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From: jeff@hpcnoe.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.games.board
Subject: Re: Rail Baron Strategies
Message-ID: <37800026@hpcnoe.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 11-Dec-85 14:33:00 EST
Article-I.D.: hpcnoe.37800026
Posted: Wed Dec 11 14:33:00 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 23-Dec-85 00:17:45 EST
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Organization: 11 Dec 85 12:33:00 MST
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> So what are my top ten?  That varies, of course, depending on what has
> been bought and what strategy I'm playing, but in general.

True, I think being flexible should be an important part of the strategy.
Overall I think your strategy is fairly sound, I have few comments however...

> (2) SAL/ACL/L&N/SOU for access to the SE.  Despite the fact that the SE is
> the least visited region

I think Plains and NorthWest are less visited than SouthEast (working from
memory).

> (3) ATSF/SP/Superchief/UP/WP & DGRW.  The ATSF is the prime buy amongst the
> $40+ railroads because it removes the need to buy a center railroad as well.
> However, it does not give access to the SF area, which can be hazardous.

I think ATSF is a good coverage railroad, the problem with it is that is
is difficult to complement it without duplication of area.  Actually I
have never bought the AT&SF because other people I play with want it more
than I do.  I think ATSF goes to SF (working from memory again).

> The SP, on the other hand, gives great access but in a roundabout manner, so
> that you'll not often see the SP player paying tolls, but instead being
> forced to take round-about routes.

Round about routes don't get travelled on, so they don't make income either.
One of my strategies is to buy SP, DRG&W, and MP.  The combination makes a
very nice and efficient route to the West (and you don't need a NW railroad
as bad either.

>                                     I don't particularly like the UP

UP has the problem of hooking up with Chicago.  You need GM&O or SLSF.  But
it hooks up nicely with WP.

> favor a Superchief ahead of the UP.

I don't like buying a superchief in the middle of buying... either do it
before or after buying railroads.  When you buy a superchief in the middle,
you might not have a chance to buy any more railroads, which will hurt in
the end-game.  Buying it as the first purchase gives you enough time to
earn back the difference and end up owning as many railroads as if you didn't
buy a Superchief.

> Finally, the WP & DGRW combo is the cheap route west, but its hard to get
> both halves without sacrificing some early game buys.

I buy the DGRW as the first purchase.  The reason:  1.  It is cheap so I
can save up for the big railroads,  2.  It sells well later if you need
to auction it off,  3.  if it looks like you are going to be shut out of
the SW, you can buy WP and get close (for a $14,000 investment).

> (4) CMSP&P/GP/NP.  The route across the top of the board isn't particularly
important unless you have the ATSF and no other way to the West.

NP is a good money maker, the little stretch between Seattle and Portland
gets travelled by CMST&P owners and SP owners.  It also hooks up with CB&Q.

>                                                -- Scott Turner

All the above analysis have been from experience playing with 5 players.
If you play with other numbers, you results may vary.

-- Jeff Wu