails – Gamesheet
Gamesheet for 30 Rails, basic game. 1 sheet required per player.
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30 Rails – Gamesheet (advanced game)
Gamesheet for 30 Rails, advanced game. 1 sheet required per player.
>> Click to download PDF <<
30 Rails – Gamesheet (Combined – Basic and Advanced)
Gamesheet for 30 Rails, combined version with basic and advanced games on the same sheet. 1 sheet required per player.
>> Click to download PDF <<
30 Rails – Rules for official variant – The River
Rules for an official variant for 30 Rails – The River
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30 rails – tiles for PnP
these tiles are suited for my homemade board (image 3438591)
>> Click to download PDF <<
30 Rails XL – Rules (expanded variant)
Updated:
Clarification regarding the factory / station “4”.
Fixed two minor typos.
>> Click to download PDF <<
30 Rails Variant: Edelweiss Alpine Country Rules
Rules for 30 Rails Variant: Edelweiss Alpine Country
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30 Rails Variant: Edelweiss Alpine Country
This is a variant of 30 rails that tweaks scoring and allows for players to use dice to lay track OR add images to their player sheet.
Tourists and visitors from around the world want to see the beauty of the Swiss Alps. You goal is to build a network of scenic train routes through the mountains that can showcase the area’s majestic beauty. Players can lay track or use dice to populate the alpine landscape with wildflowers, deer or goats that score points at the end of the game!
>> Click to download PDF <<